- RIA Growth Strategy: Organic Growth vs. M&A
By the numbers, smaller firms dominate the registered investment advisory landscape. In 2024, approximately 93% of SEC-registered firms had 100 or fewer non-clerical employees, and nearly 70% had less than $1 billion in assets under management, according to the Investment Adviser Association.1 Organic and inorganic RIA growth strategies provide advisors with the fuel to move… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Can Identify and Revise Hedge Clauses
A hedge clause is a liability disclaimer often found in advisory agreements that’s designed to shield advisors from legal claims related to client losses. Hedge clauses have come under increasing scrutiny from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) due to concerns that they might mislead clients or conflict with fiduciary standards. If your firm uses… read more…
- What Clients Expect From Financial Advisors in 2026
What do clients want from their financial advisor? Sound financial advice and excellent service are a given, but that only scratches the surface of what advisors are expected to deliver. Providing a superior experience that’s tailored to the needs of your target market or niche is fundamental to both client acquisition and retention. SmartAsset’s Advisor… read more…
- Marketing Strategies for Independent RIAs
Going independent as a registered investment advisor can open the door to greater freedom and flexibility in the way you do business and the clients you serve. It’s also an opportunity to acquire new skills if you’re doing all of the behind-the-scenes work yourself, including marketing your new firm to attract clients. Independent RIA marketing… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Weigh Lead Quality vs. Lead Quantity
Many advisors subscribe to the idea that more leads naturally translate to more growth. However, volume alone doesn’t guarantee results if you fail to convert leads into clients. Balancing lead quality vs. lead quantity could help you scale more efficiently if you’re connecting with prospects who align with your ideal client profile. Are you looking… read more…
- What Is the Kitces Advisor Services Map?
The Kitces Advisor Services Map is a comprehensive list of financial advisor outsourcing and service providers. The map is a collaborative effort between Michael Kitces and Joe Moss of Advisor Tech Book. If you’ve considered outsourcing operations for your advisory firm, you may find this tool helpful as you research service providers. Add new clients… read more…
- Do Financial Advisors Need Annuity Suitability Training?
Annuities may prove a valuable addition to a client’s portfolio if they’re interested in guaranteed income for retirement. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) requires insurers and agents who recommend annuities to consumers to ensure that they’re aligned with client needs. Annuity suitability training, or equivalent best interest training, is required in every state… read more…
- How Advisors Expand Their Business Through Centers of Influence
Centers of influence can help you grow your business if you’re making professional connections that lead to more referrals. Centers of influence marketing is something 62% of advisors rely on for referral generation, according to a 2024 Kitces report on how financial planners market their services. If you’re not utilizing this strategy yet, you may… read more…
- Tax Planning Software Options for Financial Advisors
Tax planning software can help you create a more holistic view of your clients’ financial plans, making it easier to identify opportunities for optimization. With so many different tools on the market, some research is necessary to choose a suitable option for your needs. As you compare tax planning software for financial advisors, consider the… read more…
- What Is the Best Newsletter Frequency for Financial Advisors?
An email list is more than a collection of names and addresses; it represents a group of relationships that can be developed over time. Staying connected with clients and prospects requires consistency, which raises a practical question: how often should you reach out? The best newsletter frequency for financial advisors typically depends on the firm’s… read more…
- What Is the Future of AI in Wealth Management Marketing?
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools present advisors and wealth managers with opportunities to streamline business operations, including marketing. From content creation to automation to data analytics, AI has the potential to transform how you promote your business and attract new clients. Several notable trends are shaping the future of AI in wealth management marketing as this… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Track Their Clients’ Alternative Investments
Alternative investments are going mainstream as more advisors integrate them into client portfolios. Nine in 10 advisors now allocate to alternatives and nearly half dedicate more than 10% of client portfolios to these types of assets, according to the fourth annual CAIS Mercer survey. If you’re considering this approach or you’ve already introduced your clients… read more…
- How RIAs Structure Their Businesses – 2026 Study
Many financial advisors may be tasked with helping their clients choose an appropriate business structure, weighing the pros and cons of different legal protections and obligations, taxation guidelines, and general business maneuverability for the specific circumstances at hand. In turn, advisors starting or transforming their own firm will face a similar choice: deciding whether a… read more…
- What Are the Job Requirements of a Financial Planner?
Financial planning can be a rewarding career, and despite worries about whether AI will replace financial advisors, the job outlook remains strong. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the field of personal financial advisors will grow by 10% through 2034, much faster than average for all other occupations.1 Reviewing financial planner job requirements… read more…
- How to Switch Careers and Become a Financial Advisor
Making a career change to become a financial advisor is an opportunity to do work that’s both rewarding and fulfilling. According to Schwab, many career changers who move into financial services are prompted to do so by personal financial experiences or life transitions. Understanding what’s required to become a financial advisor and what this type… read more…
- A Family Office Experience For Everyday Investors: Melissa Day’s Success Story
Melissa Day and her husband, Todd, took a leap of faith in 2023 when they launched the Independent Advisor Team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. As a husband-and-wife duo under the Fortis Capital Advisors umbrella, they set out to build something personal and local, a boutique advisory practice that offers the “family office” experience to everyday… read more…
- Understanding Client Acquisition Cost and How Financial Advisors Can Lower It
Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) is one way to measure how well your firm is doing and where there’s room for improvement. Client acquisition cost (CAC) is a key performance metric that measures your cost to bring a new client into the fold. This number encompasses what you spend on marketing, sales and other expenses… read more…
- Remote Financial Planning Jobs: Where to Find Them and How to Get Hired in 2026
Working remotely as a financial planner or advisor has its perks. You can meet with clients on a flexible schedule and develop financial plans from virtually anywhere that has an internet connection. But how do you find remote financial planning jobs, and more importantly, what does it take to land one? Those are important questions… read more…
- What Is the 7-Step CFP® Financial Planning Process?
Earning the CFP® credential may help you attract more clients to your business, increase assets under management (AUM) and boost revenues. Professionals who earn this designation are expected to adhere to specific practice standards when providing financial planning to clients. The CFP® planning process comprises seven key steps that guide how professionals develop and present… read more…
- Will AI Replace Financial Advisors? How to Protect Your Advisory Practice
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making inroads in the financial services industry as investors look to tools like ChatGPT for advice, while advisors leverage AI’s capabilities to streamline operations, marketing and lead generation. While artificial intelligence offers some advantages, it also has the potential to create negative disruption on a broad scale. Will AI replace financial… read more…
- What Is the CFP® Code of Ethics?
Agreeing to the CFP® Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct is a requirement to become a Certified Financial Planner™. These standards, developed by the CFP Board, establish the core principles financial planners are expected to follow when serving clients and impose a fiduciary duty standard upon them. The CFP Board’s code of ethics is… read more…
- How to Get a Life Insurance License
Becoming a life insurance agent enables you to sell life insurance policies and related products, such as annuities. You might consider licensure if you’d like to expand your services to target a new client base or want to apply a more holistic approach in shaping clients’ financial plans. Ultimately, though, the process for how to… read more…
- Which Marketing Tactics Work Best for Financial Advisors?
Marketing is one key to your success as an advisor. Without a well-defined marketing plan, you may find it more difficult to reach your target client base and grow your book of business. Knowing which financial advisor marketing tactics deliver the best results and return on investment can help you decide where to focus your… read more…
- Series 65 vs. Series 66: Which License Do You Need?
A securities license can expand your career options, whether you plan to launch your own RIA or join an established advisory firm as an investment advisor representative (IAR). Your desired role and its associated responsibilities can influence which license (or licenses) you need. If you’re debating whether to pursue a Series 65 vs. Series 66… read more…
- Do Banks Hire Financial Advisors?
Financial advisors can work in a variety of environments, serving a diverse range of clients. Bank financial advisor jobs may appeal to you if you’re interested in pivoting away from the traditional RIA model or you’d like to gain experience that could help you launch a career in wealth management. It’s helpful to understand the… read more…