Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to refer to individuals who must register with either the SEC or with their state. Read more about Legacy here. Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page.
Typically, fee-only advisors charge on an hourly basis, a flat fee per plan, or a retainer, but some offer subscription payment models. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a financial advisor, you’ve come to the right place. Maybe you are the person in your friend group who has a handle on their own finances and is quick to offer help to those who are struggling and asking for advice.
If you need overall financial help, a financial advisor probably is better than an accountant. On the other hand, if you need help with things such as bookkeeping and tax planning, an accountant likely is a better choice.
Whether you like to manage your own portfolio, want someone else to take the reins, or prefer something in between, there’s an investment path for you. We generally group financial advisors into three categories based on how personalized their services are.
Certifications for Financial Planners
Once you find a few advisers that you think have potential, schedule an introductory call or meeting with them. Most financial advisers offer a complimentary one-hour session so that you can get to know each other. The adviser will get an idea of your needs and general financial picture. When searching for a new financial adviser, it’s great if you have a solid referral from a trusted family member or friend.
Get your Business Plan in Order
Financial advisors must be detail-oriented, good with mathematics, and effective communicators. Because you will be managing money and making financial recommendations, it is also important that you have impeccable record-keeping skills.
A fiduciary financial advisor, one that must keep your best interests in mind, can help you avoid making costly financial mistakes. Financial advisors often earn their fees when markets are facing a downturn. People understandably get concerned they may lose a significant amount of money during an economic downturn.
To counter this, you should be honest about your intentions, your expertise, and your goals for helping them achieve their financial goals. Share client success stories (with their permission, of course) and post updates about your accomplishments, both personal and professional. If you meet with a planner who starts talking about a product right away, they are not helping you plan; they are trying to sell you something. By sending this message, you agree that Modera will use the personal information you disclose to have an adviser contact you and/or you agree to opt-in to receive marketing communications from us. With blogs, visitors typically peruse already existing content on blog websites.
