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Personal financial
advisors
assess the financial needs of
individuals. Advisors use their
knowledge of investments, tax laws,
and insurance to recommend financial
options to individuals. They help
them to identify and plan to meet
short- and long-term goals. Planners
help clients with retirement and
estate planning, funding the college
education of children, and general
investment choices. Many also
provide tax advice or sell life
insurance. Although most planners
offer advice on a wide range of
topics, some specialize in areas
such as retirement and estate
planning or risk management.
Personal financial
advisors usually work with many
clients, and they often must find
their own customers. Many personal
financial advisors spend a great
deal of their time making sales
calls and marketing their services.
Many advisors also meet potential
clients by giving seminars or
lectures or through business and
social contacts. Finding clients and
building a customer base is one of
the most important aspects of
becoming successful as a financial
advisor.
Financial advisors
begin work with a client by setting
up a consultation. This is usually
an in-person meeting where the
advisor obtains as much information
as possible about the client’s
finances and goals. The advisor then
develops a comprehensive financial
plan that identifies problem areas,
makes recommendations for
improvement, and selects appropriate
investments compatible with the
client’s goals, attitude toward
risk, and expectation or need for a
return on the investment. Sometimes
this plan is written, but more often
it is in the form of verbal advice.
Advisors sometimes meet with
accountants or legal professionals
for help.
Financial advisors
usually meet with established
clients at least once a year to
update them on potential investments
and adjust their financial plan to
any life changes—such as marriage,
disability, or retirement. Financial
advisors also answer clients’
questions regarding changes in
benefit plans or the consequences of
a change in their jobs or careers.
Financial planners must educate
their clients about risks and
various possible scenarios so that
the clients don’t harbor unrealistic
expectations. |