Advisors who represent fiduciaries must understand the tax laws and the accounting rules that apply when a fiduciary accepts title to fiduciary assets. Because a trustee or personal representative exercises authority over the management and investments of fiduciary assets for the benefit of the named beneficiaries, the fiduciary is held to a very high standard of "fiduciary duty."

In this series, we'll review the concept and requirements of fiduciary duty and the duty to account to the beneficiaries. We'll also cover crucial fiduciary accounting concepts that differ from financial accounting or tax law, including the distinction between principal and income and state statutory accounting rules. Finally, we'll analyze the differences and similarities to fiduciary taxation.