Browse WME Course For Financial Planners (WME-FP)

WME Course For Financial Planners (WME-FP)

In this section

  • Chapter 1: Wealth Management Today
    • Wealth Management in Canada
      Explore the evolution, framework, and practical applications of wealth management in Canada, including key services, major institutions, regulatory bodies, and best practices for financial advisors and clients alike.
    • Wealth Management Services in Canada: A Comprehensive Overview for Canadian Investors
      Explore key wealth management services in Canada, from financial and retirement planning to estate and philanthropic strategies, private banking solutions, and best practices.
    • Key Trends Shaping the Future of Wealth Management
      Explore how digital transformation, demographic shifts, ESG investing, fee transparency, personalized experiences, and industry consolidation are radically reshaping wealth management in Canada.
    • Regulatory Environment in Canadian Wealth Management
      Explore the comprehensive regulatory framework governing wealth management in Canada, including the pivotal roles of CSA, CIRO, provincial regulators, AML compliance, and privacy statutes. Learn how to navigate these regulations and maintain professional standards.
    • Competencies of Successful Wealth Advisors
      Explore the essential skills and expertise needed by modern Canadian wealth advisors, from technical depth in investments and taxes to regulatory compliance, relationship-building, emotional intelligence, and business development strategies.
    • The Wealth Management Process
      Discover a structured wealth management framework that covers client discovery, goal setting, plan development, implementation, and continuous monitoring in Canada, ensuring holistic financial well-being and regulatory compliance.
    • Building a Team of Specialists
      Learn how to establish a collaborative network of legal, tax, insurance, and investment professionals to optimize wealth management strategies for Canadian clients.
  • Chapter 2: Ethics and Wealth Management
    • Ethics in the Financial Services Industry
      Discover the core principles of ethical conduct in financial services, examine Canadian regulatory requirements, and learn practical strategies for safeguarding client interests and maintaining public trust.
    • Types of Ethical Dilemmas
      Explore key ethical dilemmas financial planners face in Canada—conflicts of interest, confidentiality issues, suitability concerns, duty of care, and more—in order to safeguard client trust and maintain professional integrity.
    • Resolving Ethical Dilemmas in Wealth Management
      Explore a structured approach to resolving ethical dilemmas in Canadian wealth management. Learn how to identify core issues, consult professional codes of ethics, evaluate courses of action, and implement solutions that safeguard client interests.
    • Code of Ethics
      Explore the foundational principles of an effective code of ethics in Canadian wealth management, emphasizing professional conduct, transparency, and public trust.
    • Trust, Agency, and Fiduciary Duty
      Explore the pillars of ethical wealth management: how trust, agency, and fiduciary duty shape financial planning relationships and protect clients’ best interests.
    • What Can Happen when an Advisor Ignores Ethics
      Explore the serious repercussions financial advisors face when ethical principles are neglected, including regulatory penalties, litigation, reputational harm, and potential damage to client well-being.
  • Chapter 3: Getting to Know the Client
    • Information Required by Regulation and Law
      A comprehensive overview of the Canadian regulatory obligations and legal requirements for financial advisors, focusing on essential KYC, AML, and privacy measures.
    • Going Beyond the Regulatory and Legal Minimum
      Learn how financial advisors can build stronger, more personalized relationships by gathering holistic client information, exploring life aspirations, and understanding behavioral finance—all while maintaining Canadian regulatory standards.
    • The Client Discovery Process in Canadian Wealth Management
      Learn how to use checklists, active listening, structured questionnaires, and rapport-building methods to conduct an effective client discovery process in Canadian wealth management.
  • Chapter 4: Assessing the Client’s Financial Situation
    • Analyzing Personal Financial Statements and Savings Plan
      Discover how to evaluate net worth statements, cash flow, budgeting strategies, and savings plans to optimize clients’ financial health in a Canadian wealth management context.
    • Time Value of Money
      Learn how Present Value, Future Value, and Compounding shape Canadian wealth planning. Explore PV and FV calculations, discount rates, annuity comparisons, and real-world applications for retirement, mortgage, and education funding.
  • Chapter 5: Consumer Lending and Mortgages
    • Credit Planning for Canadian Consumers and Advisors
      Explore diverse consumer credit options, learn strategies to maintain a healthy credit score, and discover how financial advisors can integrate credit planning with holistic wealth management.
    • Residential Mortgages
      Explore the fundamentals of Canadian residential mortgages, including fixed- and variable-rate options, hybrid structures, qualification requirements, default insurance, and best practices for borrowers.
    • Key Financial Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Home
      Explore essential financial considerations when purchasing a home in Canada, including down payment, interest rates, closing costs, property taxes, and more. Learn how to balance lending limits with your personal comfort and future goals.
    • Methods of Reducing Interest Costs and Penalties
      Learn how to minimize mortgage interest costs and penalties through accelerated payments, refinancing strategies, and renegotiation tips in Canada’s mortgage landscape.
    • Related Mortgage Topics and Financial Planning Issues
      Explore key mortgage-related topics and financial planning considerations, including insurance comparisons, reverse mortgages, rental properties, debt strategies, and integrating mortgages into overall financial goals.
  • Chapter 6: Legal Aspects of Family Dynamics
    • Family-Related Issues
      Explore key considerations in modern Canadian family structures and their impact on financial planning, including blended families, common-law partnerships, multi-generational households, cultural factors, and responsibilities for children. Learn how to integrate these elements into a holistic wealth management strategy.
    • Fundamental Aspects of Family Law
      Explore core principles of Canadian family law, including marriage, divorce, property division, child and spousal support, and key enforcement mechanisms in provincial jurisdictions.
    • Domestic Contracts
      Explore the essential role of domestic contracts in Canadian family law, including prenuptial, cohabitation, and separation agreements, their enforceability, and the financial planner's role in helping clients navigate these important legal instruments.
    • Property Issues on Relationship Breakdown
      Explore how family property is divided upon relationship breakdown, the valuation methods used, dispute resolution strategies, tax implications, and the crucial role of financial advisors in Canada.
    • Impact of Divorce on a Client’s Financial Plan
      Explore how divorce can reshape a client’s financial plan, from changes in net worth and liquidity to insurance beneficiary designations and emotional factors. Gain actionable insights into coordinating with legal, tax, and mental health professionals to help clients navigate this critical life transition.
  • Chapter 7: Personal Risk Management Process
    • Strategic Wealth Preservation: The Big Picture
      Discover comprehensive strategies to protect and maintain a client’s wealth against uncertainties, ensuring long-term financial security and resilience within the Canadian context.
    • Risk in the Context of Strategic Wealth Management
      Explore core personal risk concepts, types of risks, and their role in strategic wealth management for Canadian Financial Planners. Learn how to balance risk and reward, manage behavioral biases, and adapt to changing life stages.
    • Measuring Risk
      Explore the core principles and methods involved in quantifying client risk, covering both qualitative and quantitative approaches, tools for risk assessment, life insurance needs analysis, and disability planning within the Canadian financial context.
    • Identifying Risk within a Client’s Net Worth
      Explore how to uncover and mitigate various risks within a client’s net worth, including asset-liability mismatches, concentrated equity stakes, income protection gaps, liability exposures, and generational wealth transfer challenges in the Canadian financial landscape.
    • The Family Life Cycle
      Explore the key financial risks and opportunities at each stage of the family life cycle, from early career and singlehood to retirement and beyond, with strategies tailored to the Canadian context.
    • The Personal Risk Management Process
      Learn how to identify, evaluate, and mitigate personal risks using a structured approach tailored for Canadian financial planners. Explore insurance strategies, compliance considerations, and best practices.
  • Chapter 8: Understanding Tax Returns
    • Financial Planning and Taxation
      Explore how a solid understanding of the Canadian tax system enables financial planners to optimize after-tax income, leverage deductions and credits, and support sustainable wealth growth.
    • Personal Income Tax Returns
      A comprehensive guide to the Canadian T1 personal tax return, major tax slips, key deductions, and credits for financial planners seeking to optimize client tax outcomes.
    • Taxation of Investment Income
      An in-depth exploration of how various types of investment income are taxed in Canada, including interest, dividends, capital gains, foreign investment income, and tax-preferred accounts, with practical examples, diagrams, and references to Canadian regulations.
    • Taxable and Non-Taxable Employee Benefits
      Explore taxable and non-taxable employee benefits under Canadian tax law, learn how to identify and classify them, and discover strategic planning considerations for financial planners and their clients.
  • Chapter 9: Tax Reduction Strategies
    • Techniques to Minimize Taxes
      Maximize Canadian tax effectiveness by leveraging deductions, credits, income-splitting strategies, tax-deferred accounts, and capital gains management in personal and business contexts.
    • Tax-Free Savings Accounts
      Discover the essentials of Canadian Tax-Free Savings Accounts, including contribution rules, withdrawal strategies, over-contribution penalties, and effective wealth management approaches for a tax-efficient portfolio.
    • Registered Plans Used for Non-Retirement Goals
      Explore how Canadian-registered plans like RESPs, RDSPs, the Home Buyers’ Plan, and the Lifelong Learning Plan can help you meet non-retirement goals through tax-deferral, government grants, and flexible withdrawal options.
    • Incorporation and Tax Reduction Strategies in Canada
      Learn when, why, and how to incorporate in Canada to optimize tax savings, protect liability, and leverage corporate structures for professional and small business success.
  • Chapter 10: Registered Retirement Savings Plans
    • Preparing to Fund Retirement
      A comprehensive guide for Canadian financial planners on assessing clients’ retirement goals, estimating expenses, leveraging government benefits, and initiating RRSP contributions early to ensure a secure future.
    • An Overview of Registered Retirement Savings Plans
      Discover how RRSPs can serve as a cornerstone of retirement planning in Canada, offering tax benefits, investment flexibility, and compounding growth opportunities.
    • Registered Retirement Savings Plan Contribution Rules
      Explore the RRSP contribution rules in Canada, including annual limits, spousal contributions, over-contribution penalties, and strategic considerations for financial planning.
    • Management of RRSP Accounts
      Discover key strategies for managing Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) accounts in Canada, including effective investment selection, rebalancing, fee structures, and best practices to optimize retirement savings.
    • Registered Retirement Savings Plans: What Clients Must Know
      Learn key RRSP insights, including tax implications, deadlines, record-keeping strategies, and best practices for maximizing retirement savings in Canada.
  • Chapter 11: Employer-Sponsored Pension Plans
    • Employer-Sponsored Pension Plans
      Explore the framework, design, and regulatory landscape of employer-sponsored pension plans in Canada, including Defined Benefit (DB), Defined Contribution (DC), and Hybrid plan structures, along with funding, vesting, portability, and best practices.
    • Funding Retirement
      Learn how employer-sponsored pension plans bolster retirement funding in Canada, offering integration strategies with RRSPs, TFSAs, and government benefit programs.
  • Chapter 12: Government Pension Programs
    • Canada and Quebec Pension Plans
      Learn how the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) operate, including eligibility, contributions, benefit formulas, and the strategic considerations for retirement and estate planning in Canada.
    • Old Age Security Program
      Explore the Old Age Security (OAS) Program, its eligibility criteria, clawback rules, deferral strategies, and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) for low-income retirees in Canada.
  • Chapter 13: Retirement Planning Process
    • Planning for Financial Security in Retirement
      A comprehensive guide for Canadian financial advisors to help clients cultivate secure retirement plans, addressing key income sources, risk mitigation, and best practices.
    • Retirement Income Needs Analysis
      Discover how to assess retirement expenses, project future income streams, and incorporate inflation and spousal coordination to develop a robust plan for financially secure golden years in Canada.
    • Tax-Minimization Strategies
      Learn how to minimize taxes in retirement through strategic use of RRSPs, TFSAs, income splitting, OAS clawback management, and more.
    • Questions to Consider When Advising Clients on Retirement Planning Process
      Discover essential questions financial advisors should ask when guiding Canadian clients through retirement planning—covering goals, healthcare costs, potential risks, pension rules, and more, ensuring a tailored, client-centric experience.
  • Chapter 14: Protecting Retirement Income
    • Understanding Annuities
      Explore the fundamentals of annuities in Canada, their key features, types, taxation, and regulatory safeguards, as well as practical strategies for including annuities in a retirement income plan.
    • Types of Annuities
      Explore the different types of annuities available in Canada—from immediate and deferred to fixed, variable, and beyond—to help structure a secure and flexible retirement income plan.
    • Segregated Funds
      Discover how segregated funds in Canada protect retirement income through insurance guarantees, potential creditor protection, and estate-planning benefits.
    • Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit Contracts
      Explore how Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefit (GMWB) contracts protect retirement income through income guarantees, market participation, and strategic withdrawals within the Canadian financial landscape.
  • Chapter 15: Planning to Pass on the Estate
  • Chapter 16: Estate Planning Strategies
    • Trusts
      Explore the fundamentals of trusts in Canadian estate planning, including their formation, types, tax considerations, and trustee responsibilities.
    • Taxation
      Comprehensive guide on the role of taxation in Canadian estate planning, focusing on spousal rollovers, deemed dispositions, principal residence exemptions, and effective strategies for minimizing tax liabilities.
    • General Issues to Consider for Estate Planning
      Discover essential considerations for estate planning in Canada, from family dynamics and executor selection to protecting vulnerable beneficiaries, managing digital assets, and staying updated with cross-border complexities.
  • Chapter 17: Investment Management Today
    • Fintech: Transforming Canadian Financial Advisory Services
      Explore how Fintech innovations—ranging from mobile banking and P2P lending to robo-advisors and data analytics—are reshaping the Canadian wealth management landscape, with emphasis on compliance, data security, and client-focused strategies.
    • Robo-Advisory Services in Canadian Wealth Management
      Explore how robo-advisory services utilize sophisticated algorithms and fintech innovations to provide accessible, cost-effective portfolio management solutions in Canada.
    • Smart Beta ETFs
      Discover how Smart Beta ETFs fit into the Canadian wealth management landscape through factor investing, rules-based approaches, and regulatory considerations to enhance portfolio construction.
    • Responsible Investment in Canada: ESG and Sustainable Finance
      Learn how integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into portfolio decisions can align clients’ values with robust risk mitigation and potential long-term growth within the Canadian financial landscape.
  • Chapter 18: Investment Management
    • Portfolio Management Process: Steps in the Portfolio Management Process
      Discover how to set investment objectives, define constraints, and implement effective portfolio strategies tailored to the Canadian financial landscape.
    • Individual Securities or Managed Products?
      A comprehensive exploration of the factors influencing the choice between investing in individual securities and managed products, covering advantages, disadvantages, and key considerations within the Canadian regulatory context.
    • Portfolio Theory
      Explore core concepts of Modern Portfolio Theory, the Capital Asset Pricing Model, Efficient Market Hypothesis, and Behavioural Finance, with practical insights for Canadian financial advisors.
    • International Investing
      Explore how international investing strategies can diversify portfolios and provide growth opportunities for Canadian wealth managers.
  • Chapter 19: Asset Allocation
    • The Asset Allocation Process
      Explore the strategic process of dividing investments across diverse asset classes, aligning client objectives and risk tolerance with long-term market assumptions.
    • Issues in Asset Allocation
      Explore the key issues that Canadian financial planners must address when developing an asset allocation strategy, including changing market conditions, regulatory and tax constraints, currency risk, and client behavioral biases.
    • Strategic Asset Allocation
      Explore the foundations and processes of Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA), its role in long-term portfolio design, and how Canadian investors can use SAA to manage risk and enhance returns.
    • Rebalancing
      Understand how rebalancing strategies help maintain a portfolio's target asset allocation, reduce risk exposure, and manage transaction costs and taxes within the Canadian market.
    • Tactical Asset Allocation
      Explore how Canadian financial advisors use Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) to capitalize on short-term market opportunities. Learn the benefits, risks, and best practices of combining TAA with a long-term strategic core to achieve balanced, risk-adjusted returns.
  • Chapter 20: Equity Securities
    • Characteristics of Equity Securities
      Explore the key features of equity securities, including common and preferred share structures, dividend considerations, and Canadian regulatory frameworks to guide informed investment decisions.
    • Equity Markets in Canada
      Explore the structure, participants, and regulatory landscape of Canadian equity markets including TSX, TSX Venture, and OTC, emphasizing practical knowledge for wealth managers and financial planners.
    • Introduction to Equity Analysis
      Gain a holistic understanding of the methods and tools used to estimate the fair value of equities in Canadian markets, covering both fundamental and technical analysis techniques.
    • Industry Analysis: Essential Strategies for Canadian Equity Investors
      A comprehensive guide on how to analyze various industries using frameworks like GICS, NAICS, and Porter’s Five Forces, focusing on the Canadian market context.
    • Company Analysis and Equity Valuation
      Discover how to interpret company financials, perform ratio analyses, and apply equity valuation models for more informed decision-making in Canadian wealth management.
    • Technical Analysis of Equity Securities
      Explore how historical price patterns, volume data, and technical indicators guide investment decisions, with a focus on Canadian markets and effective risk management.
    • Equity Strategy
      A comprehensive guide to equity strategies, focusing on growth, value, dividend, sector rotation, and ESG investing in the Canadian market context.
  • Chapter 21: Debt Securities: Characteristics, Risks, Trading, and Yield Curves
    • Characteristics of Debt Securities in Canada
      Explore the key features that define Canadian debt securities, including principal, coupon rate, maturity, interest payment structures, and more.
    • Types of Debt Securities
      Explore diverse debt instruments in the Canadian market—from Government of Canada bonds to floating-rate notes. Learn key characteristics, risks, and strategies for effective wealth management.
    • Risks of Debt Securities
      Explore the key risks associated with debt securities in the Canadian market, including interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and more, and learn strategies to manage these risks effectively.
    • Debt Market Trading Mechanics
      Explore the fundamentals of Canadian debt market trading, from primary issuance and underwriting processes to secondary market dynamics, settlement systems, and regulatory oversight.
    • The Term Structure of Interest Rates (Yield Curves)
      Explore how the shape of the yield curve reflects expectations of future interest rates, how it impacts portfolio strategy, and best practices for Canadian wealth advisors.
  • Chapter 22: Debt Securities: Pricing, Volatility and Strategies
    • Bond Market Pricing
      Learn the fundamentals of bond market pricing in Canada, including clean vs. dirty pricing, yield measures, accrued interest calculations, and best practices for financial advisors.
    • Bond Price Volatility
      Explore how interest rate risk, duration, convexity, embedded options, and yield curve shifts drive bond price volatility in the Canadian market, and learn practical strategies for managing this risk.
    • Debt Security Strategies in Canadian Wealth Management
      Explore comprehensive passive and active bond strategies, immunization techniques, and best practices for optimizing fixed-income portfolios within the Canadian regulatory landscape.
  • Chapter 23: Managed Products
    • The Role of Managed Products in Investment Management
      Explore how managed products in Canada—mutual funds, ETFs, wrap programs, and hedge funds—offer convenience, diversification, and professional oversight for investors, with guidelines on regulatory compliance and best practices.
    • Mutual Funds
      Explore the essentials of mutual funds in Canada, including fund structures, regulatory considerations, expense ratios, tax implications, and best practices for advisors and investors.
    • Wrap Products
      Explore how wrap products bundle multiple investment services under a single fee for a streamlined approach to portfolio management and how they thrive within Canada’s regulatory framework.
    • Exchange-Traded Funds
      Explore how ETFs provide intraday liquidity, low-cost index tracking, and versatile portfolio construction opportunities for Canadian investors, along with insights into regulatory requirements, tax efficiency, and best practices for advisors.
    • Hedge Funds
      Comprehensive coverage of hedge funds, their structures, strategies, and regulatory considerations in the Canadian market, helping financial planners guide sophisticated clients effectively.
    • Fees, Portfolio Turnover, and Taxes
      Explore how fees, portfolio turnover, and tax considerations shape managed products, with a focus on Canadian regulatory requirements, tax-efficient strategies, and best practices.
    • Overlay Management
      Explore the use of overlay management to coordinate and optimize portfolio strategies, reduce conflicting trades, enhance risk control, and align sub-portfolios with client objectives in the Canadian wealth management landscape.
    • Outcome-Based Investments
      Explore how outcome-based investments align client-centric financial goals with specialized strategies, leveraging diverse asset classes and protective structures within the Canadian regulatory landscape.
  • Chapter 24: Portfolio Monitoring and Performance Evaluation
    • Portfolio Monitoring
      Explore how regular reviews, risk assessments, strategic rebalancing, and compliance measures ensure portfolios remain aligned with clients’ objectives and regulatory requirements in Canada.
    • Portfolio Performance Evaluation
      Learn how to measure, analyze, and interpret portfolio returns through practical examples, risk-adjusted metrics, and robust attribution techniques. Discover Canadian regulatory requirements and best practices for clear and compliant performance reporting.