- Front vs. Middle vs. Back Office Functions for Advisors
Operations at financial advisory firms are often segmented into three specific parts for financial advisors: front, middle and back office functions. These are essential for streamlining operations, ensuring efficiency and enhancing productivity. Getting all three parts right can help you grow faster and better serve your clients. SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform can help you add… read more…
- 5 Ways Financial Advisors Can Breach Fiduciary Duty
Fiduciary duty is a legal obligation of a person or entity to act in the best interest of another party, typically a client. In the context of a financial advisor, this duty requires them to prioritize the financial goals and interests of their clients above their own, even when it might be more profitable for… read more…
- What Is the SEC’s Pay to Play Rule?
A core part of running an advisory business is ensuring that your practice complies with regulatory guidelines set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). One such guideline, Rule 206(4)-5 or the SEC pay-to-play rule, governs what advisors can and can’t do when making contributions to political campaigns. Advisors who violate this rule could find… read more…
- Popular Financial Influencers for Advisors to Follow
Financial influencers or ‘finfluencers’ have proven to be a popular, though unconventional, source of information and education for people who are interested in learning more about money. While many of the top influencers tailor their content to investors and everyday consumers who are navigating the realm of personal finance, some speak directly to the interests… read more…
- What Are the Know Your Client Rules for Financial Advisors?
Financial advisors are required to meet certain standards when adding new clients to their book of business or selling regulated products to existing clients. Under Know Your Client (KYC) rules, advisors must confirm clients’ identities while assessing suitability and risk. These rules fall under the umbrella of anti-money laundering (AML) practices that banks and other… read more…
- 8 Tips for Assessing Your Client’s Risk Tolerance
Risk tolerance is one of the most talked-about, and misunderstood, parts of financial planning. A single questionnaire score can’t fully capture how a client will react when markets swing or goals change. Yet getting risk tolerance wrong can lead to poor decisions, strained relationships and missed opportunities. Understanding how to assess and apply a client’s… read more…
- How to Grow Wallet Share By Targeting Held Away Assets
If you’re looking to grow your business as a financial advisor, often the best place to start is within your own shop. While recruiting new clients is important, developing your relationship with existing clients is also crucial for your advisory business. By increasing the amount of each client’s assets that you manage, you can both… read more…
- Understanding the Life-Cycle Approach for Your Clients
Life cycle financial planning is a multi-stage approach to helping your clients build and manage wealth. As clients age and experience life changes, their financial goals and needs may evolve, which in turn can affect the type of advice you offer. Understanding the financial planning life cycle can help you prepare for each new phase… read more…
- 7 Investment Books Every Advisor Should Read
Knowledge is a powerful asset and one that requires ongoing cultivation as an advisor. Devoting time to reading books about investing is one way to expand your expertise so that you can better serve your clients while becoming a savvier investor yourself. With so many books to choose from (and so little time in your… read more…
- Key Technology Every Wealth Manager Should Consider
Incorporating technology into your advisory practice can help save money and increase efficiency, leaving you with more time to focus on your clients. Navigating the wealth management technology landscape may seem a little intimidating, but embracing the right tools could transform your business. Here are some of the most important types of wealth management tech… read more…
- How to Leverage Google Ads as a Financial Advisor
Digital marketing has become increasingly important for advisors as more investors turn to search engines to connect with financial professionals. Investing in Google Ads can effectively increase your business’s visibility and attract new clients if you know how to use them. Understanding what a Google Ad campaign might be able to do for you can… read more…
- 9 Entry-Level Jobs to Help You Break Into Wealth Management
A successful career in wealth management demands patience, perseverance and continuous learning. And, for those willing to put in the effort, the wealth management industry can offer rich rewards. Here are nine popular entry-level jobs that can help you get into and develop your experience in wealth management. Ready to grow your advisory business? SmartAdvisor… read more…
- 5 Financial Psychology Certifications for Financial Advisors
Financial psychology certifications can demonstrate expertise in the ways that psychology and personal finance intersect in a client’s attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that influence their financial decisions. These certifications can differentiate you in a competitive marketplace and potentially lead to increased income and credibility. Ready to grow your advisory business? SmartAdvisor can connect you with… read more…
- How a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Can Help Your RIA Firm
A chief compliance officer (CCO) is a member of your firm’s team who can help protect your business from potential legal or regulatory issues. Registered investment advisors must have a CCO serving at the firm, but hiring an experienced one could make a huge difference and avoid potential penalties, fees or lawsuits that could cost… read more…
- What Is Tax Drag and How You Avoid It for Your Clients
Tax drag refers to the negative impact that taxes can have on the overall return of an investment or a portfolio. It’s calculated as the difference between the return on an investment before taxes and the return after taxes. Tax drag is a crucial concept for financial advisors to understand and manage, as it can… read more…
- What It’s Like to Work as a Financial Planner
Entering a career in financial services can offer plenty of opportunities for advancement and high earning potential. Some professionals work as financial advisors while others choose to work as financial planners. While the titles sound the same, there are some differences in what a financial planner job entails. Add new clients and AUM at your… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Can Ask Clients for Referrals
Referrals are one of the most powerful and cost-effective ways for financial advisors to grow, yet many hesitate to ask for them. When done the wrong way, the request can feel awkward or transactional, but when done well, it feels natural and client-centered. Understanding how to ask for referrals with confidence and intention can turn… read more…
- Great Books for Professional Stock Traders
Stock trading is something of an art and just like painting or sculpture, it’s open to interpretation. That’s reflected in the sheer variety of investment theories and strategies advisors utilize to navigate the markets. If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge to serve your clients better, there are quite a few books for traders you… read more…
- Average Salary for Financial Paraplanners
Paraplanners are professionals who work with financial advisors and financial planners in a support capacity. A career in paraplanning can be a stepping-stone to becoming a financial advisor or planner, as it can be an opportunity to gain valuable work experience within the financial services industry. If you’re considering this type of role, you may… read more…
- Life Insurance Marketing Strategies for Advisors
An effective life insurance marketing strategy is essential for financial advisors who want to offer these products to current clients, or reach new prospects seeking coverage. Advisors who tailor their messaging to factors such as life stage, income level or family needs often build stronger connections with potential clients. Combining online and offline lead generation… read more…
- How to Get Annuity Leads as a Financial Advisor
To successfully expand a practice and increase annuity sales, financial advisors need a steady pipeline of qualified leads. Experienced advisors use a combination of strategies, such as strategic networking, targeted social media advertising, upselling to existing clients, fostering referrals and purchasing leads from reputable sources. However, the true differentiator is a well-executed, personalized follow-up process… read more…
- How to Find a Financial Advisor Practice for Sale
Whether you’re ready to set out on your own or you’re looking to grow your business, buying a financial advisor practice can be a great way to help you reach your goals. According to Schwab’s 2025 RIA Benchmarking Study, 41% of firms engaged in merger and acquisition activity over the previous five years.1 The challenge… read more…
- What Are High Earners Not Rich Yet (HENRY) Individuals?
Attracting new clients to your business is essential for growth and if you’re forward-thinking, you might be interested in getting the attention of the high-earner-not-rich-yet (HENRY) crowd. These are individuals who have the income to propel them to wealth but lack the assets. There are some definite advantages to working with HENRYs, but the key… read more…
- How Much Financial Advisors Should Spend on Marketing
Marketing is an essential business expense if you hope to grow your advisory firm. Without a marketing plan, you may put yourself at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting new clients. But how much should you spend to promote your business? Your financial advisor marketing budget can depend on different factors, including the size… read more…
- How to Find Your First Client as a Financial Advisor
Finding clients as a financial advisor involves more than cold calling and running calculations. It means earning a prospect’s trust to manage their wealth and guide them on the path to their goals. Your first client can often be the most challenging to find because it takes time to build your brand and connect with… read more…