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INVESTMENT BASICS FOR FUDUCIARIES

INVESTMENT BASICS FOR FUDUCIARIES

A Certificate Program

Designed for trust and estate professionals, this program provides essential investment knowledge for those who administer estates, trusts, and manage the financial affairs of incapable persons.

By connecting investment fundamentals to real-world fiduciary decision-making, this program empowers professionals to navigate their responsibilities with confidence and compliance.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS PROGRAM?

This program is ideal for trust and estate practitioners who make or oversee investment decisions in a fiduciary capacity. It is particularly suited for executors, trustees, attorneys, or guardians for property, lawyers, accountants, financial planners, trust officers, and administrators seeking a practical, Canadian-focused foundation in fiduciary investing.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

Fiduciary Roles & Responsibilities: Clarify the core duties and powers of executors, trustees, and decision-makers for incapable clients, including the duty to account.

Investment Fundamentals: Understand how Canada’s investment industry functions and the products fiduciaries commonly encounter (cash, fixed income, equities, pooled funds). You will also receive an introduction to registered accounts and insurance.

Portfolio Management Basics: Build fluency in theory, process, and practical portfolio construction to support informed investment management.

Legal & Tax Context for Fiduciaries: Apply legal and administrative rules to real scenarios, such as delegation of investment powers and investment considerations in estate, trust, and attorney/guardianship administration.

AT A GLANCE

Format: Fully online, self-paced.
Assessments are on-demand.
Access: Course materials
available for one (1) year from
registration.
Downloadable content and
online practice activities.
Credential: Investment Basics for Fiduciaries — Certificate
Complete IB.2, IB.3, and IB.4. IB.1 is optional for those already
working in trusts & estates.
Your Study Path

Choose the Courses That Best Support Your Practice:
To earn the certificate, participants must complete IB.2, IB.3, and IB.4. IB.1 is recommended for those who are new to the trusts and estates field or seeking a refresher.

Refer to the Study Path diagram for a clear overview of the course progression.

INVESTMENT BASICS 1
Introduction to the Canadian Trust Industry
Course Objective: Understand the key duties of executors, trustees, and decision-makers for incapable clients.
  • Module 1: Introduction to the Trust Industry
  • Module 2: Fiduciary Roles
  • Module 3: Duties and Powers
  • Module 4: Duty to Account
INVESTMENT BASICS 2
Introduction to the Canadian Investment Industry
Course Objective: Understand how the investment industry functions and the types of investments that fiduciaries may invest in.
  • Module 1: Introduction to the Investment Industry
  • Module 2: Types of Investments
  • Module 3: Cash and Fixed Income Investments
  • Module 4: Equity Investments
  • Module 5: Pooled Funds
  • Module 6: Introduction to Registered Accounts and Insurance
INVESTMENT BASICS 3
Portfolio Management
Course Objective: Understand the process for managing investment portfolios.
  • Module 1: Introduction to Portfolio Management
  • Module 2: Portfolio Management – Theory and Approaches
  • Module 3: Putting Portfolio Management into Practice
INVESTMENT BASICS 4
Applying Fiduciary Principles to the Investment Process
Course Objective: Apply legal and administration rules governing fiduciaries to practical scenarios for informed, responsible decision‑making.
  • Module 1: Legal and Administration Considerations
  • Module 2: Delegating Fiduciary Investment Powers
  • Module 3: Estate Administration and Investments
  • Module 4: Trust Administration and Investments
  • Module 5: Power of Attorney and Guardianship Administration and Investments

Delivery & Assessment

Self-paced e-learning: Complete readings and online practice activities when convenient.

Assessment: One on-demand final assessment attempt is included for each course.

How To Register

Register online at step.ca. Questions? Please email us education@step.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Financial Investment

Course Member Non-Member
IB 1: Introduction to the Canadian Trust Industry $275 $345
IB 2: Introduction to the Canadian Investment Industry $475 $595
IB 3: Portfolio Management $275 $345
IB 4: Applying Fiduciary Principles to the Investment Process $475 $595

* IB 1 is optional for individuals already working in trusts & estates. It is essential for those with little or no experience.

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