- Website Compliance Rules for Financial Advisors
A professional website is an instrumental part of a successful financial advisor’s marketing plan. As investors increasingly turn to the internet to search for financial advisors, having an established online presence can be invaluable. As you build out your digital footprint, it’s important to ensure that you’re observing financial advisor website compliance rules. Ready to… read more…
- Client Confidentiality for Financial Advisors
Financial advisors have a responsibility to keep client information confidential. This responsibility is laid out by professional organization ethical standards, as well as by law. Financial advisors can only share client information without the client’s permission in limited circumstances, and must take steps to ensure that client records are safe from outside eyes. Confidential information… read more…
- How to Become a Fiduciary Advisor
Becoming a fiduciary financial advisor means adhering to a legal and ethical standard that requires always acting in a client’s best interest. Unlike some other finance professionals, fiduciary advisors must provide unbiased recommendations, avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any potential financial incentives. To attain fiduciary status, professionals often pursue designations such as the Certified… read more…
- Qualifications That Every Financial Advisor May Need
Becoming a financial advisor is a chance to positively impact the lives of the clients you work with. In addition to being emotionally rewarding, it can be a lucrative career path as well, particularly if you opt for an independent business model. But what financial advisor qualifications are required to start or build a practice?… read more…
- Newsletters Every Financial Advisor Should Consider Following
The financial services industry is constantly evolving due to regulatory changes, technological advancements and shifting market conditions. To provide the best service to their clients, successful advisors recognize the importance of staying informed on the latest news and trends. Subscribing to financial advisor newsletters is an effective way to stay updated and ahead of industry… read more…
- IBD vs. RIA: What Are the Differences?
Going independent has its perks, namely freedom, flexibility and control over decision-making in running your business. The question is, which path should you choose: Independent Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Advisor? Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of an IBD vs. RIA model can help you decide which one makes the most sense for you. Ready to… read more…
- How to Volunteer as a Pro Bono Financial Advisor
Volunteering as a pro bono financial advisor is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families who can benefit from your expertise. Numerous organizations exist that help match financial advisors with people who need guidance with managing their money. Doing pro bono work can also be an opportunity for… read more…
- SmartAsset AMP Outreach Workbook
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- SmartAsset AMP: 30 Day Outreach Plan
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- SmartAsset Leads – Standard Advisor Outreach
Use this page to help you follow up with leads from SmartAsset. Touch 1 (Message) Day 1: Schedule an Outreach Hi, this is ______. I’m a Certified Financial Planner and your financial advisor from SmartAsset. I wanted to let you know that I will be giving you a call at __ on __ to go over your… read more…
- Handling Indifference for Advisors
This page contains the Common Prospect Resistant Statements and a framework for handling them. A.R.T. Framework Here’s a few things to keep in mind before Use the A.R.T. framework to overcome objections. A.R.T. stands for: Common Prospect Indifferences Acknowledge & Validate: Validate the Prospect’s decision of working with an advisor and open the conversation to.… read more…
- Guide to RIA Startup Costs
Starting a registered investment advisor firm can mark the beginning of a new phase in your career if you’re ready to go independent. Assessing RIA startup costs is a key step in the planning process. Understanding some of the most important expenses you’ll need to pay can help you shape your startup budget. Ready to… read more…
- How Much Independent Financial Advisors Make
Going independent and starting an RIA has certain advantages for advisors who want greater flexibility in creating a client experience. If you’re transitioning from a larger firm into your own business, it’s important to consider how that might impact your earning potential. Comparing independent financial advisor salary numbers can offer some perspective on what you… read more…
- 9 Sales Tips for Financial Advisors
Selling financial services to prospective clients can be challenging on many levels. Once you’ve connected with a lead, you need to spend time nurturing that relationship and building trust. You also have to demonstrate your value to the client and why they should rely on you to help them manage their money. Some of the… read more…
- What Are Regulatory Assets Under Management (RAUM)?
Regulatory assets under management (RAUM) represent the total market value of investments that a financial institution manages for its clients, calculated according to guidelines set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). RAUM can indicate much about a firm’s size, scope and regulatory standing. It’s also important to note that RAUM and AUM are calculated… read more…
- What Is SEC Form PF?
One of the most important aspects of running an advisory business is ensuring that your firm complies with state and federal regulations. That includes knowing which documents you’re required to submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission. SEC Form PF is a requirement for investment advisors who manage private funds. It’s important to understand when… read more…
- How Solo Advisors Can Outsource Financial Planning
Outsourcing for a solo advisor can offer benefits such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, access to specialized expertise and time savings, which could allow them to focus more on client-facing activities and business growth. Solo advisors can take advantage of these benefits by strategically outsourcing non-core functions such as administrative tasks, compliance, technology support and investment research… read more…
- Requirements to Register as an Investment Advisor
If you’re a financial professional looking to help individuals manage their investments or provide financial advice, you’ll likely need to become an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) at a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm. This requires registering with the right regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities agencies, depending on… read more…
- How to Implement Goals-Based Financial Planning
As a financial advisor, there are any number of strategies for helping your client to build wealth. One of the most useful is called goals-based financial planning. This is the practice of organizing your client’s plans around specific financial goals and milestones. It’s particularly useful because this is how many households think about their own finances.… read more…
- How to Create a Financial Advisor Newsletter
Nurturing a sense of trust with clients can help increase retention rates and help you potentially gain new clients through referrals. Communication is central to that effort, and if you’re not leveraging the benefits of email marketing, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to build deeper connections. Sending a weekly or monthly newsletter… read more…
- Betterment for Advisors Review
Selecting a custodian is an important decision when launching a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm. Your custodian is responsible for safeguarding and managing client assets on your firm’s behalf. And Betterment for Advisors is one option to consider. This technology-focused platform is designed to help advisors provide high-quality client service while maximizing operational efficiency. SmartAsset’s… read more…
- Options to Outsource Your RIA Operations
Managing operations is one of the most time-consuming aspects of running an independent advisory firm. Developing workflows and automating systems can help you streamline important tasks, but as you continue to grow, you might decide that the time has come to seek outside help. Third-party providers can assist with RIA operations outsourcing, allowing you to… read more…
- A Guide to Operations for an RIA
Growing a successful practice can test your ability to manage all the demands competing for your time and attention. You’re meeting with clients, marketing your firm and managing a seemingly endless list of back-office tasks. Developing strategies and systems for managing RIA operations can help you scale more efficiently while maximizing your resources. Ready to… read more…
- What Is the CFP® Board’s 7-Step Financial Planning Process?
The CFP® Board oversees the Certified Financial Planner™ designation and gives planners a guideline to a seven-step process for providing financial advisory services. The process takes the financial advisor and client through the entire relationship, beginning with the initial meetings and progressing through years or decades of monitoring and adjusting the plan as the client’s… read more…
- What Cost of Equity Is and How to Calculate It
In corporate finance, cost of equity represents the return a company must generate to satisfy its shareholders. Financial advisors also rely on the cost of equity when evaluating investment opportunities and making recommendations to clients. It helps them assess a company’s financial health, growth prospects and potential returns, which is essential for constructing diversified portfolios… read more…