Posts by Dan Madden, CFP®
Question: ADP Rules and 401(k)
Which of the following statements concerning differences between qualified and nonqualified stock options is correct? The employer can deduct the cost of both when they are granted. The employer can deduct the cost of qualified stock options but not nonqualified stock options. The employer can deduct the cost of qualified stock options, but the cost…
Read MoreBoard Releases Final Procedural Rules
CFP® Board Updates On May 29, 2020, the CFP Board announced the adoption of new Procedural Rules for the enforcement of the ethical and practical standards for CFP® Professionals. These new procedural rules become effective on June 30, 2020, when the CFP Board begins enforcement of the new Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct…
Read MoreADP Rules and 401(k)
KC Corporation offers a 401(k) Plan. Under the ADP rules, what is the maximum salary percentage the highly compensated employees can contribute if the non-highly compensated employees contribute 6% of their salary? 6% 8% 10% 12% CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand B is the answer. Since the non-highly compensated employees contributed between 2% and 8%,…
Read MoreAnnual Return and Compounding
Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 5: Using the Calculator Student Question: My question relates to being able to clearly distinguish when the CFP Board Exam will require an annual or other period for the answer. Question 5(b) asks: “What is the rate of return on Investment 2 using daily compounding?” What is the annual rate of return on Investment 2, made 3 years…
Read MoreESOPs and Stock Bonus Plans
Which of the following statements concerning the characteristics of ESOPs and stock bonus plans is correct? The employer is required to make a specific annual contribution. Non-vested account balances of terminated participants are usually reallocated to the remaining participants. The employer assumes the risk associated with the investment of trust fund assets. The increased investment…
Read MoreDefined Benefit Plan Reversion Tax
Lucky Star Corp has been extremely lucky with their defined benefit plan as it is currently overfunded. Management decided to terminate the plan while they are overfunded and share the excess with the employees. What amount of reversion tax will Lucky Star Corp have to pay upon termination? 0% 10% 20% 50% CLICK TO REVEAL…
Read MoreTightening the Money Supply
Which of the following is a monetary policy that will tighten the money supply? Sell government securities Lower the discount rate Decrease government spending Increase taxes CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand A is the answer. Selling government securities is a monetary policy that will tighten the money supply as the cash used to purchase the…
Read MoreJuly 2020 CFP Board Exam Moved to September
CFP® Board Updates On May 4, the CFP Board announced the July 2020 CFP Board Exam has been postponed to September. This was in response to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The new pertinent dates are: Examination Period: September 22-29, 2020 Registration Opens: Already in Progress Registration Deadline: September 8, 2020 Early Bird Discount ($725 rate)…
Read MoreBlack-Scholes Option Valuation Model
All of the following are correct about the impact of an increase in the single variable under the Black-Scholes Option Valuation Model EXCEPT: Market price has a positive impact on put options. Strike price has a positive impact on put options. Expiration time has a positive impact on call options Stock volatility has a positive…
Read MoreCoverdell ESA versus 529
Course: Fundamentals of Financial PlanningLesson 7: Educational Aid and Funding Calculation Student Question: So, is there ever any benefit to choosing a Coverdell ESA over a 529 Plan? It seems the big difference in the two is that the Coverdell has an AGI limit, so why would you just not always steer clients towards 529 Plans since they can be used across state borders? Stephanie Instructor Response: Hi…
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