Personal Financial Advisors

Also Called: Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Financial Advisor, Financial Planner, Portfolio Manager

What Personal Financial Advisors do

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

  • Interview clients to determine their current income, expenses, insurance coverage, tax status, financial objectives, risk tolerance, or other information needed to develop a financial plan.
  • Recommend to clients strategies in cash management, insurance coverage, investment planning, or other areas to help them achieve their financial goals.
  • Manage client portfolios, keeping client plans up-to-date.
Industry Areas:

Finance and Business

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  • Telephone
  • Spend Time Sitting
  • Face-to-Face Discussions

Tools

  • Notebook computers
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
  • Tablet computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers

Technology

Customer relationship management CRM software
Microsoft Business Contact Manager
Salesforce software
Presentation software
Financial planning presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Financial analysis software
Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
WealthTec Foundations

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Business
customer service
accounting and economics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
psychology
Safety and Government
law and government

Education

  • 52% Bachelor's degree
  • 35% Post-baccalaureate certificate
  • 4% Less than high school diploma

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Conventional (Organizer)
  • Enterprising (Persuader)
  • Social (Helper)

Work Styles

  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Concern for Others
  • Achievement/Effort

Values

  • Independence
  • Achievement
  • Recognition

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Math
  • Ideas and Logic

This is what Personal Financial Advisors across the country typically make.

$23.43 / hour
$48,730 /year

Entry Level

$47.88 / hour
$99,580 /year

Median Level

$115.00 / hour
$239,200 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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