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FAQ: frequently asked questions

1)How do I get started as a broker?
2)What is the success rate?
3)Who writes the courses?
4)What if I have a question?
5)Who will place me and sponsor me for the exam?
6)What earnings can I expect?
7)How do I become an RIA or CFP* licensee, or a CTA?
8)I want a Live Course... how do I get one?.
9)I have the exams already passed or I have someone elses course and I just want to take the exam and get placed.
10)We are a Stock Broker or Futures Broker Firm and we want new brokers. Can you Help?
11)I'm an Insurance Broker or CFP*, how do I earn CE credits?
12)Why do I need an Ethics Course?
13)Why the disclosures in your advertising?
14)Who is the licensing authority?
15)How can I order?
16)How much study time is suggested?
17)Do I need some formal education?
18)What are the duties of a Stock or Futures Broker?
19)When can I get a salary?
20)Can you send me a written brochure?
21)Can I prepare for the exam on the internet.
22)Do you have other courses like the Series 30,31,32 33 etc.?
23)What is with all the other "Series" courses.
24)How do I become a CFP*?
25)Tell me about your authorizations/approvals for CE and CPE

1)How do I get started as a broker?

First you purchase our Series 3 futures or Series 7 Stock Broker training course. Cost is $495. It comeswith disks, reference guides, thousands of sample questions and pages of information. We also have internet training which also comes with reference guides. If you only want the books, those are also available. These prices have been the same since 1985. In all that time there has been no price increase. We are able to do that thru efficiencies such as using internet marketing and training rather than brochure mailings.

2)What is the success rate?

We guarantee you will pass the exam or we pay your first test fee. We however will need proof that you received top scores on your practice tests, so we will need to receive the disks back which will be proof of your studying. Or if internet training then we can review that from the offices. Our formula for success is so good that I don't recall any recent test payments made in quite some time.

3)Who writes the courses?

A staff of persons writes the course both in house and out of house. We also have outside and inside authors and various partners from our company and/or other companies who write our materials.

4)What if I have a question?

You will have access to our toll free instructor lines and to other services.

5)Who will place me and sponsor me for the exam?

The Series 3 futures course exam is $75 currently. We will arrange sponsorship and placement for you of the exam. There is no charge for placement. We will not give anyone the name of a company to whom we place until we have proof of passing and of course proof of purchase. The Series 7 Stock Broker exam requires you to actually become a member of the NASD and pay all their annual dues, exam fees up front, fingerprint cards, processing etc. Prior to taking the Series 7 exam you will be required to interview with firms who will do a "due diligence" review of you. That same firm will "HIRE" you either as independent contractor or as an employee. Many of our people keep their existing jobs, then work for a financial planning NASD member firm where you can work out of your home office and market various securities products which are cleared thru the brokerage firm. We have many NASD members who are primarily financial planners who are looking for commissioned sales reps even out of their own homes. Many are looking for part time people who can even sell investments to co workers etc. NASD rules require that your intent is to go to work for your sponsor firm. If, when you pass the exam, you decide to go elsewhere, usually there is nothing stopping you. However the costs are $800 for the exam, Series 7 and 63 state exam, NASD fees, processing, fingerprint cards etc. Compare this with the $75 for the Series 3 and you see that there is a significant up front cost difference. Neither the Series 3 exam or Series 7 exam fees need be paid up front. Only when you are taking the courses should you do that. We can only begin processing your exam requests when a check is received for that amount. Credit cards not accepted for the examination process. We do not charge for placement. It is free. However we only place usually in commissioned positions or independent contractor situations, which is the definition of "placement" and we do not guarantee a salary up front. If there is any negative, or criminal background, we can not guarantee placement. Also, adequate "normal" communication skills and demeanor are also required.

6)What earnings can I expect?

Your earnings can range from zero to a million a year depending on your client base, how much you work, what you put into it etc.

7)How do I become an RIA or CFP* licensee, or a CTA?

A CTA Commodity Trading Advisor requires a Series 3. Take the exam is all you do. Then you fill out some paper work. Two types of CTA's are one that simply gives advice and writes newsletters and the other is one that takes a percentage of profits and/or gets fees for trading strategies based on trading volume. Both require a Series 3.
A CFP* is a Certified Financial Plannerî requiring you to take all the prerequisite 5 courses that we offer. You will then need to sign up to take the exam and register with the CFP* Board, Inc. or one of its associated Colleges such as the College for Financial Planning in Denver, for taking of the exam series. Once registered, you are now a "licensee" permitted to use the "mark" of the CFP* Board. Any financial professional can also be a CFP*, even a real estate broker. Each State also has regulatory requirements you must meet in your own individual profession.
A RIA is a Registered Investment Advisor. Many CFP*'sî are also RIA's. An RIA is a registered Professional registered with the State you are doing business in. An RIA is required to fill out forms for a license and take certain exams. Find out from your State what they are currently requiring. See our list of courses and the Series 66 description which probably is required in your State. We have the exam courses for each State but we do not keep up on what each State requires. YOU must do that and we provide the course which is self study. We have the information for the requirements under each state in this web site, click here for information on state by state requirements. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Again, most probably it is the Series 66 for securities and Series 3 for a CTA.

8)I want a Live Course... how do I get one?.

While our Self study computerized courses are designed scientifically for you to pass quickly and easily, Live courses are available in Florida for Stock Broker Training. They are 5 day classes available every month every 3rd week. . The other courses are offered with instructor training if you have a group.

9)I have the exams already passed or I have someone elses course and I just want to take the exam and get placed.

If you have the exam passed already and you have a "book" of clients we do not charge you for placement.If you have no "book" of clients and you are licensed, simplye mail your resume to us and we will see what we can do. Otherwise if you are simply looking for a new firm to go to and you have lastbeen licensed 2 years ago or less, forward $800 for the series 7 and / or $250 for the series 3, with a resume and we will place you in a situation as a job or as an independent contractor. If you have simply want to take the exam and have not taken our course, your exam fees and sponsorship etc. are $1000 for the Series 7 and/or $295 forthe Series 3 including all test fees. Note that most companies require you obtain errors and omissions Insurance. These fees and any ongoing or other non registration fees are not included in what we provide or pay. E and O Insurance may be purchased through your own private insurance carrier in many instances or may be added on to your homeowners or business insurance policy.

10)We are a Stock Broker or Futures Broker Firm and we want new brokers. Can you Help?

We have a placement program for every City in the Country. Contact us and we will talk about how we can help you design a program for you to recruit qualified candidates quickly and easily. We have a proven method of recruiting.

11)I'm an Insurance Broker or CFP*, how do I earn CE credits?

Our Series 7 and Series 3 programs and others are many times authorized by the State agency or CFP* Board. Many of our Courses are authorized by CHFC and CLU. For instance you can take one course say, Retirement Planning, get multiple credits for CFP*, CHFC,CLU and Insurance in your State all at the same time. Registration certificates are $25 for each entity after the first one.

12)Why do I need an Ethics Course?

For Series 3 futures course purchasers, as a "special" when you ask for it, brokers, we provide free ethics courseswith the purchase . Within 6 months of becoming registered you will need this course which is authorized by the CFTC. We recommend taking it before you take the exam since it will help you in the regulations section . You will need 70% to pass this section on the Series 3 as well as 70% on the remaining portions of the exam.

13)Why the disclosures in your advertising?

Many of them are required by the various agencies. CFP* Board requires a disclosure, so do other entities. Particularly the CFTC ethics programs require a disclosure even if we provide the courses to you for free.

14)Who is the licensing authority?

Interesting you ask. It depends on the course. The insurance courses are regulated by each of the 50 States. The CFP* CLU and ChFC credit is authorized by those respective Boards. The NASD Series courses are as yet unregulated but copyrights are granted by the Federal government. The Series 3 ethics courses are regulated by the NFA and CFTC.

15)How can I order?

Order the courses any way you want via credit card or mail us a check to: 1400 Sailboat WPB FL 33414. We have a credit card system by e mail aaasun7@bellsouth.net or simply call us at 800-344-0335 or fax us at 561-791-7380. Exam fees can not be paid on credit card.

16)How much study time is suggested?

50 hours for the Series 3 and 140 hours for the Series 7. Time varies with experience.

17)Do I need some formal education?

The main thing is the ability to pass the exam and have no negative criminal or psychological or other severe problem in which the firm would have problem wanting to keep you as an associate. The firms have a fiduciary responsibility to ensure safety to the public. We in recruiting you essentially "off the street" also have a duty to advise you that if there is a felony, other criminal or other negative background we would ask you to refrain from registration.

18)What are the duties of a Stock or Futures Broker?

Duties include primarily the handling of customer and their investment accounts.

19)When can I get a salary?

Usually some firms will offer a small stipend but not many. Most put you on commission. Futures brokers will have and provide qualified leads. Stock brokers many times do not. Some discount houses will provide salaries but you wind up being essentially an order taker rather than a "broker" otherwise known as an AP associated person or a RR registered representative.

20)Can you send me a written brochure?

No. E mail or fax is the only way we do it. Sorry.

21)Can I prepare for the exam on the internet.

Yes. We can provide you access to the internet training at the same prices. This is new.

22)Do you have other courses like the Series 30,31,32 33 etc.?

Yes. We have many courses not listed here on the internet. Simply ask and ye shall receive.

23)What is with all the other "Series" courses.

Don't worry about those. They are only for seasoned professionals who need a Series 24, for instance, which is the course to become a management professional in a supervisory capacity for a securities firm. These other courses are simply put, for becoming a management entity in a securities firm. If you are new concentrate on the Series 7 or Series 3.

24)How do I become a CFP*?

First off, if you are a lawyer or in an"exempt" category you can challenge the final exam and take that. We have a course for youto become a CFP*. If you are not permitted to take the "challenge" examination, then you will be required to attend an authorized schoolor college in person or take a five course self study training regimen. We can provide you with schools names in your area if you wish when you buy our our "review" course package. We guarantee you pass the 5 module exams or we refund your money.* We require however that you meetcertain standards including getting 90's on the practice exams among other requirements. Our review courses are designed to help you pass immediately while spending 20% of the time it normally would take to study the required regimen.25. I want to become an insurance broker. We have study materials in each State to help you pass the Life Health or Casualty exams. See our new Insurance Course offerings as well as our vast array of continuing education courses. Most of these courses are in book form due to the physical exam taking requirements of the various States.

25)Tell me about your authorizations/approvals for CE and CPE

We have CE for accounting, CPA, Insurance life and health and property casualty and CPU,CFP, ChFC etc. The "sponsor" organizations are either A AAA Financial Planning Institute or a bunch of other affiliated authors and or institutions with various approvals under a variety of authorship names and or institutional "sponsors". Each of our courses is verified as to its current status with the governing body, State or CFP or CPA type self regulatory authority or State. Sometimes it may take up to 8 business hours to re verify your order for accuracy as to credit hours or current status to ensure that you get what you are paying for. If our course is deemed not updated, we will advise you and we will not sell the course, even if it is approved by a licensing authority as we try to keep our courses fresh, updated as to the current tax codes and or rules regulations and applicable laws.