About the Role
Financial advisors are partners with their communities. We build relationships that have positive impacts for individuals, families and business owners throughout the towns and cities we call home.
As a financial advisor, I work with people in my community to help them achieve their financial goals through different stages of life by providing personalized investment recommendations. I personally get to know those who I work with and learn who and what is most important to them to establish personalized financial goals and strategies. Keeping in touch with my clients, reviewing progress and checking in, helps to make sure we’re meeting changes that might impact future financial needs. It’s an important role we as financial advisors play in the lives of our clients. To do this successfully, it takes the ability to listen and connect with people and a drive to positively impact a client’s financial future.
Becoming a financial advisor can be a rewarding opportunity for a career change. I came to my position as a financial advisor after working as a counselor in higher education, and I’m not alone in making a career switch. Many successful financial advisors came to this career from other positions, including healthcare, education, insurance, sales, accounting, legal and many others. Like me, these professionals found that their previous experience benefits their career as a financial advisor.
Many successful financial advisors came to this career from other positions, including healthcare, education, insurance, sales, accounting, legal and many others.
Being a financial advisor offers the opportunity to build relationships and help strengthen and support your community. As a financial advisor, you often have the flexibility to set your own schedule and work however is best for you. Also, you are in control of your earning opportunity, provided you work hard. The path to becoming a financial advisor includes exams, licensing, training and building a business. While getting to that point of opening doors isn’t easy, the work is worth it when you start helping your clients and becoming a part of your business’s community.
What do financial advisors do?
Financial advisors partner with clients to plan for their future using financial tools, markets and regulations to build and manage their client’s wealth. Knowing the financial products and services available and how they work is important, as is staying on top of any regulations. Keeping abreast of the markets is a large part of the role of a financial advisor, as well.
The day-to-day life of a financial advisor is rarely the same. Financial advisors spend the majority of their time meeting with clients or reaching out to them to discuss their accounts, goals, life events, transitions and potential recommendations.
Being a financial advisor is like managing your own business . You build up your client base and have autonomy on how you do that and how you spend your time. Because of this, financial advisors often actively participate in our communities by networking and volunteering, which allows us to establish strong relationships with clients, potential clients, colleagues and others. It’s also very rewarding to give back to the community and organizations that will support you throughout your career.
What skills and certifications are required for financial advisors?
To establish and maintain a successful book of clients, financial advisors should be self-motivated and committed. It’s important to remember that people are trusting you to work with their best interests in mind. Listening to people and caring about what they say is important in this career path, and high emotional intelligence is a must. Critical thinking and decision-making skills are also good to have, as you will be guiding clients through some big decisions of their own.
As mentioned, previous career experience translates very well to thriving as a financial advisor. Here are a few examples of careers that have found success transitioning to a financial advisor career:
Certified public accountant
Insurance agent
Lawyer
Nurse
Counselor
Salesperson
Health professional
Teacher
Real estate agent
When it comes to formal education and experience, financial advisor candidates should have at least one of the following:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work-related experience with a track record of success
Financial services and/or sales experience
Financial services licensing or certification
Professional and/or military career progression
If you’re a recent college grad not currently in the financial services industry, you should have:
A finance or business degree (preferred)
Professional work experience and/or internship
Collegiate level athlete or leadership roles within the organizations
Community involvement/volunteerism
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. Our company provides support all along the way — including preparation courses, study materials and compensation while you are working toward your securities registrations and insurance licensing.