Advisor Resources

March 14, 2025SEC rules require that registered investment advisors have a qualified custodian to hold client assets. Your assets under management (AUM) can make a difference when deciding which custodian to work with, as some custodians have a higher barrier to entry than others. However, finding the best custodian for a small RIA goes beyond just AUM.… read more…

March 7, 2025Clients look to you for help when navigating risk factors that may harm their portfolios. Financial risk analytics uses a big-picture approach to identify where threats may lie and the impact they could have on your clients’ assets and goals. Incorporating financial risk analysis strategies into your practice can enhance the client experience and encourage… read more…

March 7, 2025The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires registered investment advisors (RIAs) to have a qualified custodian hold client assets to ensure that they’re properly safeguarded. When comparing options, it’s helpful to consider RIA custodian fees and what you’ll pay for their services. Higher fees don’t always equate to more or better services and the best… read more…

March 7, 2025Marketing advisory services to doctors requires a unique approach to capture and hold their attention. Physicians often prove challenging for advisors, as they may have significant income that’s counterbalanced by significant debt. They want to work with advisors who understand how to navigate building wealth while paying down student loans. There’s no standard playbook that… read more…

February 27, 2025FINRA Rule 1210 outlines registration requirements for individuals who work in securities or investment banking. Essentially, this rule says that any financial professional who’s engaged in investment banking or securities business for a FINRA member firm must also be registered with FINRA. The only exception is if the individual is exempt from registration following another… read more…

February 27, 2025Completing Form ADV is required to register with the SEC as an investment advisor. Form ADV Part 3, also referred to as Form CRS, includes details about your firm’s services, the fees you charge, standards of conduct and past disciplinary history. Registered investment advisors must share this customer relationship summary with all new and existing… read more…

February 26, 2025A FINRA securities license enables you to offer financial advice and sell investments to clients. The pathway to licensure involves completing one or more FINRA-administered exams to test your knowledge of the securities industry. Which securities license should you earn? The answer largely hinges on the type of clients you serve and the services you… read more…

February 21, 2025A well-designed website is essential for connecting with prospective clients, promoting your advisory services and establishing your brand reputation. But how do you build a site that’s eye-catching, engaging and designed to provide a superior user experience? An advisor website design checklist can guide you through the process. Add new clients and AUM at your… read more…

February 21, 2025Transitioning can mean different things for different advisors. It can mean beginning the next phase of a career with a new firm, or going independent and starting an RIA. Or you might be somewhere in between, and partnering with an RIA aggregator to build your business. Wherever you are on your professional journey, a financial… read more…

February 21, 2025When you start an RIA, you’ll have to complete some extensive, but necessary, paperwork, starting with Form ADV. Form U4, the Uniform Application for Securities Industry Registration or Transfer, is also required for all investment advisor representatives (IARs) of the firm. While form doesn’t require the same annual updates as Form ADV, it’s important to… read more…

February 19, 2025Focusing on specific client niches, or common characteristics and attributes that their target demographics share, can help financial advisors consolidate marketing resources. Understanding common threads within demographic cohorts can allow an advisor to speak more directly to the needs and concerns of their clients and prospects, thus strengthening their position among advisors competing for the… read more…

February 14, 2025You have plenty to do to grow your business and serve your clients. But there are only so many hours in a day. Time management is critical to furthering your success, not to mention maintaining your sanity. That’s where an ideal financial advisor time allocation schedule comes in. Creating one allows you to spend more… read more…

February 14, 2025Establishing or growing an advisory firm requires a certain level of understanding as to what your clients need and expect. And building your business around ideal clients can set the stage for long-term sustainability. In a broad sense, ideal clients for financial advisors are those customers who are most closely aligned with your services, experience… read more…

February 7, 2025Repapering is a time-consuming, but necessary step for advisors who are making the transition to a new firm or going independent. If you’d prefer to have professional help in navigating the process, you could consider working with a repapering specialist. Finding the right service to work with begins with understanding what repapering specialists do. SmartAsset’s… read more…

February 7, 2025Repapering — which involves having your clients complete new contracts or other paperwork — can present a significant logistical challenge to even the most organized advisors. The more clients you have, the more complicated things can become. However, preparing for this possibility and exploring the available tech solutions can help you navigate a repapering event… read more…

February 5, 2025Financial services are constantly evolving. As a result, advisors should be able to keep pace with the latest compliance requirements. Regulatory risk is a real concern, as changing regulations and laws can potentially increase operating costs and affect your ability to scale at a comfortable pace. Developing a strategy for managing regulatory risk can help… read more…

February 4, 2025Your clients rely on you to help them make informed decisions about advancing their financial goals. This is why portfolio reporting is important – it provides a framework for identifying risks, measuring performance and developing actionable investment strategies. Improving your reporting processes is also an effective way to build trust and enhance client relationships. SmartAsset’s… read more…

February 4, 2025Before a consumer turns to a financial advisor to answer their personal finance questions, they often turn to the internet first. Thus, advisors can use recent search trends to inform their content and marketing – heading off prospect and client questions proactively to add value and build trust. Trending searches can help inform newsletter content,… read more…

February 3, 2025One of the most important questions to consider when starting an RIA firm is where to register. Larger firms must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), but smaller firms may register with their state instead. If you’re interested in setting up shop in the Sunshine State, it’s helpful to know what Florida RIA… read more…

February 3, 2025Going independent is a strategic career move that many advisors pursue. However, it does take some careful planning, with RIA registration requirements being one of the topics you’ll most likely want to research. Doing so can help ensure you understand what’s needed to get your firm up and running while checking all the necessary compliance… read more…

January 29, 2025Over 6,500 Certified Financial Planners™ (CFPs®) were added nationwide in 2024, bringing the current total up to 103,093. Meanwhile, the number of CFPs® in some states can also shift when certificants move from one state to another. The number of financial advisors in an area can affect the quality and availability of service that clients… read more…

January 24, 2025Form ADV is a comprehensive document that includes essential information about your advisory firm. There are three parts, each of which serves a different function and purpose. Form ADV Part 2 covers disclosure requirements for preparing your firm brochure. This brochure, which must be given to each client, includes information about your firm’s business practices,… read more…

January 24, 2025Form ADV is a requirement for new registered investment advisors and existing RIA firms. You’ll need to submit your initial filing and follow up with an updated filing each year. Form ADV Part 1 is where you’ll disclose vital details about your firm, including its legal name, the services you offer, and the ownership structure.… read more…

January 24, 2025One of the most significant ongoing challenges advisory firms face centers on compliance. As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, advisors must be adept at monitoring and anticipating compliance trends. RegTech or regulatory technology aims to meet the needs of growing firms by offering innovative, digital-driven compliance and risk management solutions. Ready to grow your… read more…

January 21, 2025Part of growing a successful advisory business means making the strategic decisions necessary to advance your goals. One avenue you could consider is shared ownership in the business through an equity partnership model. Moving to an equity partner structure can offer some distinct advantages for scaling an RIA, which we’ll review below. SmartAsset’s Advisor Marketing… read more…