Advisor Group Launches Financial Professional Development Program to Support Next-Gen Talent

PHOENIX, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Advisor Group, one of the nation's largest networks of independent wealth management firms comprised of FSC Securities Corporation, Royal Alliance Associates, SagePoint Financial, and Woodbury Financial, today announced the launch of a financial professional development program. The program was created in partnership with Advisors Ahead, a talent development organization that specializes in sourcing and developing next-generation financial advisors.  

Advisors and firms that are part of the Advisor Group network now have access to three sequential courses to train team members in their businesses, including interns, associates, and mid-career entrants to the industry. Courses range from the fundamentals of the industry and an introduction to advisory, to more sophisticated wealth management topics. Advisors and their participants can choose which courses to take based on their unique needs. The program also provides advisors with ongoing reports and alerts as participants complete courses, enabling advisors to monitor their progress and asses when coaching is needed.

"This first-of-its-kind program seeks to address the unique pain points that advisors are facing, including the development of next-gen talent and succession planning initiatives," said Jamie Price, President and CEO of Advisor Group. "We're pleased to team up with Advisors Ahead, offering this training program as another value-add that helps existing advisors engage and educate their potential successors. In turn, newly minted advisors and staff members will be well positioned to win clients' confidence, fostering the types of deep relationships that have underpinned their predecessors' success."

The financial professional development program consists of three courses:

• Industry Preparatory Program: This 12-course program introduces the financial services industry to advisors with limited industry experience by providing guidance on client communications, social media regulation, business ethics and more.
• Introduction to Wealth Management: Developed by Kaplan, a global education services company, this program educates advisors on the foundational principles of financial planning and wealth management. Advisors that complete all 13 courses are eligible to earn the Wealth Management Specialist (WMS) certificate.
• Fundamentals of Investment Advisory Solutions: This eight-course program is developed by Money Management Institute, the industry association for financial services firms that provide financial advice and professionally-managed investment advisory solutions. Throughout this program, advisors receive real-world insights and learn the practical application of advisory topics, including general principles of asset allocation, performance reporting and more. Upon completion, advisors are eligible for a variety of CE Credits: CIMA®, CPWA®, Fi360 AIF®, AIFA® and PPC®.

"We believe that financial advisors have the potential to effect tremendous change in people's lives," added Clay Skurdal, Founding Partner of Advisors Ahead. "Our firm was founded on the premise that – much like aspiring medical, educational, accounting and legal professionals – the next generation of advisory talent should have access to practical and comprehensive training that empowers them to provide outstanding service."

Advisor Group officially launched the program during its national ConnectED 2018 conference on November 11th – 14th in Anaheim, CA. For media inquiries regarding this press announcement, or to speak to an Advisor Group spokesperson, please contact: [email protected].

About Advisor Group

Advisor Group, Inc. is one of the nation's largest networks of independent financial advisors serving over 6,800 advisors and overseeing more than $250 billion in client assets. Headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, the firm is mission-driven to support the heroic role that advisors can play in the lives of their clients, offering securities and investment advisory services through its subsidiaries FSC Securities Corp., Royal Alliance Associates Inc., SagePoint Financial, Inc. and Woodbury Financial Services, Inc., as broker/dealers, registered investment advisors and members of FINRA and SIPC. Cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship and independence, Advisor Group champions the enduring value of financial advisors and is committed to being in their corner every step of the way. For more information visit http://www.advisorgroup.com.

About Advisors Ahead

Advisors Ahead, committed to the next generation of Financial Advisors, has developed an innovative bridge between university students and all types of financial services firms.  Its mission is to increase the professionalism of financial advisors and improve the experience of their clients.  The Advisors Ahead Internship and Resident Programs help existing financial advisors grow their practices with new associate financial advisors. The Advisors Ahead Preparatory Program supplements university curriculums with development of interpersonal skills, relationship dynamics, industry content and mentoring.  This complete solution from sourcing, selection and onboarding through professional development provides significant leverage to existing financial advisors, allowing them to focus on their clients and their business. Learn more at www.advisorsahead.com.

SOURCE Advisor Group

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