For example, do you just want a plan, or do you also need help with your investments? Then, just like you probably wouldn’t buy the first house you find when shopping for a home, you likely don’t want to commit to a financial professional before getting a sense of what’s out there. That’s why James Lee, CFP® and president of the Financial Planning Association, suggests talking to at least 3 to find a fit. Evaluate candidates to find someone you feel you can trust, whose communication style is compatible with yours, and who understands your values around money. “Part of a good relationship is understanding an individual’s life goals and priorities and making sure advice is consistent with the values they have.”

In most cases, you’ll need a lot more subtlety to approach friends and family about working with you. For instance, you can use social media to demonstrate your expertise so you’ll be top of mind when they need a financial advisor. The relationship, however, can be a bit tricky for a lot of reasons. The boundaries might get blurred as you continue working together and might impact your personal relationships. In addition, convincing them to trust you with their finances in the first place might be even harder. Rather than waiting for someone to approach you, consider taking the proactive approach. Ask your friends if they, or someone they know, could benefit from a financial planner.

For more resources, check out our guide to getting free financial advice. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. All written content on this site is for information purposes only. Opinions expressed herein are solely those of Approach, unless otherwise specifically cited. Material presented is believed to be from reliable sources and no representations are made by our firm as to another parties’ informational accuracy or completeness. All information or ideas provided should be discussed in detail with an advisor, accountant or legal counsel prior to implementation.

How Big is the Financial Planning & Advice Industry?

And, as a friend, you also have a responsibility to keep your personal relationship intact. While these aren’t opposing goals, fulfilling both can be a lot harder to do in practice. This allows them to experience the benefits of working with you without feeling pressured to make any financial commitments. By providing a no-cost consultation, a free analysis of their current financial situation, or providing tax advice, you can build rapport and establish trust. Instead of approaching family members in person and giving a sales pitch, you can let them know that you’re open for business and showcase your financial planning process through a more subtle approach, like social media. Above all else, we recommend your search for a financial advisor begins with those in your life whom you trust. You may or may not get recommendations for a fiduciary specifically, but you will get honest feedback from someone you trust.

This is a highly competitive field, and earning the same basic qualifications as everyone else isn’t nearly enough to get you ahead of the pack. Being a financial advisor can be highly stressful due to the responsibility of managing clients’ financial futures, market volatility, and the need to make crucial decisions under pressure. Stress levels can vary based on individual clients and market conditions. Read more about Financial here. Staying current with evolving financial regulations and industry trends is both a requirement and a professional necessity for financial advisors.

Commissions and Fees (Fee-Based)

Here’s what you need to know about financial advisors and planners, and how to zero in on the best one for your goals and budget. This is where it’s especially important to have a solid organization helping you get started. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, you won’t be alone as you work toward these registrations and start to build your business.

When should I get a financial advisor?

The cost of a financial planner depends on how the financial planner makes money. Rebell suggests looking for fee-only financial planners, or ones who work for fees or hourly rates. “This is where it gets important to ask your financial planner how they are getting paid,” she says. An independent financial adviser is not employed by a broker-dealer (a firm that buys and sells securities on behalf of its customers) or insurance company and is typically not tied to a large financial institution. (Looking for a new financial adviser? This tool can match you to an adviser who meets your needs.).

Our estimates are based on past market performance, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. It used to be that financial advisors charged fees that were a percentage of the assets they managed for you. Today, advisors offer a wide variety of fee structures, which helps make their services accessible to clients of all levels of financial means.