Fundamentals of Financial Planning
A prerequisite for other courses in the program, this course offers a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of financial planning. Topics in this area include financial planning functions, the legal and economic environment, methods of gathering client data, time value of money, ethical and professional considerations, financial analysis, and the understanding, implementing, monitoring and reviewing of a comprehensive financial plan. Students receive practical experience constructing personal financial statements, understanding business structures for clients, budgeting and dealing with regulatory requirements.
Insurance Planning
Topics in this area include identifying risk exposures, legal aspects of insurance, property and liability policy analysis, employee benefits and social insurance. This area of the program prepares students to work effectively with clients by teaching them methods of gathering client information, identifying the client’s risk exposure and selecting the best option to protect the client against loss. A practical knowledge of the types of the life insurance policies and life insurance needs and analysis, medical and disability insurance, casualty insurance and Social Security benefits is also provided.
Taxation of Individuals
This course provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of taxation and supplies participants with the information and techniques critical for effective tax planning. Topics include ethical issues, tax law research process, terminology, tax computations and concepts, and hazards and penalties. Students are introduced to methods of gathering client information, reviewing clients’ past returns and minimizing tax payments legally. Tax management techniques, tax implications of divorce, employee benefits and investments, financial planning strategies, business structure, sale of personal residence and passive activity loss rules are also covered.
Investment Planning
This course provides participants with skills to effectively evaluate various investment vehicles in accordance with the investment objectives. Topics include regulation of markets, investment vehicles, investment theory, real estate, international investment, risk and return, financial markets and modern portfolio theory. The program prepares students to work with clients to achieve the financial objectives in due course of investment planning.
Retirement Planning and Employee Benefits
As a comprehensive study of personal and employee-sponsored retirement plans, this course familiarizes students with methods of gathering information and selecting appropriate options to achieve the client’s retirement goals. Topics include ethical issues of retirement planning and employee benefits, IRAs, Social Security and Medicare benefits, tax-sheltered annuities, qualified retirement plans, distributions and distribution options, taxation and income tax deductions/benefit limitations, group insurance benefits and factor analysis.
Estate Planning
This course provides participants with a complete overview of estate planning and adequate knowledge of the varied methods, tools and techniques necessary to develop effective estate plans. Topics include federal estate and gift taxation, gift and estate planning techniques, trusts use, life insurance as an estate planning tool, intrafamily business and property transfers, charitable transfers, planning for incapacity and divorce planning. The program will also cover the estate planning process, wills, trusts, power of attorney and probate.
All text books are available at http://www.theamericancollege.edu/subpage.php?pageId=183 then choosing the appropriate course from the left menu.
An EEO/AA institution. Accommodations for disabilities may be requested by calling (910.962.2237) at least three days prior to the start of the program.
