how can i becoma a financial advisor?

Question

what is the job description and do i need a degree

Answer 1

Depends on what kind of financial advisor you would like to be. I am an actual accountant with a four-year degree and an MBA. I have passed the CPA exam, and I work for a CPA. We do tax planning and advice for wealthier clients looking to pay only their fair share of taxes according to the tax code.

Before the CPA firm, I was also a corporate accountant in charge of calculating reserves for an insurance company and using customer financial performance to forecast sales and help the company budget appropriately. I was also a billing and membership manager for a smaller insurance company, and have worked for nonprofits and government entities as well in various financial advisory capacities.

My current employer, the CPA, is also an investment advisor, and I am currently studying for the appropriate exams to help him with that side of the business as well. I take the Series 7 exam on Thursday, the Series 63, which will license me to trade stocks among other things, in my state, and the Series 65, which will register me as a licensed investment advisor.

Financial advisors who are not accountants by education can also be investment bankers who help corporations obtain cash for long-term purposes, municipal securities brokers, and also commodities brokers along with a myriad of other titles and licenses and education requirements.

Yes, you usually need to get a degree to become a financial advisor.

Some core ingredients of becoming a financial advisor include:

Ability to communicate clearly and well.
Know your customers.
Know the laws, particularly securities and state laws.
Obtain and hold the appropriate licenses.
Understand the markets and the speed at which information flows.
Develop contacts.
Maintain continuing education.
Read.
Keep up with current events and how they impact your customers' finances.
Understand the impact of taxes on your clients' choices of investments and what happens when they buy or sell option and grants.
Know tax law.

Answer 2

Well in the finance industry I have come to find there is a lot of competition. I personally think from my experience and experiences of my colleagues that the best way to becoming a financial advisor is through an internship. And don't just work for anyone, work for the best you can. Those like Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney, Morgan Stanley. Let's face it your working for free in an internship so at least when you are through you will have a great name on your resume. Also, you will make great connections through the people you work for and they are usually more than willing to set you up with a job with someone they know. Also, while your interning don't be shy to ask them to sponsor you to take your series 7 exam, because as you might already know not anyone can take the exam you must be backed by broker/dealer and having the license makes a huge difference when being hired. So if you play your cards right you can have an internship under your belt with a great name like Merrill Lynch and your series 7 with plenty of recommendations from those you interned for. oh and by the way if you don't have a degree thats fine, but they usually ask that you have five years selling experiance.
Please let me know how it works out.

Answer 3

Yes you well need degree. Will need 4 year degree from college.

The job description is selling there financial products. Its basically sales job. You have to find your know customer and its commission job.

Some of the Companies you can work with are:
New York Life
First Investor
Prudential
etc

Answer 4

Hi Stephanie,

What is it about the financial industry that attracts you? where are you currently working/going to school at? My wife and I have our own financial planning practice and could point you in the right direction. Let me know.

Thanks!

Ro

Answer 5

Well I wouldn't trust my money to anyone without some sort of degree of certification.

Answer 6

YOU HAVE TO SPELL CORRECTLY FIRST. IT'S PROFESSIONAL AND THE WAY IT NEEDS TO DONE IN THE BUSINESS WORLD. USE SPELL CHECK.