Skip to main content
by learnformula
search
For Business
Team license & compliance management
For Higher Education
Academic partnerships
For Government Agencies
Government training solutions
For Instructors & Course Creators
Teach on our marketplace
Become a Sponsor
Reach professionals where they learn
Log inStart 7-Day Free TrialStart Free TrialStart Free Trial
search
  1. Courses
  2. /Finance
  3. /Investing

How to Maximize Your Investment Returns

Explore all your investment options and learn how to choose, compare, and protect your money wisely.

Created byDavid Trahairworkspace_premiumBest Instructor
IntermediateUpdated May 17, 2025

What You'll Learn

  • check_circleLearn about all the basic types of investments
  • check_circleDiscover the options to invest: full-service broker, discount broker, robo-advisor, fee-only planner and deposit broker
  • check_circleWatch online demonstrations of a discount broker and robo-advisor
  • check_circleDiscover how to protect yourself by checking advisor backgrounds and qualifications
  • check_circleFind out who insures your investments (CDIC, CIPF, MFDA, credit unions)
  • check_circleUse the Investment Option Cost Analyzer spreadsheet to decide the best option

About This Course

Navigating the world of investing can feel overwhelming, but this comprehensive course breaks it down into clear, manageable steps—empowering you to make informed decisions about where and how to invest your money. You’ll start with the fundamentals of mutual funds, ETFs, GICs, stocks, and bonds, then dive into a detailed exploration of the six most common investing options, from full-service brokers and robo-advisors to discount brokers and fee-only planners. Whether you're conservative, hands-on, or looking for automated solutions, this course will help you find the path that fits your financial goals.

With real-world examples, online platform demonstrations (like Questrade and Wealthsimple), and access to practical tools—including custom spreadsheets and cost analyzers—you’ll gain the confidence and knowledge to compare investment strategies, evaluate advisor credentials, and protect your assets. It’s a complete toolkit for building a smarter, safer investment plan in the Canadian market.

Course Content

7 activities • 46 videos • duration: 2h 12m

remove
Introduction-Part12 videos • 2 min
  • videocamIntro
    Duration 2:09
  • videocamLearning outcomes
    Duration 0:34
add
Basic investing alternatives-Part16 videos • 22 min
add
Your investing options-Part118 videos • 49 min
add
Protecting yourself-Part111 videos • 24 min
add
How to choose-Part16 videos • 21 min
add
Borrowing to invest-Part12 videos • 9 min
add
Conclusion-Part11 videos • 1 min

Your Instructor

David Trahair

Acclaimed Author and On-demand Course Developer

menu_book39 courses
star13,044 reviews

David Trahair, CPA, CA, is an author and eLearning developer who creates on-demand video courses for CPAs across Canada. His courses cover topics including personal finance, ethics, AI, and Microsoft Excel. David is also the author of six personal finance books, three of which are national bestsellers. Through his firm, he helps CPAs build practical skills through engaging, self-paced learning.

Credit Information

Is this course eligible for my CPD requirements as a Canadian CPA?

Provincial regulators of CPAs in Canada do not require that independent providers of CPD be approved to offer courses. Instead, individual CPAs are responsible for assessing whether a CPD activity meets their requirements, and may take activities from any source provided those requirements are met.

Every course offered on LearnFormula is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, and advances learning objectives that are relevant to the responsibilities or professional competencies of Canadian CPAs. All activities on LearnFormula are quantifiable in terms of hours, and are also verifiable, in that users receive documented evidence of their attendance via a certificate of completion after finishing a course (and this certificate is stored by LearnFormula indefinitely). Nearly 100,000 Canadian CPAs successfully satisfy their CPD requirements via LearnFormula on an annual basis.

What Students Are Saying

4.5 out of 5
Student's Choice
1,295 reviews
  • BB
    Brenda B.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Good overview for beginners

  • LT
    Louise T.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Very thorough.

  • YG
    Yadwinder G.
    starstarstarstarstar

    yes it was.

  • PM
    Peter M.
    starstarstarstarstar

    Great course. Good explanation of the basics and investment approaches

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 300+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 27 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.

You May Also Like

  • Ethics: Business Ethics

    2026 Ethics and Corporate Compliance

    starRated5.0out of 5,(556 reviews)
    2 CPD hrs
  • Finance: Budgeting & Financial Forecasting

    Critical Skills for CFOs & Controllers: Budgeting & Forecasting Strategies for Today’s World

    starRated5.0out of 5,(113 reviews)
    2.5 CPD hrs
  • Accounting & Tax: Technology for Accountants

    Claude Fundamentals for Accountants (2026 Update)

    starRated5.0out of 5,(646 reviews)
    2.5 CPD hrs