Salary and Outlook

According to the US Department of Labor, there are 330,300 people employed as personal financial advisors in the United States. The median annual salary is $94,170. Entry level employees earn approximately $47,570 per year and senior employees earn approximately $208,000 (or more) per year.

Estimates do not include other potential benefits such as health insurance, overtime pay, or retirement benefits that may be offered by employers.

Job Duties

• Analyze financial information obtained from clients to determine strategies for meeting clients' financial objectives.
• Answer clients' questions about the purposes and details of financial plans and strategies.
• Review clients' accounts and plans regularly to determine whether life changes, economic changes, environmental concerns, or financial performance indicate a need for plan reassessment.
• Contact clients periodically to determine any changes in their financial status.
• Investigate available investment opportunities to determine compatibility with client financial plans.
• Explain to clients the personal financial advisor's responsibilities and the types of services to be provided.
• Recommend financial products, such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or insurance.
• Inform clients about tax benefits, government rebates, or other financial benefits of alternative fuel vehicle purchases or energy efficient home construction, improvements, or remodeling.
• Conduct seminars or workshops on financial planning topics, such as retirement planning, estate planning, or the evaluation of severance packages.
• Prepare or interpret for clients information, such as investment performance reports, financial document summaries, or income projections.
• Monitor financial market trends to ensure that client plans are responsive.
• Guide clients in the gathering of information, such as bank account records, income tax returns, life and disability insurance records, pension plans, or wills.
• Recruit and maintain client bases.
• Meet with clients' other advisors, such as attorneys, accountants, trust officers, or investment bankers, to fully understand clients' financial goals and circumstances.
• Devise debt liquidation plans that include payoff priorities and timelines.
• Open accounts for clients and disburse funds from accounts to creditors as agent for clients.
• Recommend environmentally responsible investments, such as cleantech, alternative energy, or conservation technologies, companies, or funds.
• 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.
• Implement financial planning recommendations or refer clients to someone who can assist them with plan implementation.

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