Blog

Understanding the Relationship Between Coupon Rates and Duration

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Investment PlanningLesson 9: Fixed Income Securities Student Question: There is a question regarding duration that I continue to struggle with. Which of the following are true: Can you explain #1 and #3? Instructor Response: Thank you for your question.  This can become a bit convoluted. Let’s unpack the word “duration” first.  Duration is nothing more…

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Medicare Part A Expenses

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Which of the following individuals currently covered by Medicare Part A will not have any of their expenses covered by Medicare Part A? Evan who spent one week in hospice care before losing his battle with cancer. Felicia who was treated by her doctor for Strep throat. Greg who was needed a walker following hip…

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Does Your Client Really Need an Estate Plan?

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know How many of your clients think a great evening is sitting around a roaring fireplace on a cold night, drinking an excellent Merlot, and discussing death with their sweetheart?  The author’s guess (and hope!) is about zero. Yet, even though that romantic setting is not the best time to discuss estate planning,…

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Clarifying Tort Liability

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Course: Retirement PlanningLesson 2: Qualified Plan Advantages and Disadvantages for Employees and Business Owners Student Question: Hi- I have a few questions regarding tort liability. Negligence is Tort Liability?  Why isn’t it contractual?  Are all torts criminal in nature? Instructor Response: Good questions here. See below for my response to each. Yes Tort law and…

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Possible Penalties on Tax Return

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Terry received a notice from the IRS correcting a math error on his individual income tax return. As a  result, Terry owes $1,000 in taxes,   penalties and interest. Which of the following is the most likely penalty or interest assessed against Terry? Understatement penalty Failure to file penalty Fraud penalty Underpayment penalty CLICK TO REVEAL ANSWER Expand D is the answer.…

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How Financially Resilient Were Americans During the Pandemic?

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

CFP® Certificants in the News You may be surprised by some of the conclusions drawn about our financial resilience as a nation according to an article posted in CFP Board’s FINANCIAL PLANNING REVIEW dated May 12, 2022. We’ll frame this discussion in three parts: Context, Methodology, and Findings. Context According to the article, “the economic…

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Annual Return and Compounding

By Dan Madden, CFP®

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…

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Using Jensen Performance Index

By Dan Madden, CFP®

Based on the Jensen performance index, which fund should the investor continue to hold given the following information? Fund 1 Fund 2 Return on Portfolio 13% 17% Beta .95 1.02 Standard Deviation .18 .22 Risk free rate of return is 7% Market return is 15% Fund 1 Fund 2 Both Fund 1 and 2 Neither…

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Social Security Survivorship Challenge

By Bruce Starks, CPA, CFP®

Good to Know It’s been said that there are two kinds of CFP Board exams-those that test Social Security moderately and those that test it heavily. From a larger perspective, CFP Board tells us that almost one of every five questions on the average exam will test the examinee’s knowledge of the Retirement Savings and…

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