Financial Knowledge

Your employees want to feel confident that they are making the best financial decisions for the future. The worry and uncertainty of financial concerns can affect their job productivity and leave them riddled with doubts and fears. The lack of adequate knowledge and proper planning in money management makes it difficult for them to balance today’s needs and tomorrow’s wants. With the onset of COVID-19, financial worries have reached new levels. At this crucial juncture, employees are looking for guidance and knowledge to better manage money.

“We believe that financial wellness begins with financial education,” says Darcy McLarty, Director of Programs for Financial Knowledge. Headquartered in San Jose, CA, this woman-owned financial education company is on a mission to provide its clients’ employees with the knowledge and skills that will empower them to make informed personal finance decisions. Aware of the fact that a happier employee is more productive, Financial Knowledge strives to enable employees to lead a life free of financial woes.

Financial Knowledge partners with an array of clients including but not limited to, top Fortune 100 companies, mid-size law firms, small start-ups and even county retirement systems to offer comprehensive financial education programs. With a course catalogue covering over 50 different topics in the subject areas of financial management, investing, retirement planning, tax planning, employee benefits and college funding, Financial Knowledge has customized programs to fit any size business. Unlike its competitors, Financial Knowledge is accredited through The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to meet a higher standard of education-based learning. IACET authorizes Financial Knowledge to provide Continuing Education Units (CEU) to course participants. “We are proud of being a pure education company with no bias, hidden agendas, or ancillary products to sell,” McLarty adds.

At the outset of the client engagement, Financial Knowledge swiftly captures key information about potential course attendees by having its clients’ employees fill out a ‘needs analysis’ survey. The survey results help the client gain insights into what topics their employee population values and will benefit from the most. “When it comes to retirement planning we offer leveled courses based on career stage. Starting with financial planning for early career employees, wealth management for mid-career employees, and successful retirement living for those employees nearing retirement,” informs McLarty.

We believe that financial wellness begins with financial education

“The length of our courses ranges from thirty minutes to two hours.” The company updates courses on a regular basis on any changes in government regulatory requirements, tax laws, and newly passed programs, such as CARES Act and The Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the client-centric company has introduced two new courses to help employees navigate money management and investments through these uncertain times.

Through the 90-minute live webcast course, which is the company’s most popular offering, CFP^® instructors teach engaging content and promote interaction by conducting polls and encouraging questions through the live chat feature. An additional 30-minute open discussion after the session gives employees the opportunity to fill in any knowledge gaps they may have by getting their questions answered in real time. Employees who are not able to attend schedules courses can access and view recorded classes at their own convenience, 24/7. Every course includes a robust workbook containing in-depth content, exercises, and a resource section.

At the conclusion of each course, participants are asked to fill out a feedback form to rate the course overall and instructor performance, with granular focus on presentation skills, knowledge level, and interaction level. “We also ask the attendees to rate their knowledge on the subject matter before attending the course and after. On average, we have observed an average knowledge increase of 64 percent which shows we are really making a difference,” says McLarty. Recently, one of the attendees commented: “I just wanted to say that this is amazing. I’m very early in my career and am just beginning to have to worry about stocks, 401(k)’s, and many other finance-related matters for the first time in my life. I did not know anything about any of this stuff, and it would always stress me out, but I have watched/attended so many webinars and Financial Knowledge has easily been the single most informative and impactful resource I may have ever used. I feel so much more confident about my financial situation now and it feels amazing.”

Financial Knowledge is unwavering in its passion to create more success stories in the future.