Much debate on new CE proposals

Independent Financial Brokers of Canada (IFB) has teamed up with Toronto-based Smarten Up Institute to develop a new online education portal for independent financial advisors, the association announced on Monday.

The new portal, called IFB Academy, is set to launch on Tuesday. The platform gives financial professionals the opportunity to earn continuing education (CE) credits by taking online courses. It also provides a secure online briefcase for advisors to manage and store all of their CE accreditation and other compliance documentation from any source.

“Financial advisors are held to a high standard in this country, and must undertake a certain amount of continuing education each year to maintain a license to practice,” says Nancy Allan, executive director at IFB, in a statement. “This offering expands what the IFB does for independent financial advisors at our conferences and Summits.”

The online courses offered by IFB Academy are available in English and French, and include courses that are accredited by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, as well as courses that are valid towards life insurance licensing CE requirements and other certifications.

Many of the courses will be offered free of charge to IFB members.

More details about IFB Academy will be released at IFB’s 2017 Toronto Fall Summit, taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the International Centre in Mississauga. Investment Executive will be providing coverage of the two-day conference.

Photo copyright: tashatuvango/123RF