Overview
This article provides information about Fi360’s Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) Designation Training courses. Completion of AIF® Designation Training through Fi360 or another qualified education provider is one of the requirements for attaining the AIF® Designation.
AIF® Designation Training courses are designed to help participants demonstrate knowledge and competency in fiduciary responsibility and communicate a commitment to standards of investment fiduciary excellence.
The curriculum is based on a comprehensive fiduciary decision-making process that ensures critical duties are being met objectively and in the best interests of the investor. Each of the Practices highlighted in the course has been substantiated by legal citations to fiduciary laws, regulations, and case law.
Those who complete the training and meet the prerequisites are eligible to take the AIF® Exam.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be able to:
- Articulate the basis for, and benefits of, a fiduciary standard of excellence.
- Identify when an individual or organization may be deemed to hold fiduciary status.
- Identify the legal standards that require fiduciaries to prudently manage investment decisions.
- Apply the Prudent Practices that define a prudent investment process to fiduciary relationships.
- Strengthen own and/or clients’ fiduciary policies and procedures.
Training Delivery and Options
There are three formats currently available from Fi360:
- Online: Our Self-Paced Online course is available on demand to be completed within 180 days of purchase. The exam is administered online in coordination with a proctor. Fi360 has partnered with ProctorU to offer remote proctoring to AIF® Designation candidates. (approximately 10 total hours to complete)
- Virtual: Our live, instructor-led online course includes five, two-hour sessions. The exam is also administered online in coordination with a ProctorU.
- Blended Learning: Our Capstone course is a combination of online and classroom training with an exam administered at the end of the classroom portion. We host Capstone classes throughout the year and across the country.
Course Topics:
Course topics cover the Steps, Practices and Criteria including in the Prudent Practices® for Investment Advisors handbook.
Step 1 – Organize: Fiduciary Roles and Responsibilities Are Clearly Documented and Defined.
- Fiduciary duties, laws and regulations
- Governing documents
- Roles and responsibilities
- Conflicts of interest
- Written agreements
- Protecting personal identifying information and assets
Step 2 – Formalize: The Investment Policy is Consistent with Objectives for the Portfolio and Risk and Return Assumptions.
- Investment time horizons
- Risk levels
- Projected and expected portfolio returns
- Asset classes evaluation, selection and implementation
- Investment policy statements
- Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors
Step 3 – Implement: Decisions Regarding Investments and Services are Implemented in Accordance with the Duties of Loyalty and Care.
- Service provider due diligence
- Statutory or regulatory investment safe harbors
- Investment evaluation, selection and implementation
Step 4 – Monitor: The Portfolio is Monitored Regularly to Ensure Consistency with Benchmarks and Overall Objectives.
- Qualitative investment and service provider reviews
- Qualitative investment and service provider reviews
- Trading practices and proxy voting reviews
- Investment-related fees, compensation, and expenses reviews
- Organizational fiduciary effectiveness reviews