Introducing How to Finance: A Beginner’s Guide to the Industry

One of our primary roles as educators is to bridge gaps in knowledge. Our newest course, How to Finance, A Beginner’s Guide to the Industry, teaches the fundamentals needed for SIE prep, ideal for anyone who lacks a background in finance or could use a refresh.

Launching on July 1, National Financial Freedom Day, How to Finance is designed to boost financial acumen, providing the essential financial skills needed to make more educated decisions in your life, or for your department or organization, no matter what industry you pursue. When you can “speak” the language of money, you operate at an advantage, because finance is the way businesses keep score.

“We’re excited to make it easier for someone without a finance background to take their first step into the securities industry,” says Ian Franklin, Faculty, and Managing Director, Product Development at Knopman Marks. “By launching this course on National Financial Freedom Day, we’re acknowledging the critical role education plays in good economic decision-making.”

“We’re excited to make it easier for someone without a finance background to take their first step into the securities industry.”

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for anyone interested in entering the financial profession who may lack a traditional background in finance or who would benefit from a primer before studying for the SIE Exam. Maybe you have a goal of becoming a licensed financial professional but want to learn about the industry to gauge if it is a viable career option. Maybe you are like many Americans who understand that knowledge of the securities industry is power and will ultimately help you make sound financial decisions. Or maybe you simply want to know more about investing.

“If you feel intimidated by the securities industry, this course presents the fundamentals using relatable, real-world examples to bring the content to life,” says Dave Meshkov, Managing Director, Product Design and Innovation at Knopman Marks. “You will finish the course feeling more confident about your financial literacy.”

“This course is ideal for anyone entering the industry who lacks a traditional background in finance and could benefit from a primer before studying for the SIE.”

What Does “How to Finance” Cover?

The content is aligned with the SIE Exam, serving as a pre-SIE primer. The course design is clear, practical, and loaded with real-world examples.

The online course consists of 14 units developed by our KM faculty and contains creative content that is approachable and fun. Each unit is presented by two instructors whose conversational teaching approach is designed to enhance the learning experience.

“I wanted candidates to hear the content explained by different voices in an engaging dialogue,” Meshkov says. “With this format, the content is explained by one faculty member and then recapped by another. This allows internal processing time, so students can capture the core idea.”

Each unit also includes a pre-test, an average of 30 minutes of video content, and a post-test. Students will have the option to “test-out” of a unit based on their knowledge of the content. How to Finance is offered “on demand,” allowing students to move through the content at their own pace. On average, the course can be completed in two weeks. A final assessment will test the student’s overall understanding of the securities industry.

“How to Finance prepares candidates for SIE training and provides them with a solid foundation on which to build a successful career.”

Why We Need an On-Ramp to SIE Training

The course grew out of the increase in students studying for the SIE Exam who lacked a background in finance. The industry-wide push to attract a more diverse talent pool means that non-traditional hires from varying professional backgrounds, who may have little to no experience in the securities industry, can now consider a career in the securities industry. How to Finance is designed to prepare a new generation of candidates for SIE training and the SIE exam.

“We are working to help broaden access to careers in financial services through How to Finance, as well as our Study Essentials course and our SIE Scholarship,” says Liza Streiff, CEO of Knopman Marks. “In this way, we hope to create a ripple effect across families, communities, and companies that will shape the future of our industry. How to Finance prepares candidates for SIE training and provides them with a solid foundation on which to build a successful career.”