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When Do Gen Z, Gen X, and Millennial Investors Seek Financial Advice?

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know “Advisors may need to connect to younger prospects on social media and tailor services to such life events as marriage, buying a home or starting a family, according to a recent survey…” according to a recent article published by Financial Advisor IQ. The article was based on a survey of 1,000 investors…

Donating Short-term Appreciated Securities

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Income Tax PlanningLesson 15: Property Transactions Student Question: In the lesson, deducting donations of ‘cash’ versus ‘long term appreciated securities’ are differentiated.  I’m curious about “short term appreciated securities”.  In other words, if I own a stock – bought at $10,000 and it’s worth $50,000 when I donate, but I’ve only owned it 6…

Tightening the Money Supply

By Dan Madden, CFP®

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…

Are You Displaying Your CFP® Mark Correctly?

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News Take this quick quiz to test your knowledge of CFP Board’s expectations of your use of the CFP® mark. For every use of the mark below, determine which is compliant. Note that question number 1 in our previous article was based on an accidental and incorrect posting by CFP Board.…

Custodial Accounts and Gifting

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Estate PlanningLesson 13: Case Study Online Student Question: If a check given by Mary to Peter was deposited into a custodial acct where Mary was the custodian, doesn’t that mean that Mary didn’t give up ALL control, so it’s not a complete gift? Instructor Response: That’s a great way to approach completed gift questions!…

Various Sources of Income

By Dan Madden, CFP®

A client received an annual salary from his employment of $40,000. He was a 50% owner of both a C corporation and an S corporation. The C corporation had net profits of $20,000, and the S corporation had income of $10,000. Neither corporation made a distribution. The client’s revocable trust had income of $5,000 but…

CFP Board Announces 2023 Academic Research Colloquium

By Dan Madden, CFP®

CFP® Board Updates The CFP Board Center for Financial Planning announced the 7th annual Academic Reseach Colloquium for financial planning and related disciplines.  It will be held in person at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel in Arlington, VA.  The dates are December 7-8, 2023. The colloquium is an international meeting of researchers, practitioners, graduate…

Maximum Family Benefit

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Insurance PlanningLesson 10: Social Security Student Question: Does the maximum family benefit apply to a husband and wife that are both fully insured if the combined total between the two exceeds the maximum family limit?   If I understand correctly, the maximum family limit only applies if there are beneficiaries within the family receiving benefits…

Tax Saving Strategies

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Dan and Karen Burles have 2 children, Coy (age 12, student) and Roger (age 21, student). Dan and Karen own a security equipment sales and installation business, an LLC. Dan and Karen are in the highest income tax bracket. They have a portfolio with $130,000 of municipal bonds (annual income $5,200), $80,000 of corporate bonds…