Fiduciary Governance Training

FACS™

Comprehensive Fiduciary Examination

What people are saying about
Denali's ERISA Fiduciary Governance Training.

Developed by Denali FM

"Wayne, just a quick note regarding the ERISA Fiduciary Governance Training Course. There were 6 individuals at our company that completed the ERISA Fiduciary Governance Training Course on-line, and I can tell you that they all found the training to be highly relevant to their role as pension plan fiduciaries. The training virtually 'opened our eyes' to the importance of our responsibilities as fiduciaries. With about half of our fiduciaries located outside the United States, we hadn't quite fully appreciated the seriousness of the fiduciary role under ERISA, nor the importance of having proper committee structures in place to manage this fiduciary role. While we thought we already had 'good pension governance practices' in place, we now all have a more thorough understanding of the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of each of the committees and their members.

The training also triggered us to put into place corporate indemnity agreements that serve (in part) to protect employees in their roles as fiduciaries. Getting all our committee members 'on the same page' has resulted in a huge benefit to us - the work is organized, people know what they are accountable for and how they fit into the bigger picture and, because of this, pension meetings are actually not so tough anymore - they're short, to the point and everyone seems to have a level of confidence in the process that makes the business of managing the pension plan a little easier.

This was supposed to be a short note, but I can't say enough about how much I actually came to learn through this training module and how important it was for me to (personally) receive this training. My advise to others - try to ensure all fiduciaries get this type of training - from the top people in the organization through to the HR and payroll staff who are involved in pension matters. The small training cost can pay huge dividends in time savings alone, let alone the huge comfort level gained in knowing that, through knowledge, you've reduced your business risk in this area.

Thanks again,

Blaine Viger
Manager, Corporate Finance
Cameco Corporation

"The ERISA Fiduciary Governance Training offered by Denali through FEI is one of the best courses I have ever taken.  The content is excellent.  The material is divided into sections, beginning with a general overview and then becoming very specific. I liked the ability to view online at my convenience and to listen again to any or all sections. I also appreciate the "Ask a Fiduciary" link on the website to get additional information or ask a question.  I would highly recommend this course!" 
Elaine Robinson, Executive-in Residence
University of Louisville.

"At first I was a little skeptical about "on-line" training, but felt that our committee needed something.  I watched the introduction clip and immediately realized that this training was what we have been looking for over the last several years.  Each area of the training brought new ideas to the surface on how we as a committee could better serve as fiduciaries and minimize our risk.  I recommend that all current committee members take the training and that all future members complete the training before being admitted to the committee.  The value we received easily surpassed the cost." 
Kerry Varney, Plan Administrator
Tanimura and Antle

“Every sentence had information in it. No time wasted.”
Judie Williamson, Human Resources Director
NetIQ Corp.

"It is very well done…you should be proud to have turned out a program so professional.  I'll watch it a few more times, I'm sure”.
Brooks Hamilton, Founder
ERISA Guild and co-founder of the Revere Coalition.

Contact enquiries@denalifm.com for more information about the training.

Introduction to Fiduciary Governance is a video-based interactive format providing a clear, in-depth look at fiduciary governance today and in the future. This comprehensive course provides executive-level guidance and solutions for the primary challenges fiduciaries face now. The training course includes 'The 10 Biggest Challenges'.

Upon completion of this training, you should have a working knowledge of the following subjects:

• The 10 Biggest ERISA fiduciary challenges/mistakes and the solutions to those challenges.
• Requirements of retirement plan compliance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
• Who is a fiduciary to your retirement plan, who is not and when/how a person or entity acquires a fiduciary status.
• Clear understanding of the relationship and legal status of vendors and service providers to your retirement plan.
• The two primary rules of ERISA plan governance.
• ERISA statutory retirement plan monitoring requirements.
• Vendor/service provider conflicts of interest and how they impact the Plan and fiduciary behavior.
• Basics of investment monitoring as they apply to ERISA trust assets (and how this is different from your personal investments).
• Practices and procedures that exemplify a high standard of fiduciary governance.
• How to recognize and avoid ERISA prohibited transactions that may disqualify your retirement plan.
• Required or desired documentation for comprehensive governance and ERISA litigation deterrence and defense.
• Processes and monitoring steps to deter government investigation.
• When and how to protect your Board of Directors from fiduciary liability.

Who should take this training?

The training is appropriate for all retirement plan fiduciaries (members of a retirement plan committee and individually-named trustees). It is also appropriate for the appointing fiduciaries (the entire Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of the retirement plan sponsor, as appropriate). In addition, it is also valuable for the following to complete the course:

• Internal company support staff to the plan sponsor’s fiduciaries, specifically finance, treasury or human resources.
• Plan service providers such as:
• Insurance and securities brokers.
• Registered investment advisors.
• Corporate legal counsel and corporate compliance officers.
• Vendor sales and service representatives of mutual fund companies, insurance companies and banks that provide products and services to the Plan.
• Certified Public Accountants.

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Content and Format

This training is video-based. The video portion is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes in duration. During the video, there are breaks where a number of true/false questions will be presented for your completion. The questions are not difficult and are designed to reinforce the learning of the material you have just viewed. The quiz sections are formatted so that if you answer a question incorrectly the first time, you will immediately have a second opportunity to answer a question on the same subject material. There is also a quiz section at the end. To pass the training and obtain a certificate attesting to your completion, you must obtain a passing grade of 70% or better on the quiz sections.

During the video, you will view several vignettes illustrating real-life conflicts and situations faced by fiduciaries. These vignettes are based on actual situations and circumstances witnessed by the professionals at Denali FM over the past 20+ years of working with retirement plan fiduciaries.

The total time required to complete the training is estimated between four and five hours depending on the time you require to complete the true/false questions. You have control of the training with the ability to stop and/or rewind the video. You may also pause the training and resume at a later time at the pause point, even if not on the same day. You may complete the training in any location you choose.

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Technical Requirements

This training is based on streaming video requiring the use of Windows Media Player. A broadband Internet connection is highly recommended. The video presentation will not work effectively on a dial-up internet connection.

Continuing Education Credit

The training is approved for 5 hours of recertification credit for Society of Human Resources professionals. The course is also approved for 4 CPE credits for Certified financial planners. Other credits are pending or will be applied for. For an update on credit availability, please contact Denali Fiduciary Management Corporation (enquiries@denalifm.com). Note that per the terms of continuing education credit granting agencies, no credit can be granted retroactively once the training course is completed.

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Contact enquiries@denalifm.com for more information about the training.