Advisor Resources

July 22, 2025Use 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…

October 20, 2026This 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…

June 11, 2026Starting 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…

July 17, 2026Going 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…

March 5, 2026Selling 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…

April 23, 2026Regulatory 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…

July 15, 2026One 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…

March 6, 2025Outsourcing 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…

February 4, 2026If 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…

July 9, 2026Goals-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…

June 3, 2026Nurturing 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…

October 7, 2026Selecting a custodian is an important decision when launching a registered investment advisor (RIA) firm. Your custodian holds and safeguards client assets, while your firm oversees investment advice and portfolio management. Betterment Advisor Solutions, formerly Betterment for Advisors, is an all-in-one custodial platform that’s built for independent RIAs. This technology-focused custodian is designed to help… read more…

March 18, 2026Managing 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…

July 23, 2026Behind 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. Clear processes and well-defined support pillars can help your RIA operations withstand regulatory pressure, keep abreast of the… read more…

June 24, 2026The 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…

June 11, 2026In 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…

September 3, 2026Growing a financial advisory practice takes more than investment expertise. Advisors who build sustainable businesses tend to combine a handful of core strategies, from cultivating referrals and deepening client relationships to building a credible digital presence and embracing technology. Research consistently shows that firms with documented growth plans outperform those without one. Here are eight… read more…

July 17, 2026LinkedIn 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…

July 22, 2026Financial advisor sales funnels are structured systems designed to move prospects from initial awareness to becoming clients. These funnels often blend digital and in-person tactics to attract leads, assess fit and guide them toward a consultation or discovery call. By mapping each stage of the funnel, advisors can refine messaging, streamline follow-up and improve conversion… read more…

October 20, 2026Choosing where to build a financial advisory career can shape everything from how you serve clients to how much control you have over your business. For many advisors, the decision comes down to working within the structure of a wirehouse firm or pursuing greater autonomy as part of an independent RIA. Understanding the differences between… read more…

March 6, 2025Financial advisors rely on different sales strategies to drive growth. These strategies focus on client acquisition and retention, thereby helping advisors identify and engage with potential clients, communicate value propositions effectively and differentiate themselves in a competitive market landscape. Here’s are five things to keep in mind when developing your own sales strategy. SmartAsset’s Advisor… read more…

October 20, 2026Managing an independent RIA firm can be challenging on many levels. If you’re making the transition to your own practice or are looking for ways to streamline operations and increase efficiency for an existing firm, having the right tools can help. Tapping into RIA resources can make managing your advisory firm easier while enabling you… read more…

February 20, 2026A Certified Financial Planner™ must meet education, experience, ethics and examination requirements to obtain certification. Financial professionals with a degree, a qualifying credential and at least three years of experience may choose the CFP® Accelerated Path to expedite the process. Following the accelerated plan allows you to bypass much of the coursework required to earn… read more…

May 9, 2024When Joe Anderson founded Pure Financial Advisors, his goal wasn’t just to offer great financial advice to clients. He also wanted to build an in-house sales and marketing team capable of converting leads into new clients at scale. Today, Pure Financial Advisors uses a 20-point checklist for establishing and nurturing relationships with new leads. From… read more…

March 7, 2025Partnering with SmartAsset, Pure Financial Advisors reports recently crossing a major milestone in raising over $1 billion in new assets under management through the platform. The success Pure has had with lead generation through SmartAsset has helped the business expand organically beyond its California headquarters and into other states. “Our team is proud to celebrate… read more…