- Starting Salaries for New Financial Advisors in the U.S.
Entering the field of financial advising can be lucrative, but earnings vary widely depending on factors like education, certification, firm, location and clientele. Experience is one of the most important drivers of financial advisor compensation, with veteran advisors typically able to bring home several times the earnings of newcomers to the field. Understanding the salary… read more…
- What Is SEC Form D for RIAs?
The Securities and Exchange Commission allows certain companies to sell stock to a select number of investors without having to go through the IPO process. This is done under a Regulation D exemption, which lets companies that meet specific requirements raise capital without having to submit to an extensive and costly registration process that is… read more…
- What Is the SEC Fee and How Much Do Advisors Pay?
Investing involves many complexities, and one frequently overlooked cost is the fee imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This SEC fee is a transaction charge that financial advisors must pay when selling exchange-listed and over-the-counter securities to support the SEC’s operations. In May 2024, the fee more than tripled from $8 per million… read more…
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Wealth Management
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making a growing impact across many industries, including financial services. While most clients still value the personal connection of working with a human advisor, the role of AI in wealth management is becoming increasingly hard to ignore. In fact, almost six in 10 financial professionals are open to exploring AI tools.… read more…
- Top Interview Questions for Financial Advisor Candidates
Once you’ve decided to hire an advisor for your firm, it’s crucial to find a candidate who aligns best with the needs and aspirations of your clients. There are a number of key questions to ask financial advisor candidates to gain insight into whether they would be a good fit for your firm. Answers to… read more…
- Financial Planning Regulation
The term ‘financial planner’ can apply to a broad range of professionals, including accountants, insurance agents and investment advisors. If you work in any of those capacities or a related field, it’s important to understand the regulatory guidelines that apply. Financial planning regulation encompasses a broad range of requirements and rules. The type of regulation… read more…
- Free CFP Ethics CE Courses
Certified financial planners (CFP®) are subject to continuing education requirements in order to maintain their certification. Specifically, they’re required to complete 30 hours of continuing education each reporting period, which includes two hours of study in the area of ethics. CFP professionals can complete the requirements by taking paid or free courses online. If you’re… read more…
- SEC Marketing Rule Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Advisors
If you’re an investment advisor, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, deciphering rules and regulations like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Marketing Rule is key to your success and compliance. This rule specifically highlights what advisors can and cannot do when marketing their services to potential clients. Failing to adhere to… read more…
- Custody Rule FAQ for Registered Advisors
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates the activity of registered investment advisors. Advisors must adhere to numerous compliance rules outlined in the Investment Advisers Act. Rule 206(4)-2, known as the custody rule, outlines RIA duties regarding holding client assets. Add new clients and AUM at your desired pace with SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing Platform. Sign… read more…
- RIA Compliance Requirements
To legally serve clients, registered investment advisors (RIAs) must register with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulatory agencies, depending on the size of their firm. Regardless of where they register, RIAs must adhere to strict compliance rules designed to ensure ethical and legal operations. These regulations help protect investors, maintain… read more…
- CFP Scholarship Requirements
Becoming a certified financial planner could help you to advance your professional career. Obtaining certification means completing certain education and exam requirements. The CFP® Board Center for Financial Planning administers a number of scholarship programs to help with managing the costs of pursuing certification. If you’re interested in applying for a CFP® scholarship, it’s helpful… read more…
- Tips for Managing an Effective Financial Advisor Practice
Managing a successful financial advisor practice involves more than crunching numbers and managing investments. It also calls for astute team management, resource optimization, goal setting, key metrics tracking and continuous learning. With the finance sector evolving, technology can also help you streamline your practice management and boost revenue. Follow these tips to manage your practice… read more…
- Financial Advisor Payout Grid Comparison
Shopping around for a new broker-dealer to join? One of the most important things to consider is how much you’ll get paid. Looking at a financial advisor payout grid comparison can give you a better idea of the kind of compensation you can expect to receive from commissions. There are different factors that can affect… read more…
- RIA Aggregator Options to Consider
In the registered investment advisor space, aggregators are companies that acquire smaller businesses and operate them with the end goal of generating a profit. For instance, an advisor might seek a partnership with an RIA aggregator if they’re ready to leave their broker-dealer behind but aren’t quite ready to run a standalone firm by themselves.… read more…
- Is It Worth It to Get a PHD in Financial Planning?
If you work in financial planning or want to pursue a career in the field, you may wonder about the value of getting a Ph.D. in financial planning. Earning this diploma can open up unparalleled opportunities for employment in teaching, research and consulting. However, it also requires a significant investment of time and money. And,… read more…
- RIA Software Solutions for 2025
Software programs can help registered investment advisors (RIAs) and financial advisors run their businesses more efficiently. From tracking and analyzing data to generating reports to financial planning, these programs can help you organize and streamline your operations. If you’re looking to invest in software, it helps to know which RIA software solutions stand out from… read more…
- How AI Is Changing the Financial Advisor Landscape
Like many other industries, banking and finance has leaned into chatbots and automation for several years now. While some of these tools have been helpful, by and large, they have tended to be rather clumsy prompt-and-response systems. That looks like it’s completely changed with the growth of generative AI. In the past year, AI has… read more…
- Financial Advisor Niche Examples and How to Find Yours
Standing out in the competitive financial advisory marketplace can be challenging, but finding a niche is one of the most effective ways to differentiate your practice. Financial advisor niches refer to specialized areas of financial planning where advisors focus on serving a specific group of clients with unique needs. Instead of offering general financial services,… read more…
- How to Register With the SEC as an Investment Advisor
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a federal agency responsible for overseeing key aspects of the investment industry. Its regulatory scope includes securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, mutual funds and securities exchanges, among others. As stated by USA.gov, the SEC’s mission is to “promote fair dealing, the disclosure of important market information, and… read more…
- Guide to Financial Advisor Conferences for 2025
Attending wealth management and investment conferences can be a great opportunity to network and get up to speed on the latest industry trends and news. If you have limited time in your schedule, you may need to pick and choose which ones you attend. Knowing which financial advisor conferences are on the horizon can help… read more…
- The Ultimate Guide to SEO for Financial Advisors
Search engine optimization (SEO) can be a powerful tool for marketing your financial advisor business. If potential clients are online looking for an advisor to work with and you’re not visible in the search results, you could be missing out on opportunities to connect. Implementing proper SEO for financial advisors can make it easier for… read more…
- How to Start a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Firm
Starting a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm could be a logical next step in your career if you’re ready to leave your current company behind and strike out on your own. Working as an independent RIA can allow for greater flexibility while putting you in control of your growth trajectory. That being said, it’s not… read more…
- How to Recruit the Right Financial Advisors for Your Firm
When expanding your advisory business is your primary focus, it may be necessary to hire new employees to keep pace with an expected uptick in clients. Recruiting financial advisors can require tapping into your creativity to attract quality candidates, particularly when demand outweighs supply. How do you make your business stand out from the crowd… read more…
- What Is a RIA Custodian?
Establishing a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm requires making some important decisions. Among them is selecting a custodian or multiple custodians to maintain client assets and securities holdings. Understanding what the RIA custodian does (and does not do) is the first step in choosing one to work with. Add new clients and AUM at your… read more…
- How to Fulfill the CFP Certification Experience Requirement
Obtaining a certified financial planner credential can enhance your expertise and credibility as an advisor. To become certified by the CFP Board, you’ll need to complete education, exam, ethics and experience requirements. In doing so, you demonstrate that you have the necessary training to offer financial planning services to clients. When you’re ready to satisfy… read more…