Advisor Resources

September 7, 2023The 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…

September 7, 2023To 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…

September 7, 2023Becoming 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…

August 30, 2023Managing 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…

August 30, 2023Shopping 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…

August 30, 2023In 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…

August 30, 2023If 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…

August 30, 2023Software 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…

August 30, 2023Like 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…

August 28, 2023Standing 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…

August 18, 2023The 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…

August 16, 2023Attending 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…

August 16, 2023Search 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…

August 16, 2023Starting 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…

August 9, 2023When 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…

August 9, 2023Establishing 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…

August 9, 2023Obtaining 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…

August 2, 2023Successful financial advisors recognize the importance of maintaining a steady stream of new clients in order to keep their businesses running smoothly. Developing sales skills is essential for bringing in new business and encouraging clients to entrust you with their financial goals. If you’re not a natural salesperson or you simply want to level up… read more…

August 2, 2023You might consider becoming a registered investment advisor (RIA) if you’re interested in helping investors manage their assets. Earning a college degree in finance or a related field is usually the first step, but there are other a number of criteria to meet before you or your company can officially be considered a registered investment… read more…

July 25, 2023Social media can be a powerful tool for marketing your advisory business. With billions of users, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok can offer access to a built-in audience of people who may be seeking out professional financial advice. An effective social media marketing strategy starts with identifying your niche and who you want… read more…

July 19, 2023Client acquisition often starts with a conversation—sometimes with a current client, other times with a trusted professional contact or a prospect who found you online. Each of these interactions can point back to a different referral source. For financial advisors, understanding where strong referrals come from can help streamline business development and focus attention on… read more…

July 19, 2023The financial services industry is continuously evolving, leading to questions about what the future of financial advisors might look like. The good news is that the employment outlook for personal financial advisors appears bright, with an expected 15% growth rate through 2031. However, rapid advancements in technology and shifting demand for advice among consumers may… read more…

June 27, 2023Financial advisors work with clients to develop a strategy for achieving their financial goals. But just how many clients does a financial advisor have? The answer can depend on the type of clients they work with. An advisor who caters… read more…

June 27, 2023Hosting client events can be a great way to show your appreciation for your clients and build stronger relationships. Satisfied clients are less likely to leave your practice for a different firm, and they may be more inclined to refer… read more…

June 21, 2023Whether you work for a larger advisory firm or run your own financial planning business, good team management can be critical to your success. A strong financial advisor team structure can increase productivity and allow the business to run more… read more…