The Investments & Wealth Institute, a leading organization in the financial advice industry, has announced the launch of two new educational offerings. These new programs are accessible through the Institute's Academy online learning platform and are designed to meet the evolving needs of financial advisors.
The first of these new offerings is Visual Insights, a monthly interactive short-form educational content series. Developed in partnership with visiWealth, Visual Insights aims to simplify complex topics related to education, investment, retirement, estate, and tax planning. The courses are designed to be highly visual and engaging, making it easier for advisors to communicate these concepts to their clients.
“When it comes to making financial decisions, things are becoming more complicated—not less—and both advisors and the clients they serve are seeking simplicity and clarity when making recommendations,” said Ross Riskin, Chief Learning Officer of the Institute. The Visual Insights series is intended to provide 'just-in-time' learning opportunities, allowing advisors to better serve high-net-worth clients and multi-generational families.
The first nano course in the series, which examines the '4% Rule' for retirement portfolio withdrawals, was launched on July 18, 2024. Future topics include 529 College Savings Plan to Roth IRA Rollover Considerations, Gift Splitting Ahead of the TCJA Sunset, and How Charitable Trusts Work.
The second offering is the Strategic Planning for Business Owners short course. This asynchronous program focuses on the financial planning needs of entrepreneurs, small business owners, and aspiring business leaders. The course covers critical topics such as choosing the most appropriate business entity type, differences in taxation, reporting obligations under the Corporate Transparency Act, and estate and business succession planning considerations.
Riskin, who was the course architect, emphasized the importance of advisors being prepared to answer complex questions from business owner clients. The course is eligible for 5 hours of Institute certification and CFP® Continuing Education (CE) credit.
Contributors to the course include industry experts such as Sara Dorosti, Senior Wealth Planning Strategist at Comerica Bank, Leslie Geller, Senior Vice President at Capital Group | American Funds, and Steve Parrish, Professor of Practice at The American College of Financial Services.
These new offerings reflect the Institute's commitment to delivering innovative, world-class educational content. Launched in October 2023, the Academy online learning platform already features a robust content library, including certificate programs, short courses, microcourses, and webinars, all designed to help financial advisors earn CE credits and enhance their professional knowledge.
By providing these new educational resources, the Investments & Wealth Institute aims to empower financial advisors with practical, easy-to-use collateral and 'just-in-time' information, supporting their commitment to excellence and lifelong learning.
