Stay competitive in today's marketplace by leveraging Ascensus' education programs in the growth and development of your staff. Ascensus has been delivering training for more than 40 years to all levels of employees, from frontline staff to senior executives, at all stages of their career paths.
ASCENSUS INSTRUCTORS
Ascensus’ accredited instructors are some of the best in the industry. When they are not teaching, they research and consult on retirement, health, and education savings plan administration forms and documents, design course curricula, and conduct compliance reviews.
Ascensus instructors also serve as the voice of Ascensus’ 800 Consulting service and webinars. Their years of industry experience and ERISA technical knowledge offer depth and insight to their teaching. Ascensus instructors have a deep understanding of IRAdirect® and general operational knowledge that further enhances their teaching.
FLEXIBLE FORMATS
Ascensus offers its education programs in flexible formats and multiple delivery methods so you can choose options that best fit your staff’s learning objectives and your budget. Mix and match our instructor led onsite, online, and virtual—as well as webinar and self-paced training delivery formats for a better learning experience.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) CREDITS
Ascensus recognizes the importance of staying current with retirement, health, and education savings plan rules and trends in today’s market. Earning and maintaining professional designations is an excellent way for your staff to obtain proficiency and highlight their dedication to your clients. Ascensus programs are submitted for numerous designations, including Certified IRA Specialist (CIS), Certified IRA Professional (CIP), Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP), Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor (CTFA), Certified Retirement Services Professional (CRSP), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Visit our website for additional details.
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
Virtual Compliance and Education Summit
Virtual Summit offers attendees seeking industry designations an opportunity to prepare for the Certified IRA Specialist (CIS) I, CIS II, and Certified Health Savings Professional (CHSP) exams. Attendees can choose from nearly 30 expert-led basic-to-intermediate courses to better their understanding of retirement, health, and education savings plans. Professional designation tracks are identified. Courses offering current legislative updates are presented and, in addition to a variety of IRA and HSA topics, other areas are addressed surrounding qualified retirement plans (QRPs) and SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans. Live and pre-recorded sessions are offered.
This three-day course includes six or more live sessions to choose from daily with our highly educated instructors and access to pre-recorded sessions. All live sessions are recorded. Playback of all recordings are available at your convenience for 30 days post-event. This virtual learning approach gives you the flexibility to build IRA and HSA skills, prepare for industry designation exams, or earn continuing education (CE) credits without the travel expense.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• Those wanting to become a CIS I, CIS II, or CHSP
• Those new to IRAs or HSAs or needing a refresher on IRAs and HSAs based on current rules
• Frontline financial organization employees who provide back-up support to the IRA or HSA specialist
• Current designation holders seeking CE credits
WHY ATTEND
• Learn the basics to develop your IRA and HSA knowledge and start your path to an advanced professional designation.
• Confidently address customer IRA and HSA needs and assist specialists in your organization.
• Network with industry peers.
• Learn from experienced industry professionals.
COURSE TOPICS
Below is a sample listing of course topics.
• IRA Contributions
• IRA Fundamentals
• Introduction and Establishing HSAs
• HSA Funding
• HSA Advanced Distributions, Portability, and Compliance
• CIS and CHSP Exam Overview and Review
• IRA Transfers and Rollovers
• IRA and QRP Required Minimum Distributions
• IRA Beneficiary Distributions
• IRA Reporting
• QRP Fundamentals
• IRA and QRP Updates
• SEP vs. SIMPLE IRA Plans
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
Onsite, online, and virtual
IRA Institute
IRA Institute is an advanced training program that provides in-depth, need-to-know IRA information to experienced IRA professionals. This program features extensive IRA reference materials, objective-based training methods, and practical applications of IRA rules. This program also prepares students for the Certified IRA Professional (CIP) or Certified IRA Services Professional (CISP) examinations.
IRA Institute is available on-site (five full days), virtually over 10 days, or as a flexible online option (12 weeks).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• Individuals who have earned the CIS II designation
• IRA services professionals with two or more years of industry experience
• Experienced IRA professionals interested in pursuing the CIP or CISP designation
IMPORTANT: Before registering for IRA Institute Online, be sure to review the ABA application deadline for the exam you wish to take.
• Those looking to become recognized industry leaders
WHY ATTEND
• Earn an industry recognized designation that establishes you as an elite IRA professional.
• Refine your knowledge with instruction from industry experts.
• Prepare for the CIP or CISP exams with a detailed review and case studies.
• Get the latest updates on IRS rules and regulations.
COURSE TOPICS*
• Authoritative hierarchy
• Establishment and amendments
• Prohibited transactions
• Contributions
• Transfers and rollovers
• Conversions and recharacterizations
• Excess contributions
• IRA distributions and withholding
• Required minimum distributions
• Beneficiary distributions
• Reporting
• Handling legal issues
• SEP and SIMPLE IRA plans
• Roth distributions
*Topics are subject to change.
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
Onsite and virtual
IRA and HSA Workshops
Benefit from our experienced, knowledgeable instructors and extensive curriculum without leaving the office. From learning the basics to gaining a comprehensive understanding of IRAs and health savings accounts (HSAs), our workshops cover critical rules and operational issues. With instructor-led training, an Ascensus trainer will come to your organization in person or virtually and teach a wide range of IRA and HSA topics, delivering high-quality content in a flexible, cost-effective format to suit your training objectives. We can integrate your organization’s forms, policies, and procedures into the training.
ADVANTAGES
• You select the topics, time, and place to fit your needs.
• Instructors will help develop professional and technical skills on an individual basis.
• There is no travel expense or time away from the office.
• Train several employees at one time versus sending one or two individuals to off-site training.
• Professionally designed student guides and reference material are available.
IRA TOPICS
• IRA Essentials
• IRA Frontline Fundamentals
• Advanced IRAs
HSA TOPICS
• HSA Frontline Fundamentals
• HSA Workshop
IRADIRECT SYSTEM TRAINING
• IRAdirect Workshop for General Users
• IRAdirect Workshop for Advanced Users
Additional courses and custom content also available. Contact us at education@ascensus.com for details.
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
Onsite and virtual
IRA Essentials
Just starting out in the retirement services industry or need a refresher on IRAs? IRA Essentials is the ideal workshop for you. With hands-on exercises throughout the workshop, you'll leave able to work with IRA owners and process basic IRA transactions with confidence. This workshop is also offered in a flexible on-demand version (see page 16).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• Those who need to learn the basics of Traditional and Roth IRAs
• Those who want an updated, general refresher on IRA rules
COURSE TOPICS*
• Introduction to IRAs
• Establishing an IRA
• IRA funding
• IRA distributions
• IRA portability
• Reporting
IRA Frontline Fundamentals
IRA Frontline Fundamentals is a half-day workshop that provides a basic foundation of IRA knowledge. Exercises are included to help participants apply information to job-related situations. You'll leave this session able to confidently process basic IRA transactions. This is a beginner’s session; no previous IRA knowledge is assumed.
Advanced IRAs
Advanced IRAs builds on the attendees’ basic IRA knowledge to address the more complex IRA issues that their financial organizations may handle. The instructor uses real-world exercises to help participants apply information to job-related situations. This is an advanced session; previous IRA knowledge is assumed.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• An IRA administrator, personal banker, or member services personnel who has a working knowledge of basic IRA operations and wishes to expand their expertise and provide enhanced customer service
• A financial professional who recognizes that IRAs play an integral role in retirement planning
• A compliance specialist with procedural oversight of IRA policies and practices
• Support personnel responsible for promotional materials that describe the services provided by your financial organization
COURSE TOPICS*
• IRA updates
• IRA excess contributions
• Required minimum distributions
• Beneficiary options
• Advanced portability
*Topics are subject to change.
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
Onsite and virtual
IRAdirect Workshop for General Users
The IRAdirect Workshop for general users is a halfday course that gives attendees a solid foundation of knowledge about IRAdirect functionality and operations. Attendees will leave able to confidently work within the IRAdirect software and process basic IRA transactions.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• IRAdirect general users
• IRAdirect advanced users
COURSE TOPICS*
• Homepage overview
• User guide and manuals
• IRAdirect training videos
• The Link online newsletter
• Account owner tree
• Form wizards
• Completing common form wizards
• Financial disclosure calculator
• Blank forms
*Topics are subject to change.
IRAdirect Workshop for Advanced Users
The IRAdirect Workshop for advanced users is a halfday course that gives attendees a solid foundation of the role of an advanced user in IRAdirect. Attendees will leave this session able to confidently work within the IRAdirect software and process general user IRA transactions.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• IRAdirect advanced users
COURSE TOPICS*
• Homepage overview
• Calendar
• Investment maintenance
• Financial organization information
• Approving forms from general users
• Required minimum distribution (RMD) process, RMD election in the account owner tree, and verifying RMD payments
• Beneficiary claim process, beneficiary claim in the account owner tree, and verifying outstanding beneficiary claims
• Reports
Webinars
Ascensus webinars are a great way to train multiple staff members at one time, in one location, for one low price. You choose the webinar topic and the date, ensuring that your staff is properly trained on the topics you deem most appropriate.
All webinars are available live or by digital delivery and last approximately 75 minutes, including time for questions and answers. Workbooks are included.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
• Retirement and other tax-favored savings plan administrators seeking ongoing education
• Industry professionals looking to become more comfortable with retirement, health, and education savings plan rules
• Those responsible for retirement and other taxfavored savings plan compliance
• Those looking for an update on the latest retirement, health, and education savings plan industry changes
• Individuals needing continuing education credits for various designations
COURSE TOPICS
Below is a sample listing of course topics.
• Roth IRAs
• IRA and HSA Fundamentals
• IRA Required Minimum Distributions
• Handling Complex IRA Death Claims
• IRA Transfers and Rollovers
• IRA and QRP Beneficiary Distributions
• IRA and HSA Yearly Top 10 Wrap Up
• IRA Compliance
• 403(b) and 457(b) Plan Fundamentals
• IRA Legal Issues
• Legislative Update
• IRA Excess Contributions and Recharacterizations
• IRA Withholding
• IRA Reporting
• QRP Distributions and Loans
• HSAs and Medicare
• IRA and HSA Contributions and Distributions
• Establishing and Amending IRAs
• IRA and Employer Plan Prohibited Transactions
• SEP and SIMPLE IRA Plans
• QRP Basics
• Comparing Education Savings Plans
IRA Essentials OnDemand
IRA Essentials OnDemand is perfect for those who need an introduction to IRAs but cannot attend a face-to-face IRA training session. IRA reference materials, job aids, quizzes, and videos blend together to create an immersive educational experience. IRA Essentials OnDemand is a flexible, online alternative to our popular IRA Essentials workshop (see page 11).
DESIGNED FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO
• Learn the basic rules that govern Traditional and Roth IRAs
• Complete an updated, general refresher on IRA rules
• Earn CE credits
COURSE TOPICS*
• Introduction to IRAs
• Establishing an IRA
• IRA funding
• IRA distributions
• IRA portability
• Reporting *Topics are subject to change.
eLearning
Ascensus’ self-paced eLearning courses are a cost-effective, flexible training solution bringing convenience and expertise to retirement and other tax-favored savings plan industry professionals nationwide. Courses range from basic to advanced and are approved for continuing education credits. Attendees can take any course at any time and review the material whenever necessary. At the end of each course, attendees have the option to take a test and immediately view the results to help identify topics they may need to review in greater detail. Individual courses are available through Ascensus University using our learning management system (LMS), or can be used within your own LMS. Our eLearning library is SCORM- and AICC-compliant.
To aid in the learning process, each course includes embedded links with pop-up details and Q&As with helpful hints. While each course is designed to take 60 to 90 minutes, attendees can work at their own pace and save the course to come back to later.
COURSE TOPICS*
BASIC ELEARNING COURSES
• Conversions
• HSA Basics
• IRA Contributions
• IRA to IRA Transfers and Rollovers
• Qualified Plan Basics
• Traditional IRA RMDs
BASIC-TO-ADVANCED ELEARNING COURSES
• Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
• Establishing an IRA
• Funding HSAs
• HSA Distribution Issues
• HSAs - Introduction and Establishment
• HSA Portability and Compliance
• Individual(k)™
• IRA Beneficiary Options
• IRA Distributions
• IRA Required Reporting
• SEP Plans
• SIMPLE IRA Plans
ADVANCED ELEARNING COURSES
• 529 Plans
• Comparing Roth and Traditional IRAs
• Employer-Sponsored Plan Portability
• Handling IRA Legal Issues
• IRA Authoritative Hierarchy
• IRA Compliance
• IRA Excess Contributions and Recharacterizations
• Roth 401(k)
• Substantially Equal Periodic Payments
*Topics are subject to change.
Consumer Education Materials
Deliver the right message, the right way, at the right time. Our expert consumer education content is designed to get their attention and help you grow your business.
LOBBY BROCHURES
Hands-on engagement material that provides your clients with a deeper dive on key savings topics
EBROCHURES
Digital versions of our popular lobby brochures that you can upload and use on your consumer-facing website
Continuing Education Credits
Our education programs and training curriculum support your professional development by offering continuing education (CE) credits for over 20 industry designations. View our CE credits chart to determine which educational opportunities can help you achieve your career goals.
TRAINING REGISTRATION FEES
Training Registration Fees
INSTRUCTOR-LED TRAINING
Ascend
$1,699 per attendee
IRA Institute
$1,799 on-site per attendee
$1,795 online per attendee
$1,699 virtual per attendee
Virtual Compliance and Education Summit
$999 per attendee
Registration does not include the CIS I, CIS II, or CHSP exam.
IRA University
$1,199 per attendee
Registration includes the CIS I exam.
HSA University
$899 per attendee
Registration includes the CHSP exam.
IRA FastTrack
$2,695 per attendee
Registration includes an IRA University session, Ascend, and the CIS I and CIS II exams.
Virtual IRA Workshops
$349 per attendee
Virtual HSA Workshops
$349 per attendee
IRA and HSA Workshops
$399 per attendee per class
Instructor-Led Workshops
Stock curriculum starts at $2,500 per day plus expenses and materials.
WEBINARS
Webinars
Mix and match your live webinar and digital delivery purchases to save.
$229 each for up to four webinars or digital delivery
$199 each for five or more webinars or digital delivery
SELF-PACED LEARNING
IRA Essentials OnDemand
$249 per attendee (30-day unlimited access) Contact us for unlimited access pricing, covering your entire organization.
eLearning
Select individual courses or purchase the entire library. Contact us to discuss pricing for your organization.
The Ascensus learning management system (LMS), Ascensus University includes our entire eLearning library and is available for $399 per user (30-day unlimited access). Contact us to discuss pricing for year-round LMS access for your organization or for an eLearning license.
