Most professional and designation programs focus on left-brained, technical knowledge base.  Alliance U offers a more balanced approach incorporating the right-brained, human and business skill sets necessary to succeed in the real-world environment, namely the critical overlays of Personal Skill Sets (personality traits, leadership, and communication) and Business Skill Sets (team building, marketing, and profitability).  The opening three-day coursework teaches best-in-class competencies in the following ten (10) core service offerings, as first put forth in The Family Wealth Alliance’s Multifamily Office Standards that were released in 2005.  They are:

Consolidated Reporting & Custody
Family Office Relationship managers should be able to support clients by helping to identify and build out technology that offers integrated solutions.  This course will serve to assist relationship managers in obtaining a better understanding of systems data aggregation and reporting complexities associated with diversified portfolios, as well as a review and knowledge of on-line reporting, tax planning and compliance.

Estate and Wealth Transfer
The estate and wealth transfer course will examine the latest techniques in transfer tax, income tax, business planning strategies, both corporately and closely –held growing enterprises.  Additionally, it will bring perspective on family-owned and privately run business entities involving tax treatment of gifts; basis rules; and discount rules.

Integrated Financial Planning
One of the growing trends within a family office structure is the integration of financial planning.  This course will include how to consider strategies for all stages of life, analyze tax consequences and conduct annual reviews to include cash needs and budget analysis.

Risk Management
Asset protection is a key component of managing risk within a family office environment.  In this course you will learn of methods for protecting and shielding family and business assets, and indentify the appropriate vehicles to guide your planning needs for families and businesses.

Tax Preparation, Planning and Compliance
Family Office managers face multiply challenges and opportunities in structuring plans for the affluent.  This course helps to educate those who serve families and individuals in the area of tax issues, philanthropy planning, tax sensitive investing while focusing on the requirements to maintaining the appropriate records.

Strategic Philanthropy
This course will focus on income, estate and gift tax consequence of gifts to charities covering the rules for both public charities and private charities; including  private foundations.  It will also explore the practice of “targeted” philanthropy for those individuals and families that want to make the most of their giving opportunities.

Family Communication & Governance
Family communication and decision making is so important in today’s family office practice.  This course is being offered to help Family Office managers explore the differences between the business of the family and the family business.  This course will focus on the governance structures needed to guide the family along the way.

Portfolio Management
Improve clients’ confidence in you in turbulent times by attending this course to discuss which investments are appropriate for different types of structures and how to apply analytical data and research  to the many different type of product structures.  Also, explore what is the asset allocation for families and individuals.

Life Management
There are several niche areas unique to these families which require the streamlining and strategic services of Life Management Firms to: Provide an objective, consultative and holistic approach; Bridge the financial and non-financial lives of families; and Address the barriers and issues that prevent families from taking action; and Customize solutions for each family situation.

Fiduciary & Trust Services
This course will focus on the fiduciary powers and duties of executors and trustees in the administration of estates and trusts.  The topics will include qualifications of a fiduciary, conflicts of interest of a fiduciary and potential solutions for a customized plan for your families.

To tie it all together, the case study method is utilized to confirm these core competencies, as well as to weave in integration, and to practice and hone participants’ communication and leadership skills.

To download a PDF version of our opening course descriptions, please click here.