- How to Become a Fiduciary Advisor
Becoming a fiduciary financial advisor is about more than a title or regulatory standard, it’s a commitment to how you approach advice, relationships and responsibility. The fiduciary model asks advisors to put clients first in every decision, even when it’s inconvenient or challenging. For some, that responsibility is energizing; for others, it can feel restrictive.… read more…
- Qualifications That Every Financial Advisor May Need
Becoming a financial advisor is a chance to positively impact the lives of the clients you work with. In addition to being emotionally rewarding, it can be a lucrative career path as well, particularly if you opt to go independent. But what financial advisor qualifications are required to start or build a practice? And how… read more…
- Newsletters Every Financial Advisor Should Consider Following
The financial services industry is constantly evolving due to regulatory changes, technological advancements and shifting market conditions. To provide the best service to their clients, successful advisors recognize the importance of staying informed on the latest news and trends. Subscribing to financial advisor newsletters is an effective way to stay updated and ahead of industry… read more…
- IBD vs. RIA: What Are the Differences?
Going independent has its perks, namely freedom, flexibility and control over decision-making in running your business. The question is, which path should you choose: Independent Broker-Dealer or Registered Investment Advisor? Comparing the advantages and disadvantages of an IBD vs. RIA model can help you decide which one makes the most sense for you. SmartAsset’s Advisor… read more…
- How to Volunteer as a Pro Bono Financial Advisor
Volunteering as a pro bono financial advisor is an opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals and families who can benefit from your expertise. Numerous organizations exist that help match financial advisors with people who need guidance with managing their money. Doing pro bono work can also be an opportunity for… read more…
- SmartAsset AMP Outreach Workbook
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- SmartAsset AMP: 30 Day Outreach Plan
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- SmartAsset Leads – Standard Advisor Outreach
Use this page to help you follow up with leads from SmartAsset. Touch 1 (Message) Day 1: Schedule an Outreach Hi, this is ______. I’m a Certified Financial Planner and your financial advisor from SmartAsset. I wanted to let you know that I will be giving you a call at __ on __ to go over your… read more…
- Handling Indifference for Advisors
This page contains the Common Prospect Resistant Statements and a framework for handling them. A.R.T. Framework Here’s a few things to keep in mind before Use the A.R.T. framework to overcome objections. A.R.T. stands for: Common Prospect Indifferences Acknowledge & Validate: Validate the Prospect’s decision of working with an advisor and open the conversation to.… read more…
- Guide to RIA Startup Costs
Starting a registered investment advisor firm can mark the beginning of a new phase in your career if you’re ready to go independent. Assessing RIA startup costs is a key step in the planning process. Understanding some of the most important expenses you’ll need to pay can help you shape your startup budget. Add new… read more…
- How Much Independent Financial Advisors Make
Going independent and starting an RIA has certain advantages for advisors who want greater flexibility in creating a client experience. If you’re transitioning from a larger firm into your own business, it’s important to consider how that might impact your earning potential. Comparing independent financial advisor salary numbers can offer some perspective on what you… read more…
- 9 Sales Tips for Financial Advisors
Selling financial services to prospective clients can be challenging on many levels. Once you’ve connected with a lead, you need to spend time nurturing that relationship and building trust. You also have to demonstrate your value to the client and why they should rely on you to help them manage their money. Some of the… read more…
- What Are Regulatory Assets Under Management (RAUM)?
Regulatory assets under management (RAUM) represent the total market value of investments that a financial institution manages for its clients, calculated according to guidelines set by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). RAUM can indicate a firm’s size, scope and regulatory standing. It’s also important to note that RAUM and AUM are calculated differently. Here’s… read more…
- What Is SEC Form PF?
One of the most important aspects of running an advisory business is ensuring that your firm complies with state and federal regulations. That includes knowing which documents you’re required to submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). SEC Form PF is a requirement for investment advisors who manage private funds. It’s important to understand… read more…
- How Solo Advisors Can Outsource Financial Planning
Outsourcing for a solo advisor can offer benefits such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, access to specialized expertise and time savings, which could allow them to focus more on client-facing activities and business growth. Solo advisors can take advantage of these benefits by strategically outsourcing non-core functions such as administrative tasks, compliance, technology support and investment research… read more…
- Requirements to Register as an Investment Advisor
If you’re a financial professional looking to help individuals manage their investments or provide financial advice, you’ll likely need to become an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR) at a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm. This requires registering with the right regulatory authorities, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities agencies, depending on… read more…
- How to Implement Goals-Based Financial Planning
Goals-based financial planning focuses on helping clients pursue specific life objectives such as buying a home, funding a child’s education or retiring at a certain age. Rather than anchoring advice to benchmarks or market performance, this approach aligns investment strategies with client-defined outcomes. Five of the 10 largest wealth managers in the world have adopted… read more…
- How to Create a Financial Advisor Newsletter
Nurturing a sense of trust with clients can increase retention rates and potentially generate new clients through referrals. Communication is central to that effort, and if you’re not leveraging the benefits of email marketing, you may be missing out on valuable opportunities to build deeper connections. Sending a weekly or monthly newsletter can help you… read more…
- Betterment for Advisors Review
Selecting a custodian is an important decision when launching a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm. Your custodian is responsible for safeguarding and managing client assets on your firm’s behalf. If you’re looking for a custodian to work with, Betterment for Advisors is one option to consider. This technology-focused platform is designed to help advisors provide… read more…
- Options to Outsource Your RIA Operations
Managing operations is one of the most time-consuming aspects of running an independent advisory firm. Developing workflows and automating systems can help you streamline important tasks, but as you continue to grow, you might decide that the time has come to seek outside help. Eighty-five percent of RIAs outsource some technology tasks, while 83% outsource… read more…
- How to Build RIA Operations: Compliance, Technology and Growth Systems (2026 Guide)
Behind every successful registered investment advisor firm is an operations framework that clients rarely see—but always feel. From how plans are built to how portfolios are managed, strong operations turn good advice into consistent, reliable outcomes. Without clear processes, even the best strategies can fall apart under growth or regulatory pressure. Ready to grow your… read more…
- What Is the CFP Board’s 7-Step Financial Planning Process?
The CFP Board oversees the Certified Financial Planner™ designation and provides CFP® professionals with a seven-step process for providing financial planning services. The process takes the advisor and client through the entire relationship, from the initial meetings through years or decades of monitoring and adjusting the plan as the client’s circumstances change. The CFP® financial… read more…
- What Cost of Equity Is and How to Calculate It
In corporate finance, cost of equity represents the return a company must generate to satisfy its shareholders. Financial advisors also rely on the cost of equity when evaluating investment opportunities and making recommendations to clients. It helps them assess a company’s financial health, growth prospects and potential returns, which can help advisors construct diversified portfolios… read more…
- 8 Financial Advisor Business Growth Strategies
Growing a financial advisory business doesn’t always mean doing more, sometimes it means getting more focused. Many advisors struggle to stand out in a crowded market because their message tries to appeal to everyone. Learning how and why to niche down can be a powerful turning point for advisors looking to attract better-fit clients and… read more…
- How Financial Advisors Can Use Sales Navigator
LinkedIn Sales Navigator is a prospecting tool that can help professionals find potential leads, organize outreach and build relationships over time. While it’s designed as a B2B platform, client-facing advisors and other financial professionals can leverage Sales Navigator for lead generation. In terms of its value, the typical B2B user realizes a 312% return on… read more…