Investments & Wealth Institute launches two new educational offerings

Investments & Wealth Institute launches two new educational offerings
The Institute underscores the need for advisors to continually update their skills and knowledge.
JUL 26, 2024

The Investments & Wealth Institute has introduced two educational programs through its Academy online learning platform: the Visual Insights nano course series and the Strategic Planning for Business Owners short course. These programs aim to address the evolving needs of financial advisors and their clients by providing timely, complex financial planning topics in engaging, accessible formats.

Visual Insights nano course series

The Visual Insights nano course series is a monthly, interactive educational content designed to simplify complex financial planning topics. Developed in partnership with visiWealth, an advice engagement company that builds visual resources, these courses are intended to help advisors communicate intricate financial concepts to clients in a visually engaging manner. Each nano course can be completed in 10-15 minutes, and serves as a “just-in-time” learning tool to enhance advisors’ understanding and creativity in client interactions.

Ross Riskin, chief learning officer of the Investments & Wealth Institute, highlighted the importance of this new offering. “Both advisors and the clients they serve are seeking simplicity and clarity when making recommendations,” he said. “‘Visual Insights’ provides access to ‘just-in-time’ learning opportunities that are designed to both educate advisors on timely planning topics and inspire creativity when it comes to thinking about new ways to communicate complex information for clients.”

The first course, launched on July 18, 2024, examines “the 4% rule” for retirement portfolio withdrawals. Upcoming topics for 2024 include, among others, the following:

  • 529 College Savings Plan to Roth IRA Rollover Considerations
  • Gift Splitting Ahead of the TCJA Sunset
  • How IRC 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges Work

According to a news release, Visual Insights is available exclusively to Institute members and does not provide CE credit. This course intends to become a valuable resource to empower members with practical, easy-to-use tools that support their commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.

Strategic planning for business owners short course

The Strategic Planning for Business Owners course is an asynchronous program focusing on the unique financial planning needs of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring business leaders. This course addresses important questions about business entity selection, taxation, compliance with the Corporate Transparency Act, and the implications of recent legal rulings like the Connelly case.

Eligible for five hours of Institute certification and CFP® Continuing Education (CE) credit, the course includes:

  • Choosing the Most Appropriate Business Entity Type
  • Differences in Taxation Among Business Entity Types
  • Reporting Obligations Under the Corporate Transparency Act
  • Estate and Business Succession Planning Considerations

Riskin, the course architect, emphasized the importance for advisors to know the answers to such questions. The course features contributions from industry experts, including Sara Dorosti, senior wealth planning strategist at Comerica Bank, and Steve Siegel, president of The Siegel Group.

According to the news release, these new offerings reflect Investments & Wealth Institute’s commitment to providing innovative, world-class educational content.

Founded in 1985, the Investments & Wealth Institute is the professional association, education provider, and standards body for financial advisors. It serves over 30,000 practitioners annually in more than 40 countries, offering certifications such as the Certified Investment Management Analyst® (CIMA®), Certified Private Wealth Advisor® (CPWA®), and Retirement Management Advisor® (RMA®).

Latest News

Has Corient expanded again with another international acquisition?
Has Corient expanded again with another international acquisition?

Wealth management firm has seen an aggressive period of growth in the past year.

AI spending in asset management tops $100m as agent adoption stalls
AI spending in asset management tops $100m as agent adoption stalls

Survey reveals widening gap between investment ambition and workforce readiness across the sector

Newsom wants nationwide billionaires tax as presidential bid may loom on the horizon
Newsom wants nationwide billionaires tax as presidential bid may loom on the horizon

“It’s time for an economic reset,” wrote the California governor, in a post on X.

Maryland regulators spank fledgling art-focused RIA Masterworks over registration snafus
Maryland regulators spank fledgling art-focused RIA Masterworks over registration snafus

Masterworks was launched in 2017 but its RIA, Masterworks Advisers, is just three years old.

Investors allege Miami operator took over $1.5 million in EB-5 scheme
Investors allege Miami operator took over $1.5 million in EB-5 scheme

One 2017 form, no broker license, and a $42 million gap they say surfaced on a webinar.

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income

SPONSORED Why direct indexing stopped being optional

Direct indexing is on pace to outgrow ETFs and mutual funds. Northern Trust's Ken Lassner explains why the advisors who get it wish they had started sooner.