Financial Advisor

February 24, 2023Earning the certified pension consultant (CPC) designation demonstrates that an employee benefits professional has mastered the ability to plan, set up, manage and maintain company-sponsored retirement plans. CPC holders may work as insurance agents, financial planners, pension actuaries or company… read more…

August 23, 2023As people get older, they may face a multitude of challenges relating to many spheres of life including work, health and relationships. In addition, starting in middle age and lasting through retirement, aging citizens wrestle with how best to manage,… read more…

August 23, 2023Managing an investment portfolio calls for mastery of a challenging set of skills including understanding portfolio theory, allocating assets between debt and equity, decoding mutual fund investment policies, managing taxes and planning for retirement. The accredited portfolio management advisor (APMA) credential signifies that a financial professional has received graduate-level training in these skills and others.… read more…

October 5, 2025One of the limitations of using tested investment theory to provide people with rational financial advice is that people aren’t necessarily all that rational. Investors tend to get worried when the market is down and sell cheap at the bottom,… read more…

September 5, 2023Dave Ramsey is a well-known personal finance celebrity with a long-running radio show (also, more recently a video podcast), multiple best-selling books, online tools, educational courses and a large following. Endorsed local provider (ELP) is a designation Ramsey’s organization offers… read more…

February 7, 2024There is more to financial advising than passing out stock tips. Well-rounded financial advisors go beyond selecting securities and asset classes to take into account all the factors that can affect the client’s objectives. They can help clients plan for retirement, manage their estates, provide for children’s educational needs, save for a home purchase and… read more…

April 2, 2024The Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) program was created for professionals who offer insurance and risk management services to high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Candidates develop their risk management expertise, learn technical information about creating comprehensive risk management and insurance programs, and cultivate… read more…

November 16, 2022Deciding how and especially when to claim Social Security benefits can be one of the most financially significant moves a person makes. Yet the rules used to calculate how much a beneficiary can receive from Social Security are complicated, making… read more…

April 2, 2024Managing an investment portfolio requires a solid grasp of theories, strategies and practices to design, assemble and oversee a package of financial assets for the specific objectives of individual or institutional clients. Chartered portfolio managers (CPM) meet these portfolio requirements and… read more…

March 19, 2023Financial advisors who want to acquire and display expertise at helping businesses set up and run effective and appropriate retirement plans for their employees can study for a Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist (CRPS) certificate. The designation shows that an advisor… read more…

May 7, 2023When conventional married couples go through divorce or the death of one of the spouses, it can be complicated to sort out the financial and tax issues. Unmarried couples, that is, those in a domestic partnership, sometimes do not enjoy… read more…

February 23, 2021The number of Americans pulling in seven figures a year is on the rise. IRS data shows that less than three in 1,000 taxpayers earned over $1 million in 2018, up from less than two in 1,000 back in 2013. Those who have the good fortune of clearing the $1 million mark in annual income,… read more…

May 8, 2023Buying or selling a home usually involves a fair amount of paperwork. A warranty deed is one of the more important documents you may encounter during the process. Warranty deeds are used to verify that there are no obstacles, such… read more…

October 10, 2025Investing in dividend-paying stocks can be a strategic move for generating income from your portfolio. A dividend represents a percentage of company profits that are paid out to shareholders. Dividend aristocrats represent S&P 500 companies that have a track record… read more…

August 4, 2025Living wills and living trusts can both be useful tools for estate planning. Though they sound similar, they each serve a very different purpose. A living trust is something you might consider for managing the transfer of wealth and assets… read more…

February 17, 2021Retirees are on the move, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Though just 17% of the U.S. population is 65 and older, relocation company United Van Lines reports that seniors in that age group completed 29% of all its moves in 2020, one percentage point greater than in 2019. Moreover, about 20% of all surveyed movers listed… read more…

February 10, 2021Tax time is taxing, especially if you owe money to the IRS. Complex questions can lead taxpayers to seek out a tax preparer or a professional financial advisor to minimize their tax liabilities. But with this year’s delayed filing season officially under way on Feb. 12, those who underpaid on their taxes throughout last year… read more…

March 20, 2025A financial advisor can help you shape your investment strategy so you can reach your long-term goals. But financial advisors aren’t all alike when it comes to their expertise and experience or the type of advice they’re qualified to offer.… read more…

November 14, 2024Making the transition from working life to retirement presents a number of challenges ranging from how you’ll pay your living expenses to how you’ll occupy your time. The Certified Professional Retirement Coach is a professional designation that indicates a retirement… read more…

November 14, 2024Estate planners help people figure out how to pass assets to their heirs without losing too much to taxes, while also planning charitable bequests and addressing other matters relating to estates. It’s a complex task, involving a labyrinth of Internal Revenue Service regulations, court rulings and federal and state laws. Financial professionals who work with… read more…

February 5, 2021Nationwide, when it comes to wealth and personal finance success, Black Americans generally have less. Census data from 2019 shows that the median Black household income is 33% lower than the overall median household income and the Black homeownership rate is 22 percentage points lower than the general homeownership rate. Data on wealth accumulation depicts… read more…

August 22, 2023GameStop’s (GME) share price convulsions are riveting Wall Street and the rest of the U.S. financial establishment. Between Jan. 11 and Jan. 26, 2021, shares of the Grapevine, Texas-based company rocketed more than 1,600%, and in the middle of that ascent briefly tumbled 43%. Then, after closing out January at $328.24 – up from $18.84… read more…

March 11, 2021President Joe Biden has signed American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion stimulus package to help offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wreaked havoc on the economy and left many Americans struggling to pay their bills and support their families. The House and Senate have both passed their own versions of the bill;… read more…

November 22, 2024When families are wrestling with the challenge of paying the costs of higher education, a certified college financial consultant (CCFC) can help. CCFCs have gotten specialized training in education funding, including tax consequences, credits and student loans.  Most of the… read more…

September 21, 2025As you assess your short- and long-term financial goals, it may be helpful to compare the value of your assets to that of your liabilities. That’s where net worth comes in; this value can ultimately help you determine whether you… read more…