Fiduciary Fundamentals
May 30-June 4, 2025
The Fiduciary Fundamentals track covers 11 topics of interest to professionals throughout the financial services industry. The program is the equivalent of Southeastern Trust School formerly offered by Campbell University.
Applicants may choose to only enroll in Fiduciary Fundamentals.
Topics covered
Discussion of the audit function, formal examinations including the trust rating system and the compliance function.
Integrated analysis of the estate planning process covering probate avoidance, property ownership, wills, trusts, powers of appointment, estate tax, charitable transfers and more.
The unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, breach of trust, self-dealing issues relating to unfair trading of securities, conflict of interest and the prudent person standard are addressed as core components in all TAI sessions. Topics also can be covered in a separate class.
Analysis of fiduciary principles and the substantive law of trusts. Analysis includes fiduciary powers, duties and liability as well as regulatory provisions affecting the fiduciary business.
In-depth analysis of the financial planning process, from data gathering through analysis, implementation and monitoring.
Overview of the investment process for equities, fixed income and real estate. Discussion includes technical analysis, security trading and key investment concepts (asset allocation, diversification, risk and return).
Discussion of Employee Benefits Accounts and Individual Retirement Accounts and their role in financial and estate planning, including required distributions during the lifetime and after death. Additionally, we will cover beneficiary options and QTip opportunities as well as use by future generations.
Overview of trust services and the elements of a successful client relationship and sales effort. Discussion of sales calls as well as the competitive environment.
Study of taxation issues in a fiduciary context: income tax, estate tax, gift tax, generation-skipping tax and special valuation rules. Case study integrates the various concepts.
Review of the characteristics of trust business. Discussion includes estate administration, the various types of trusts and agency accounts, guardianship and powers of attorney issues.
This course will discuss the regulatory and compliance process and how they should work side by side with your trust department and staff auditor.
Advanced Practices
June 5-7, 2025
The Advanced Practices track covers eight complex topics of interest to seasoned professionals throughout the financial services industry.
Qualified applicants interested in more advanced training may choose to enroll in only the Advance Practices program. Graduates of the Fiduciary Fundamentals (formerly Southeastern Trust School); or an equivalent foundational trust education program are eligible to enroll in the Advanced Practices program bypassing Fiduciary Fundamentals.
The ATFA certification examination will be offered on the last day of the program.
Topics covered
Negative estate, gift, and generation skipping tax consequences can be disastrous for your client. The class delves deeper into tax saving options for your clients.
With less than 1% of the population needing an estate tax return, the opportunities for tax savings in fiduciary income tax become even more important. Learn, in depth, the options you have to save your client fiduciary income tax dollars.
This session involves a myriad of options regarding gifts for a variety of different situations for both individuals and charities. Generation skipping, transfers to irrevocable trusts, and marital trust options are discussed. Also discussed are the use of disclaimers and what to do taxwise with a closely held business.
Discussed will be a variety of ethical issues that can create liability and of Uniform Acts that affect us all, such as the Uniform Trust Code, Uniform Probate Code, and Uniform Principal and Income Act.
A comprehensive analysis of the risk management process and its impact on the individual, business, and the economy in the 21st century. Case studies on current trends in risk management will be presented in class.
Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cutting edge, unique investment vehicles are discussed. Additionally, the responsibilities of portfolio management are covered.
Putting what you have learned into action, with a variety of real-life financial planning scenarios. This class will be done in a group setting.
Putting what you have learned into action, with a variety of real-life fiduciary
situations. This class will be done in a group setting.
Enroll in both programs
Interested applicants are encouraged to enroll in both the Fiduciary Fundamentals and Advanced Practices programs, which are offered during two consecutive weeks each summer.
Upon successfully completing the Fiduciary Fundamentals examination, students advance into the Advanced Practices program. The ATFA certification examination will be offered on the last day of the Advanced Practices program.