The first offering of the Compliance Seminar Series for Advisors will be available to advisors attending the Advocis’ 2003 National Conference in St. John’s next week.

The seminars are designed as an introduction to the different compliance issues governing financial services. The seminar will be part of the pre-conference workshops on June 11 in St. John’s.

The seminar will cover the regulations for life insurance and mutual funds and will conform to the tenets of the Advocis Code of Professional Conduct. ”It will provide advisors with the tools they need to remain compliant in the increasingly litigious business environment,” Steve Howard, president and CEO of Advocis, said in a statement.

“This compliance seminar series is the first significant collaborative effort we’ve made with our corporate partners and industry leaders to establish clear compliance guidelines for advisors,” he said. “Multiple levels of compliance and regulation is an ongoing source of frustration for advisors and this seminar series is the first step to getting the tools they need to conduct their business in a professional manner that ultimately serves consumer interests.”

The first seminar will take place on June 11, just prior to the Advocis conference. More dates are planned for fall 2003, and winter and spring 2004. Advocis also plans to offer customized programs for financial services companies.

Advocis is Canada’s largest association of financial advisors, with members in 50 chapters across the country. Advocis members adhere to a strict Code of Professional Conduct, meet ongoing continuing education requirements, and are committed to putting the interests of their clients first.