The Investment Program Association Launches New Complimentary E-learning Course

ELLICOTT CITY, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Investment Program Association (IPA), the trade association for the Direct Investment industry, has launched a new complimentary e-learning course. This course – Portfolio Construction and Management Utilizing Direct Investments – is one of the first offered discussing how Direct Investments, also known as Alternative Investments, help manage return and risk in client portfolios.

“While some financial advisors are familiar with these products and recognize their value in a truly diversified portfolio, the IPA is committed to producing educational content to help strengthen their overall knowledge and understanding of these solutions”

Providing a comprehensive overview of portfolio management, the course emphasizes diversifying investor portfolios with Direct Investments while also featuring topics related to both the overall portfolio and specific asset classes. The course is the second in a series of continuing education courses offered by the IPA, complementing the first course, which provides a broad overview of the fundamentals of Direct Investments.

“While some financial advisors are familiar with these products and recognize their value in a truly diversified portfolio, the IPA is committed to producing educational content to help strengthen their overall knowledge and understanding of these solutions,” said IPA Chief Executive Officer and President Kevin Hogan. “The valuable information presented in this course and others the IPA plans to produce will help financial professionals more confidently recommend Direct Investment products, like Non-listed REITs, to their clients.”

In coordination with the IPA, the course was developed by The American College, the nation’s premier educational resource for financial advisors. It consists of eight modules:

Introduction and Course Overview
The Investment Policy Statement (IPS)
Capital Market Expectations (CME)
Asset Allocation
Portfolio Implications of DI/AA Investing
Benchmarking Portfolio Performance
Monitoring Investment Returns and Portfolio Rebalancing Decisions
Course Summary and Test

“The American College faculty and staff are delighted to continue our partnership with the Investment Program Association,” said Stephen D. Tarr, Senior Vice President, The American College. “This second state-of-the-art investment education course provides members of the Direct Investment industry with an advanced understanding of direct assets and the ways they can be utilized to enhance investors’ portfolios. The dedication to quality financial advisor education is apparent in the course materials. Direct Investment professionals will gain the knowledge they need to better serve their clients.”

The course is now available online to allow individuals to work at their own pace and in the comfort of their own environment. Upon completion of the full two- to three-hour course, advisors will receive two continuing education credits toward the CFP® designation. The association is offering this program at no cost to financial professionals for a limited time.

“Education is the key to success, and in accordance with IPA’s mission, this unique course is designed to help advisors construct client portfolios diversified with Direct Investments when appropriate,” said IPA Education Committee Chair and W.P. Carey Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager Trisha Miller.

Take the free IPA e-learning course – Portfolio Construction and Management Utilizing Direct Investments.

About The Investment Program Association

The Investment Program Association (IPA) was formed in 1985 to provide effective national leadership for the Direct Investment industry, including Non-Listed REITs (NLREITs), Oil and Gas, and Equipment Leasing Programs. Since its inception, the IPA has successfully championed the growth of such products, which have increased in popularity with financial professionals and investors alike. The mission of the IPA is advocacy through education. Request your free copies of the Guide to Understanding Direct Investments and experience the IPA e-learning courses today. Visit the IPA online for more information about becoming a member.

To stay up-to-date with IPA news, follow @IPADirectInvest on Twitter.

About The American College

The American College is the nation’s largest non-profit educational institution devoted to financial services. Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The American College has served as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for more than 85 years. The American College’s faculty represents some of the financial services industry’s foremost thought leaders.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with flame logo)^® in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP^® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

The American College does not certify individuals to use the CFP^®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP (with flame logo)^® certification marks. CFP^® Certification is granted solely by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. to individuals who, in addition to completing an educational requirement such as this CFP^® Board-Registered Program, have met ethics, experience, and examination requirements.