Professional Education Articles

A day in the life of a broker or trader is an exciting and varied one. Find out how to decide between these two financial professions.

The competition to become a financial planner is hot, and growing hotter. Find out the best way to preparing to land the CFP designation.

The Claritas Investment Certificate is likely to find growing acceptance as the new foundation-level education and ethics standard for the financial service sector internationally.

Following the status quo will kill your financial practice. Find out the tips you need to follow to keep you a step or two ahead of the competition.

Take these steps and you'll be first in line when young investors start looking for professional financial services help.

For many investors, the financial services industry is a strange and mysterious place filled with a language all in its own. Terms like “alpha,” “beta” and “Sharpe-Ratio” don’t exactly roll off the tongue with ease, nor does their use by industry insiders serve to lift the veil and make industry less opaque.

The CFP designation is heavily favored by both the finanical and the mainstream media and offers a wealth of benefits for certificants.

Professional ethics in the financial services profession can be confusing. Here are some ways to ensure you are getting the best out of your advisor.

The best advisors love what they do for a living, but they also know what to do to get to the top. This shared advice can help you get there, as well.

The reasons most clients fire their advisors are very simple and easy to address. Find out what you should be doing to keep your clients.

The best opportunities to maximize sheer earning power are in investment banking, private equity and hedge funds. Find out what it takes to succeed in these ultra-lucrative areas of finance.

Attaining the AIF or AIFA could help both you and your clients enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Experience and hard work go a long way toward securing a position in this challenging field.

Find out which exam you need to begin your career as an investment professional.

Systems traders divide their time between trading, developing, backtesting, optimizing and forward testing, to create viable and high-probability trading systems.

The financial world is filled with dysfunctional workers; find out if you're one of them and what you can do about it.

Both buyers and sellers can benefit from a real estate professional experienced in dealing with short sales and foreclosures.

Find out how experienced and credible mentors can get you where you want to go.

The workload doesn't end with your exam. Find out how to keep up your CFP credential.

Being a fiduciary comes with a certain level of responsibility. These four steps will reduce your liability when managing other people's money.

While every day is unique for a real estate agent, there are some activities that may be a typical part of an agent's day.

Going solo in financial services can present a host of unexpected challenges.

Up to 60 of the questions on this test are case studies. Are you up for the challenge?

Here are six ways financial professionals can volunteer their expertise and possibly advance their careers along the way.

Whether you are looking to climb the corporate ladder or go it alone in the financial services sector, there are some extra steps you can take to reach for the top.

Financial planners and professionals who wish to upgrade their skills in today's market have more options than ever.

If you're working in management and want to move forward in your career,this degree may give you the boost you're looking for.

Learn the tips and tricks of the trade before heading into this test.

Find out the most productive methods of networking best suited to ambitious financial professionals.

A college internship can be a wide-open gateway into your dream financial services industry post. Find out what you can expect, if you handle it right.

Maintaining work/life balance is a challenge for most professionals in the finance industry, but it doesn't have to be that way.

We break down the key components of analyzing a fund manager's performance so you can find a winner.

The designation you choose will depend on which areas of financial planning you want as your focus.

Now may be a good time to explore the possibility of working as a finanical planner from your home.

These certifications can lead to a promising career, but is estate planning for you?

The e-PRO® curriculum focuses on the most recent developments in real estate technology. Here's everything you need to know about it.

Moving to one of these financial hot-spot destinations could set your career in motion.

Want to make a good living taking on those renegade trading rascals on Wall Street? Here are some tips to help you get in the door at the SEC.

Banking professionals have only about seven weeks to find a new post in the financial services industry after leaving an old one. Here are some tips to help you.

Get an inside look at what it takes to earn your CMA and what four satisfied CMA holders say about the designation's benefits.

Here's an inside look at the workdays of two experienced CPAs, to give you an idea of what it might be like to pursue a career as a public accountant.

The real estate industry offers a wide variety of career opportunities and dozens of designations to increase your skills.

Getting your CFA is an admirable achievement, but it doesn't end there. Find out what is expected of CFAs after they become charterholders.

The Level III exam is one of the tougher exams for the CFA. Read this to give yourself a little insight.

Day trading has many advantages and, while we often hear about these perks, it's important to realize that day trading is hard work.

We break down the designations that are important to have if you want to work in the financial sector.

The CFA Institute provides members with a variety of ongoing career and networking benefits.

This article will help you understand the nuances of the CFA Level II exam.

What would your life look like if you were CFO? We’ve interviewed three chief financial officers to find out.

For those interested in picking securities and financial planning, these certifications could be just what your buy-side financial career needs.

Read about some of the most glamorous Wall Street jobs and what it takes to land one.

These certifications require time and money, but combined programs are making obtaining both designations more realistic.

The Level I exam for the Chartered Financial Analyst designation can be challenging. Here's what to expect.

Find out if spreading your wings to try a new career will make you soar or fall flat.

Learn what the Certified Management Accountant designation is, how to get it and what it can do for your accounting career.

Being a CFA charterholder can take your career in many different directions. Find out what your option are.

Become one of the elite who pass these exams by using these simple study methods.

Though these tests are not particularly difficult or comprehensive, passing them is mandatory to work as a sell-side analyst.

While all of these designations demand a substantial commitment in time, money and effort, the end result is worth it.

Here are some pros and cons to consider before you take the CFA charter plunge.

Your career as a securities agent begins with this test. We'll show you how to score high.

Advance your career and gain clientele by adding a few choice certifications.

Find out if an MBA is necessary for you to reach your professional goals.

Regulators, sales people and clients all look to communications professionals to help them navigate the markets.

To become a registered investment advisor requires specific licensing, qualifications and regulations, but the greater freedom may be worth it.

Clients love planners who sell securities, but a securities license takes a lot of work. Learn if the stress and study are worth it.

Irrespective of age, sex and other such factors, no normal investor wants an unsuitable investment. How much people really understand about their investments depends on various factors, including how much money they have invested and for how long, how much they were informed about their investments and how much they bothered to educate themselves.

Wall Street tends to focus on large cap stocks, leaving other stocks under-followed and undervalued.

Here is some useful advice for CFPs when it comes to building portfolios for clients.

Figuring out what kind of broker to use can be a daunting task. The key is figuring out just how much help you need.

Getting involved in the community and using social media are just some effective ways that advisors can meet potential clients.

Understanding one's own needs and what different advisors do are critical elements in the selection process.

Find out if all of the effort devoted to obtaining the CFA is worth it, especially in today's crowded financial job market.

Find out how to get yourself ready for these lengthy and often daunting exams.

Can you handle being the judge and jury in your firm? Find out what surprising tasks a job as a principal entails.

A couple of letters can mean a big difference. Find out which designation you need and how to get it.

A career as a financial analyst requires preparation and hard work, but the payoff can be especially rewarding.

Read on to find business tips to make your dream a reality.

You need to combining your ability to analyze numbers with skills such as communication, project management and relationship development.

These certifications will land you a long, profitable career for an affordable price.

Not every client can be ideal, so here are four ways to avoid the headaches that difficult clients can cause.

Following these five tips will keep your resume out of the recycling bin.

Breaking into the finance business is tough, but these tips can help.

Discover the differences between Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified Financial Planner™ and Commodity Trading Advisor credentials.

These jobs require specialized math skills that intimidate most laymen. But, for those with the wit and work ethic to attain this knowledge, there are many high-paying employment options.

You're nearing retirement age and you don't have the nest egg you need. Here's how an income property can help you make up the shortfall.

Determine what you need to do now to make a drastic lifestyle change later.

Don't assume all prizes are free. Many come with enough costs to render them worthless.

Don't wait to be saved, find out where the lifesaving devices are and hang on tight!

Many in the financial services industry are underpaid - don't be one of them.

Growing your client book takes more effort than simply running a radio or newspaper ad.

If you have excellent analytical skills and an eye for detail, this may be your calling.

Learn what to do when that devil on your shoulder begins to whisper.

An accounting certification may be the boost your career needs. Find out how to get the most bang for your buck.

Offering comprehensive financial services can bring in business, but coordination is the key to success.

Getting clients to cross your doorstep is one of the most challenging tasks in any business. Here are some tips.

You’re less likely to become a victim of consumer fraud if you know about these common scams and how to avoid them.