Elevate Your Education with Our Immersive Masterclass Programs

4-Session Advanced Training • 2 CE Credits per Session

Approved/Eligible for: CFP®, IAR (NASAA), CPA, and EA continuing education

Modern executive and employee compensation packages are more complex than ever—blending salary, performance-based incentives, equity awards, and long-term wealth-building opportunities. Financial advisors, tax professionals, and planners must understand these structures not only to guide clients effectively, but also to help them maximize value, minimize tax exposure, and align compensation decisions with long-range financial goals.

The Equitable Compensation & Stock Options Masterclass is a 4-session deep dive designed for professionals who want to master the tax, planning, valuation, and strategic advisory considerations surrounding stock options and equity-based compensation. Across 10 CE hours, participants will gain practical, real-world skills to evaluate compensation packages, model tax outcomes, structure exercise strategies, and advise corporate executives, business owners, and employees navigating incentive programs.

What This Masterclass Covers

Across four highly focused sessions, attendees will examine:

• Fundamentals of Equity Compensation

Understand the structure, purpose, and variations of equity-based compensation, including RSUs, restricted stock, incentive stock options (ISOs), nonqualified stock options (NQSOs), ESPPs, phantom stock, performance shares, and profits interests.

• Taxation & Compliance

Learn the federal and state tax rules governing ISOs, NQSOs, RSUs, and other awards; identify reporting obligations; and understand AMT exposure, timing considerations, and planning opportunities for high-income clients.

• Optimization & Exercise Strategies

Model the financial and tax impact of exercising options, including early exercise, 83(b) elections, liquidity considerations, and multi-year tax planning techniques.

• Executive Compensation Planning

Explore advanced planning for executives, founders, and key employees—including corporate governance, cliffs and vesting schedules, change-of-control events, and golden parachute (280G) issues.

• Business Succession & Exit Planning Connections

Examine how compensation packages interact with M&A events, valuation changes, private-company liquidity planning, and pre-exit strategy formation.

• Risk Management & Advisor Best Practices

Learn how to protect clients from concentration risk, diversify effectively, and implement compliant, ethics-aligned advisory processes.

Who Should Attend

This masterclass is designed for:

• Financial Advisors (CFP®, IAR) advising executive and high-net-worth clients

• CPAs and EAs providing tax planning and compliance support

• Financial Planners, Wealth Managers & Investment Consultants

• Estate and Business Planning Professionals

• Professional Advisors working with startups, private companies, or pre-IPO clients

Whether you work with tech employees, corporate executives, business owners, or professional families, this series will elevate your ability to interpret, model, and strategize equity compensation.

Masterclass Format

• 4 live online sessions

• 2 CE credits per session (8 total hours)

• Interactive Q&A, real-world case studies, and downloadable planning tools

• Recordings provided for all registrants

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this masterclass, participants will be able to:

• Accurately interpret and explain equity compensation arrangements

• Evaluate stock option agreements and determine tax treatment

• Design multi-year exercise and sale strategies for maximum client benefit

• Identify risks and planning opportunities in complex compensation structures

• Guide clients through liquidity events, corporate transitions, and valuation shifts

• Comply with regulatory and ethical requirements for compensation-related advice

Masterclass Program Schedule

Session #1: TBD

Tuesesday, Feb. 3, 2026 | 3:00-5:30 PM ET (including Q&A)

Session #2: TBD

Tuesesday, Feb. 10, 2026 | 3:00-5:30 PM ET (including Q&A)

Session #3: TBD

Tuesesday, Feb. 17, 2026 | 3:00-5:30 PM ET (including Q&A)

Session #4: TBD

Tuesesday, Feb. 24, 2026 | 3:00-5:30 PM ET (including Q&A)

Continuing Education (CE) Credits

Each live session will provide 2 CE credits to subscribers with the CFP®, CLU, ChFC, and RICP designations. CPE and EA subscribers can also earn 2 CPE credits for each live session. Each session will provide 2 CE credits for Investment Adviser Representatives. CE-eligible replays will also be available for CFP®, American College, and IARs.