- Fundamentals of Financial Planning and Insurance
This course introduces participants to the theory and practice of financial planning. It provides an overview of the financial planning process and offers guidance for managing a client's risk while achieving goals through savings and investments. Topics include life, health, disability and long-term care as well as property, Social Security and personal liability insurance. In addition, the course covers time value of money, education and retirement funding. A financial calculator, such as an HP12C or 10bII, is required.
- Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management
This course introduces concepts regarding modern portfolio theory, risk reduction, debt and equity securities, derivatives (including options and futures contracts) and asset allocation strategies. Participants will learn how to determine a client's risk tolerance and select appropriate assets based on the assessed risk tolerance and the client's goals.
- Taxation of Persons, Property and Other Entities
This course provides detailed coverage of gross income inclusions, exclusions, deductions before and after adjusted gross income, and tax credits, while focusing on the taxation of individuals, sole proprietorships, C-corps, S-corps, partnerships and LLCs. In addition, participants will learn planning techniques for taxation avoidance and minimization strategies.
- Retirement and Employee Benefits
This course provides a comprehensive overview of qualified (defined benefit, profit share, 401(k) plans) and non-qualified (deferred compensation, incentive stock options, employee stock purchase plans) retirement plans, other tax-advantaged plans (SIMPLE, Roth and traditional IRAs), and employee benefits. This course also presents an overview of the Social Security disability and health care programs such as Medicare.
- Estate Tax Planning
This course provides professionals with an introduction to wills, trusts, the probate process and the taxation of estates. Course participants will also learn the tax implications of gifts and bequests during lifetime and at death. The approach provides students with taxation avoidance and minimization techniques useful in planning a client's estate.
- Capstone Course
The Capstone course consists of both online, self-paced study combined with live-online instruction. Students will learn how to prepare and present a financial plan using financial planning software and multiple approaches to identifying and planning for a client's goals and risks. This course does fulfill the CFP® Board's Capstone Course requirement.
