The Best IAR CE on Self-Directed IRAs

The Best IAR CE on Self-Directed IRAs

Andrew Gluck Andrew Gluck
6 minute read

You've Found the Best IAR CE on SDIRAs   

If you’re an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) searching for the best IAR CE on Self-Directed IRAs, this post is just what you're looking for. Self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs) are on the way to becoming a mainstay of financial planning but for now remain underutilized. IARs, CFPs, CPAs, and CIMAs need to know about topic and this one class can help practitioners confidently guide clients in using retirement accounts for private investments.

Unlock the Power of Alternative Investments in Retirement Accounts

Led by Mat Sorensen—CEO of Directed IRA, attorney, and bestselling author—this 58-minute course delivers actionable insights grounded in over 20 years of experience, and details about his own personal investments. It satisfies CE requirements across NASAA, CFP Board, IWI, and NASBA while enhancing your real-world advisory skillset.

Why Alternatives Belong in Retirement Planning

Alternative assets are disrupting traditional 60/40 portfolios. With $44 trillion in U.S. retirement accounts—and $17 trillion in IRAs alone—the time is right to understand how clients can use funds in SDIRAs to invest in real estate, startups, and private lending. This is not theoretical content; the class covers what you need to know to help clients act legally and effectively.

Whether your client wants to buy a duplex, fund a startup, or finance a private loan, Mat Sorensen's debut class on Advisors4Advisors about SDIRAs covers it. You’ll walk away knowing how to execute these deals without triggering IRS penalties.

10 Learning Objectives That Elevate Your Practice

1. Understand the size and potential of retirement account assets. $44 trillion in U.S. retirement accounts drives investment interest.

2. Recognize why IRAs suit long-term private asset investments. IRAs match private investments’ illiquidity and long-term horizon.

3. Identify growing trends in alternative asset classes. Private funds, real estate, startups, and lending are surging.

4. Better help clients with private investments. Most clients invest privately without wealth manager assistance.

5. Understand rules on what IRAs can’t own. Collectibles, S-corps, and life insurance are generally prohibited.

6. Avoid prohibited transactions with disqualified persons. IRAs can't transact with family or self-owned entities.

7. Evaluate popular private asset strategies for IRAs. Common strategies include rentals, funds, lending, and startups.

8. Use IRA-owned LLCs for asset control and efficiency. LLCs enable faster, flexible IRA transactions with checkbook control.

9. Apply UBIT and UDFI rules to avoid surprise taxes. UBIT applies to active business income and leveraged deals.

10. Choose a qualified custodian to ensure compliance and safety. Use regulated trust companies, not third-party administrators.

Gain a Fiduciary Edge

This class gives you the tools to serve high-net-worth and entrepreneurial clients with confidence. You’ll learn to offer specialized guidance on private investments inside tax-advantaged accounts—an important competitive advantage.

Examples You Can Actually Use

From Mitt Romney investing in Staples pre-IPO, to Peter Thiel’s $5 billion Roth IRA, this course includes high-profile case studies. You’ll also see how Mr. Sorensen himself used his SDIRA to acquire and profit from a single-family rental in Indianapolis and other personal investing anecdotes. One client used a C-corporation blocker to reduce taxes from 37% to 21% when investing in a real estate development through a Roth IRA.

Plain-English Explanations + Technical Accuracy

What sets this IAR CE apart is its balance of technical depth and practical language. You don’t just learn rules—you learn how to apply them. For tax professionals and compliance officers, the course references IRS code (IRC §4975), court cases like Ellis v. Commissioner, and Swanson v. Commissioner.

Compliance Without Complexity

Worried about SDIRA rules being too complex? This session simplifies them. Learn how to identify disqualified persons, avoid self-dealing, and structure investments that pass scrutiny. You’ll know which questions to ask custodians and how to verify investment eligibility.

Keep More Clients Under Your Guidance

When you understand SDIRAs, you prevent clients from seeking advice on risk assets elsewhere. Instead of losing business to online influencers, become the trusted voice for alternative asset strategies.

This Is The Best IAR CE on Self Directed IRAs

If you’re searching for “best IAR CE” or “best IAR CE on Self Directed IRAs,” we believe you will address this class provides just that. This course offers insight into implementation that exceeds expectations typical of professional education classes.

Beyond Credits: Real ROI for Your Practice

This class is not just CE for the sake of credits. It’s a professional upgrade. Advisors who understand SDIRAs are shaping the next generation of client-centered financial planning. Register now for the best IAR CE on Self-Directed IRAs in 2025.

Why This Matters for Fiduciary Standards

SDIRAs aren't just an opportunity; they are a fiduciary imperative for advisors aiming to provide holistic, future-ready guidance. This CE session reinforces ethical responsibilities by helping advisors avoid conflicts of interest and fulfill the duty of care. 

Many professionals hesitate to recommend SDIRAs due to compliance concerns. This course demystifies the process, offering step-by-step guidance for structuring deals within the bounds of the law.

Ask the Right Questions, Deliver Better Advice

The session shows how to evaluate investment eligibility, screen for disqualified persons, and work with clients to ensure proper IRA/LLC structuring. It also covers critical reporting obligations that, if missed, could lead to penalties.

The Bottom Line

By mastering SDIRAs, you empower clients, grow your practice, and stay ahead of the curve. The best IAR CE on self-directed IRAs isn’t just a checkbox—it’s a toolkit for tomorrow’s trusted advisors.

What Makes This the Best IAR CE in 2025

The financial landscape is shifting toward alternatives, and advisors who ignore self-directed retirement accounts risk falling behind. This CE class is built to empower professionals with knowledge that delivers both compliance and investment performance benefits. 

Real-World Impact on Your Practice

Instead of losing assets to self-directed DIY platforms or ill-informed influencers, you’ll be able to keep client funds within your practice. Advisors who understand SDIRAs retain more assets and expand their service offering.

Support and Tools You Can Use

You’ll also gain resources to guide client conversations and build your own reference materials. These include checklists, compliance guardrails, and examples that make implementation simple.

Be the Advisor Clients Recommend

When you can guide a client through a complex SDIRA transaction, you become indispensable. Word spreads, referrals follow, and your value rises.

Join the Movement

Thousands of advisors are adding SDIRA knowledge to their toolkit. Join them and future-proof your advisory practice while delivering real value to clients eager to diversify.

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