The Georgia Senate Races and Personal Tax Planning

Good to Know- Elections matter. They matter for a number of reasons, many of which are far more profound than financial effects and, as such, are out of any financial professional’s control. However, the financial advisor or financial planner may help prepare a client for potential tax changes in 2021. If, as a result of…

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Information Ratio

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 14: Evaluation Portfolio Performance Student Question: Hello, In calculating Information Ratio, why do we need the denominator to be Standard Deviation of the difference in portfolio and index returns?  This is unlike the Sharpe Ratio, where the denominator is Standard Deviation of the Portfolio. Doesn’t the Standard Deviation of the Portfolio indicate…

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Skewness versus Kurtosis

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 13: Asset Allocation Student Question: Hi, Can you help me understand the difference between Kurtosis and Skewness?  I can’t quite piece it together. Thanks, Meg Instructor Response: Hi Meg, Entire books have been written on this topic, but the following summary should get the points for you on the CFP Board Exam…

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Book Value versus Market Cap

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 5: Fundamental Equity Analysis Student Question: Hi, How is a company’s book value different from the market cap? Thanks, Anibal Instructor Response: Hi Anibal, Book value is an accounting concept generally based upon the acquisition costs of and the legally binding amounts of liabilities.  It is the amount of cash that would…

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CFP Board’s Code and Standards vs. SEC’s Reg BI

CFP® Certificants in the News CFP Board published “What You Need to Know About CFP Board’s Code and Standards and Reg BI” on August 17, 2020; we will address the following questions with direct quotes from CFP Board’s publication: Does Reg BI apply to CFP® Certificants? How do the standards of conduct differ? How do…

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Capital Versus Security Market Line

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 13: Asset Allocation Student Question: Hi, Could you help me better understand the difference between the capital market line (CML) and security market line (SML)?  I can’t seem to fully grasp the difference. Thanks, Meg Instructor Response: Hi Meg, First, let’s take a full step back for perspective.  The SML and CML…

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SEP IRA Contribution Limits

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 5: Leveraging Nonqualified Plans for Small Business and Not-For-Profit Employees and Owners Student Question: Hello! I am wondering why on this page it says the contribution to a SEP IRA is the lesser of 25% covered compensation or $57,000 (2020), but then it says the combined contribution for SEP IRA and qualified…

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Net Earnings from Self-Employment Calculation

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 2: Qualified Plan Advantages and Disadvantages for Employees and Business Owners Student Question: Hi- On the Contribution base example, it states, “Net earnings from self-employment (NESE:) $140,000 x .9235 = $129,290”. Where did the .9235 come from? I’m sure it was in a previous lesson, I just can’t remember. Thanks, Meg Instructor Response: Hi Megan, Good question!  This factor is part of the Internal…

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