Occupation · SOC 13-2052
Personal Financial Advisors
Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.
Median wage
$102,140
$49,990–—
Projected growth
+9.6%
Faster than average
Annual openings
3,120
per year
Employed (US)
270,480
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
333 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingWritingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationMathematicsJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisPersuasionActive LearningMonitoringTime ManagementNegotiationLearning StrategiesInstructingCoordinationManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesQuality Control AnalysisProgrammingOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignScienceTroubleshootingRepairingOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEconomics and AccountingEnglish LanguageMathematicsPsychologySales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentAdministrativeCommunications and MediaEducation and TrainingTherapy and CounselingPersonnel and Human ResourcesTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingEngineering and TechnologySociology and AnthropologyPhilosophy and TheologyGeographyHistory and ArcheologyPublic Safety and SecurityDesignFine ArtsForeign LanguageTransportationMedicine and DentistryMechanicalPhysicsFood ProductionChemistryBuilding and ConstructionBiology
Technology & tools
ACT! ACT4AdvisorsASI Client Acquisition SolutionAdvent AxysAdviceAmerica AdvisorVisionAdvisory World ICEAsset allocation softwareAutomatic Data Processing ProxyEdgeBrentmark Stock Option Risk AnalyzerCabinet NG CNG-SAFECheshire Financial Planning SuiteComplianceMAXCorel QuattroProCygnus IncomeMaxDataViz Beyond ContactsEISI NaviPlanEZ-Data Client Data SystemEducation planning softwareEstate Capitol Needs AnalysisEstate planning softwareExpenseWatchFileMaker ProFinance Logix Education PlannerFinance Logix Insurance PlannerFinance Logix Retirement PlannerFinanceware AASimFinanceware Finance File ManagerFinanceware WealthSimulatorFinancial Planning Consultants Practice BuilderFinancial Profiles Profiles+ ProfessionalFinancial planning presentation softwareFinancial planning softwareFinancial report generation softwareFund accounting softwareGetting Things Done GTD softwareHost Analytics Host BudgetIBM DominoIBM Lotus 1-2-3IMPACT Wealth Distribution AnalysisIbbotson AnalystIbbotson Portfolio Strategist
Representative tasks
Getting InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDocumenting/Recording InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing OthersThinking CreativelyIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAssisting and Caring for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCoaching and Developing OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client intake interviews — conduct using structured questionnaires to gather income, expenses, and insurance data under direct supervision in a retail financial services office.Financial data entry — record and organize client information accurately into CRM software following established firm protocols.Basic financial documents — read and interpret account statements, tax returns, and insurance policies with guidance from a senior advisor.Financial planning concepts — explain common investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds to clients using scripted talking points.Client risk tolerance — identify and document using standardized assessment tools under the direction of a licensed financial advisor.Spreadsheet software — apply to compile client financial data and perform basic calculations including net worth and cash flow summaries.Regulatory compliance requirements — follow firm-mandated procedures and compliance checklists when handling client accounts and documentation.Client questions — respond to routine inquiries about account balances and plan details by referencing prepared materials and escalating complex issues.Financial planning recommendations — assist in implementing basic strategies such as setting up automatic contributions under senior advisor oversight.Continuing education modules — complete to build foundational knowledge in economics, accounting principles, and financial planning methodology.
developing
Client financial profiles — analyze independently to identify gaps in insurance coverage, savings rates, and investment allocation within a team-based advisory practice.Financial planning strategies — develop and present tailored cash management and investment recommendations to clients with moderate financial complexity.Client portfolio accounts — review on a scheduled basis to assess performance against stated goals and flag needed adjustments with limited oversight.Life-event changes — evaluate their impact on existing client financial plans and initiate appropriate plan revisions in a timely manner.Financial analysis software — utilize to model scenario projections including retirement income estimates, college savings trajectories, and debt payoff timelines.Written financial plans — produce clear, organized documents that translate analytical findings into actionable client recommendations using standard firm templates.Referral network — coordinate with tax professionals, estate attorneys, and insurance specialists to facilitate implementation of components outside direct advisory scope.Client relationship management — maintain ongoing communication with an established book of clients using CRM software to track interactions and follow-up actions.Regulatory and suitability standards — apply consistently when recommending specific financial products such as mutual funds or annuities to client segments.Economic and market developments — monitor regularly and communicate their implications for client portfolios during scheduled review meetings.
proficient
Comprehensive financial plans — design autonomously for clients across diverse life stages, integrating investment, insurance, tax, and estate planning strategies in a full-service advisory environment.Complex client financial situations — analyze involving business ownership, concentrated equity positions, or multi-generational wealth to develop nuanced, individualized strategies.Non-routine client concerns — address independently by applying advanced critical thinking and inductive reasoning to identify root causes and craft responsive solutions.Portfolio management — execute across a full client book, rebalancing allocations and selecting appropriate financial products in response to market and personal circumstance changes.Client advisory conversations — lead with authoritative oral expression and active listening, adapting communication style to varying levels of financial literacy.Financial plan reassessments — initiate proactively when economic shifts, regulatory changes, or environmental factors indicate material risk to client objectives.Systems analysis — apply to evaluate how changes in one area of a client's financial life, such as a job transition, cascade across their full planning picture.Persuasion and client education — employ to gain client commitment to evidence-based strategies that require behavioral change or long-term discipline.Compliance and ethical standards — uphold rigorously across all client interactions and documentation, exercising independent judgment in ambiguous regulatory situations.Advanced financial modeling — build using spreadsheet and financial analysis software to stress-test client plans against inflation, sequence-of-returns risk, and longevity scenarios.
advanced
Firm-wide financial planning methodology — define and continuously refine to ensure consistent, high-quality client outcomes across all advisors and service lines.Advisor team development — mentor and coach junior and mid-level financial advisors, designing learning strategies that accelerate their professional competency and licensing achievement.Organizational growth strategy — lead by identifying target client segments, developing service models, and allocating resources to expand the firm's advisory practice.Enterprise risk culture — establish by setting standards for ethical conduct, suitability review, and compliance oversight that govern all client-facing activity at scale.Complex high-net-worth client relationships — manage at the principal level, providing integrated wealth management guidance that spans investment, tax, philanthropy, and estate planning domains.Industry and regulatory trends — monitor and translate into updated firm policies, ensuring the advisory practice remains ahead of compliance obligations and market opportunities.Cross-functional leadership — direct collaboration among financial advisors, compliance officers, technology teams, and external partners to deliver seamless client service ecosystems.Thought leadership — produce and disseminate authoritative written and presentation content that elevates the firm's reputation and educates clients on evolving financial planning topics.Performance metrics and systems evaluation — design and implement dashboards tracking advisor productivity, client retention, and plan quality across the organization.Strategic client acquisition — lead business development initiatives, leveraging professional networks and persuasive communication to build institutional and high-value individual relationships.
Also known as
55 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Account ManagerAsset AnalystAsset ManagerBudget CounselorCertified Financial Planner (CFP)Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)Client AdvisorCredit CounselorDebt CounselorEstate PlannerEstate Planning CounselorEstate TrusteeFinance ConsultantFinancial AdvisorFinancial Advisor AssociateFinancial AgentFinancial ConsultantFinancial CoordinatorFinancial CounselorFinancial Investment AdviserFinancial Investment AdvisorFinancial Life PlannerFinancial PlannerFinancial Relationship ConsultantFinancial Retirement Plan SpecialistFinancial Solutions AdvisorFiscal SpecialistIndividual Pension AdviserIndividual Pension ConsultantInsurance AdvisorInsurance ConsultantInvestment AdvisorInvestment ConsultantInvestment CounselorInvestment Representative (Investment Rep)Money ManagerPatient Financial CounselorPension AdvisorPension ConsultantPersonal Banker