Become a Financial Advisor

Do you need a degree to be a financial advisor?

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What is a Financial Advisor?

Before you delve into how to pursue a career a financial advisor, you should be clear on what they do.

Financial advisors are professionals who take on the responsibility of overseeing and coordinating various aspects of their client’s financial well-being. Their role extends beyond simply recommending investments or marketing financial products. They evaluate a client’s current financial situation, gain insight into their financial objectives, and develop a customized financial strategy to help them reach those objectives.

In addition to offering investment guidance, financial advisors might also assist in areas such as retirement planning, estate planning, savings, and investment management. They might also help clients reduce their taxes and maximize the returns on their financial assets.

Later in this article we provided detailed information about responsibilities, work environment, salary, and employment.

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Types of Financial Advisors

Not all financial advisors are alike with regard to their experience, knowledge, and the range of services they provide. Following are several common types of financial advisors.

Financial Planners

Wealth Managers

Investment advisors

Financial planners specialize in helping their clients define long-term goals—such as savings, investments, insurance, retirement, and estate planning—and creating a plan to help them achieve those goals. Many financial planners hold credentials such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)— these credentials are discussed later in this article.Wealth managers typically work with clients who have significant wealth, often requiring a minimum investment in the millions. They provide comprehensive financial planning services along with investment advice. Their expertise extends to various aspects of their clients’ financial lives, encompassing services such as estate planning, tax assistanceThese professionals help clients make informed decisions about their investment portfolios. Also known as stockbrokers, investment advisors are required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

How Do I Become a Financial Advisor?

Financial advisors usually pursue education, on-the-job training, and certification. Here’s what this path might look like:

  • Education. Prospective financial advisors usually earn at least a Bachelor’s degree in an area such as finance, accounting, or economics.
  • Training. Once hired, FAs often have a period of training on the job, learning skills such as how to build a network of clients and develop investment portfolios. This on-the-job training might last a year or more.
  • Licenses and certifications. Personal financial advisors who engage in activities such as buying or selling stocks, bonds, or insurance policies, or providing specific investment advice, are typically required to obtain specific licenses and/or be registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Many FAs go on to pursue certification, such as Certified Financial Planner (CFP) certification, to enhance their careers.

What Degree Should I Earn to Become a Financial Advisor?

Financial advisors typically need at least a Bachelor’s degree. There may not be any one degree employers look for—rather, a number of majors may be helpful if you’re interested in pursuing a financial advisor career path:

Today, many schools offer Bachelor’s in Financial Planning programs. These may cover subjects you need to know for the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) exam. You could study areas like estate planning, taxation, and risk management.

Some financial advisors opt to earn a Master’s degree in areas such as finance, business administration, or a related area. Earning a Master’s could help financial advisors pursue a management career path.

What Would I Study in a Financial Advisor Degree Program?

The range of topics covered in degree programs typically varies depending on degree type, major, and even school. You might focus on different aspects of business, finance, or economics. However, following are some areas that might be common in programs designed more specifically for financial advisors:

Personal Finance: Gain insights into how to plan a budget, manage money, and more. Topics covered could include taxes, credit, and making major purchases.

Money and Banking: Learn about the complex world of banking, including money, credit, treasuries, and more.

Investments: Examine how the stock market works— its risks and possible rewards—as well as types of investments and how to manage a portfolio.

Finance Regulations and Ethics: Learn the rules that govern choices about money and how to help clients reach their goals legally

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Financial Advisor Degree?

Earning a financial advisor degree, such as a Bachelor of Finance in Financial Planning, typically takes about four years of full-time study.

If you plan to earn a Master’s degree, you’ll typically need about one to two years, depending on your program and whether you study part- or full-time.

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Working as a Financial Advisor

While you may have a better sense of what a financial advisor does, you might wonder what it’s like to work as a financial advisor. Read on to learn about typical responsibilities, places of work, salaries, and employment opportunities.

Financial Advisor Responsibilities

  • As mentioned previously, not all financial advisors do the same thing. However, here are some common responsibilities of financial advisors as a whole:
  • Meet with clients to discuss their financial goals—e.g., saving for the future, growing wealth with investments, or buying property.
  • Educate clients about their options and risks
  • Invest money on the client’s behalf
  • Monitor clients’ money to see if their strategies need to change

Where Financial Advisors Work

Personal financial advisors typically work in offices. They might also attend conferences or conduct seminars. They may be self-employed or work for financial organizations such as banks and investment companies.

Following are the industries with the highest levels of employment for personal financial Advisors in 2022:1

IndustryEmployment Percent of industry employmentAnnual Mean Wage
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities204,43020.18150,540
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only)50,4002.49$106,320
Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities8,1800.64$95,040
Companies4,0000.15$136,600
Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services3,1300.30$91,710

Professional Certifications for Financial Advisors

Earning certification could help financial advisors stand out from the crowd. While there are many to choose from, here are three common ones to consider:

Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

The Certified Financial Planner(CFP) certification sets the benchmark for excellence in the field of financial planning. CFP professionals undergo rigorous education, training, and ethical standards to help ensure they provide quality service to clients.

To earn this CFP certification you need to earn a Bachelor’s degree, have three years of experience, agree to a code of ethics, and pass an exam. The exam tests you on key areas of financial planning such as:

  • Investment and real estate planning
  • Debt management
  • Insurance planning
  • Income taxes
  • Retirement planning
  • Risk management
  • Employee benefits planning
  • Statistical modeling

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

CFA certification is geared toward professionals who want to distinguish themselves in the area of investment management profession. To become a “Charterholder,” you must earn a Bachelor’s degree or have eligible work experience and pass an exam that covers ten knowledge areas, such as investment analysis, management, and ethics.

Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)

The Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential is offered to CPAs with tax and financial planning expertise. Earning a PFS helps CPAs understand the tax implications in various areas of personal financial planning. In addition to being a CPA, requirements include:

  • Two years of full-time teaching or business experience in personal financial planning
  • A minimum of 75 hours of personal financial planning education in the last five years
  • Pass a PFP-related exam—either the PFP exams such as the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam

Salary and Employment

In 2022, personal financial advisors earned a median annual salary of $95,390.1 The projected job growth for these professionals between 2022 and 2032 is 13%, which is much faster than average.1

Top Paying States for Personal Financial Advisors, 2022:1

StateAnnual Mean WageEmployment
Alaska$229,730160
New York$203,07026,800
New Jersey$174,4908,160
Pennsylvania$163,40011,030
Massachusetts$154,9307,850

Related Career Paths

You may already have decided to pursue a career as a financial advisor, or even decided on the type of financial advisor you want to be. But if you’re not sure yet, here are some related careers that might interest you.

Budget Analysts

Budget analysts work with managers in public and private organizations to help them develop and oversee their budget. They might analyze existing or proposed plans, revise those plans if they aren’t meeting the company’s expectations, and estimate future financial needs.

Median annual salary, 2022: $82,260 per year
Projected job growth, 2022–32: 3% (As fast as average)
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree3

Financial and Investment Analysts

Financial analysts work with businesses or individuals to evaluate current and historical financial data. They analyze and oversee the performance of stocks, bonds, and other types of investments and make recommendations based on their analysis. They might also study economic and business trends and prepare written reports.

Median annual salary, 2022: $96,220 per year
Projected job growth, 2022–33: 8% (Faster than average)
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree5

Financial Examiners

Financial examiners help institutions ensure that their monetary transactions comply with applicable laws and regulations. Their responsibilities encompass reviewing balance sheets, assessing the risk associated with loans, and evaluating the management practices of banks and other financial institutions.

Median annual salary, 2022: $82,210 per year
Projected job growth, 2022–32: 20% (Much faster than average)
Typical entry-level education: Bachelor’s degree7

Sources:
1https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132052.htm
2https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132031.htm
3https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/budget-analysts.htm#tab-1
4https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132051.htm
5https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm#tab-1
6https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132061.htm
7https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-examiners.htm#tab-1
Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Accessed 6/30/2023.

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© Education Connection 2024. All Rights Reserved.

*https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_311.15.asp

Sources for school statistics is the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.

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1 You must apply for a new loan each school year. This approval percentage is based on students with a Sallie Mae undergraduate loan in the 2018/19 school year who were approved when they returned in 2019/20. It does not include the denied applications of students who were ultimately approved in 2019/20.

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