Financial Planning Process and Insurance

The course begins with a presentation of the basics that form the foundation of knowledge you need as a working financial services professional. The financial planning process as well as the legal, ethical, and regulatory issues affecting financial planners, and time value of money concepts are covered. The course continues with a discussion of the principles of risk management and insurance, allowing you to identify a client's risk exposure and select appropriate risk management techniques.

Topics:

• Introduction to the Financial Planning Process
• Regulatory & Ethical Considerations for Financial Planners 
• Introduction to the Time Value of Money 
• Introduction to the Insurance Industry 
• Introduction to Risk Management & Related Legal Issues 
• Introduction to Life Insurance & Annuities 
• The Life Insurance Selection Process 
• Health Care Plans 
• Disability Income & Long-Term Care Insurance 
• Property & Liability Insurance

Investment Planning

May 8 & 22 and June 5 & 19, 2010

In this course you'll learn about the wide variety of investment vehicles that may be included in a client's portfolio, as well as client assessment, tax considerations, economic factors, valuation methods, asset allocation techniques, portfolio performance evaluation, and more. Having the knowledge to choose the right investments is essential for implementing your clients' financial plans–and ensuring their confidence in you.

Topics:

• Security Markets
• Investment Risk & Return 
• Modern Portfolio Theory 
• Common Stock Valuation & Performance Measurement 
• Security Analysis 
• Features of Fixed Income Securities 
• Valuation & Analysis of Fixed-Income Investments 
• Derivatives 
• Real Assets 
• Mutual Funds & Foreign Investments

July 10 & 31 and August 14 & 28, 2010

Because taxes affect virtually every financial decision, having timely knowledge of tax laws and issues greatly enhances your effectiveness as a financial professional-and broadens your opportunities to do business. This course emphasizes the fundamentals of individual income taxation, the tax implications of various types of businesses, tax-advantaged investments, employee compensation issues and planning, alternative minimum tax, tax traps, and more.

Topics:

• Income Tax Concepts, Basic Terminology & Tax Calculations
• Tax Accounting & Forms of Business 
• Income Tax Aspects of Property Acquisitions & Introduction to Property Dispositions 
• Income Tax Aspects of the Disposition of Property 
• Passive Activity Losses & Related Topics 
• Income Tax Aspects of Securities 
• Tax Planning for the Family 
• Tax Law Research & Special Income Tax Considerations

Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits

September 11 & 25 and October 9 & 23, 2010

With more and more Americans expressing concern about how they can be financially comfortable in retirement, it's crucial to your business that you know how to serve their needs in this area. This course covers all the major retirement-related issues: retirement savings need analysis, qualified retirement plan design, Social Security, Medicare, and more. In addition, group life, health, and disability insurance, nonqualified deferred compensation, and other commonly provided employee benefits are examined.

Topics:

• Planning for Retirement
• Introduction to Retirement Plans 
• Defined Contribution Plans for the Private Sector 
• Defined Benefit Plans for the Private Sector 
• Retirement Plans for Nonprofit & Governmental Entities 
• Plan Design, Installation & Administration Issues 
• Retirement Plan Distributions 
• Other Employee Group Benefits 
• Nonqualified Executive Benefit Plans

Trust and Estate Planning

November 6 & 20 and December 11 & 18, 2010

Estate planning is vital to a total financial plan, especially in your work with high-net-worth clients. This course introduces you to the process of developing an estate plan. Topics covered include federal estate and gift taxation, techniques that reduce the size of a gross estate, wills, intestacy, probate, trusts, and more.

Topics:

• Estate Planning Process & Goals
• Methods of Estate Transfer at Death 
• The Federal Estate Tax 
• The Federal Gift Tax 
• Methods of Estate Transfer During Life 
• Estate Planning Issues Related to Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax & Income Tax 
• Estate Liquidity & Postmortem Actions 
• Estate Planning for Special Situations: Incapacity, Family Arrangements & Selecting Fiduciaries

Capstone Review of All Topics

February 19, 2011

Class: 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Personal Coaching: 3:00-5:00 p.m.