How to Become a Financial Advisor

Financial advisors are partners with their communities. We build relationships that have positive impacts for individuals, families and business owners throughout the towns and cities we call home.

As a financial advisor, I work with people in my community to help them achieve their financial goals through different stages of life by providing personalized investment recommendations. I personally get to know those who I work with and learn who and what is most important to them to establish personalized financial goals and strategies. Keeping in touch with my clients, reviewing progress and checking in, helps to make sure we’re meeting changes that might impact future financial needs. It’s an important role we as financial advisors play in the lives of our clients. To do this successfully, it takes the ability to listen and connect with people and a drive to positively impact a client’s financial future.

Becoming a financial advisor can be a rewarding opportunity for a career change. I came to my position as a financial advisor after working as a counselor in higher education, and I’m not alone in making a career switch. Many successful financial advisors came to this career from other positions, including healthcare, education, insurance, sales, accounting, legal and many others. Like me, these professionals found that their previous experience benefits their career as a financial advisor.

Being a financial advisor offers the opportunity to build relationships and help strengthen and support your community. As a financial advisor, you often have the flexibility to set your own schedule and work however is best for you. Also, you are in control of your earning opportunity, provided you work hard. The path to becoming a financial advisor includes exams, licensing, training and building a business. While getting to that point of opening doors isn’t easy, the work is worth it when you start helping your clients and becoming a part of your business’s community.

What do financial advisors do?

Financial advisors partner with clients to plan for their future using financial tools, markets and regulations to build and manage their client’s wealth. Knowing the financial products and services available and how they work is important, as is staying on top of any regulations. Keeping abreast of the markets is a large part of the role of a financial advisor, as well.

The day-to-day life of a financial advisor is rarely the same. Financial advisors spend the majority of their time meeting with clients or reaching out to them to discuss their accounts, goals, life events, transitions and potential recommendations.

Being a financial advisor is like managing your own business . You build up your client base and have autonomy on how you do that and how you spend your time. Because of this, financial advisors often actively participate in our communities by networking and volunteering, which allows us to establish strong relationships with clients, potential clients, colleagues and others. It’s also very rewarding to give back to the community and organizations that will support you throughout your career.

What skills and certifications are required for financial advisors?

To establish and maintain a successful book of clients, financial advisors should be self-motivated and committed. It’s important to remember that people are trusting you to work with their best interests in mind. Listening to people and caring about what they say is important in this career path, and high emotional intelligence is a must. Critical thinking and decision-making skills are also good to have, as you will be guiding clients through some big decisions of their own.

As mentioned, previous career experience translates very well to thriving as a financial advisor. Here are a few examples of careers that have found success transitioning to a financial advisor career:

• Certified public accountant
• Insurance agent
• Lawyer
• Nurse
• Counselor
• Salesperson
• Health professional
• Teacher
• Real estate agent

When it comes to formal education and experience, financial advisor candidates should have at least one of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work-related experience with a track record of success
• Financial services and/or sales experience
• Financial services licensing or certification
• Professional and/or military career progression

If you’re a recent college grad not currently in the financial services industry, you should have:

• A finance or business degree (preferred)
• Professional work experience and/or internship
• Collegiate level athlete or leadership roles within the organizations
• Community involvement/volunteerism

This is where it’s especially important to have a solid organization helping you get started. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, you won’t be alone as you work toward these registrations and start to build your business. Our company provides support all along the way — including preparation courses, study materials and compensation while you are working toward your securities registrations and insurance licensing.

How do I become a financial advisor?

To become a financial advisor, it’s helpful to have the backing of an organization. I’ve found that being an Edward Jones financial advisor comes with additional benefits and support.

I encourage you to apply for a position at Edward Jones. You can find our open positions on our careers website. Edward Jones strives to offer the best possible experience for more than eight million clients, because of this the interview and hiring process is thorough. So is the onboarding program for new financial advisors. Edward Jones provides a supportive and excellent training program for new financial advisors.

After being hired as an Edward Jones financial advisor, you’ll begin preparing and studying for the necessary certification exams and start working toward building your business. Edward Jones provides new financial advisors an hourly compensation so you can focus on your development, plus resources and tools to help you successfully earn your certifications and licenses.

New financial advisors also have the benefit of business-building training and workshops. These sessions will help you be confident in your ability to be a great financial advisor from day one as our team helps you with client and business development strategies.

How long does it take to become a financial advisor?

To prepare for and successfully pass the required exams, it takes appropriate dedication to studying. The time it takes to starting as a financial advisor depends upon passing the certification exams and getting the appropriate licenses.

We want to ensure you are prepared and ready to do your best from day one in your office. Edward Jones provides training so you are ready to advise your clients and build your business. Typically it takes nine weeks for trainees to prepare for and pass their exams with our study program. After you are certified and have the proper licenses, Edward Jones provides further training focused on learning how to run your business. This course usually takes four months.

But the support doesn’t stop there. Even after you are established, Edward Jones offers professional development and learning opportunities for financial advisors at any point in their careers.

How much does a financial advisor make?

Most financial advisors work on a commission structure based on the assets they manage and bring into their business. So, how much you can make as a financial advisor depends upon you. If you put in the work, your compensation will show it.

This is another area where Edward Jones helps financial advisors get started by providing compensation as you build your business. In addition to receiving compensation while studying for your exams and training to open your business, you can receive a supplemental salary for up to four years. As you work with clients, you will earn commission and additional compensation on new assets.

Hard work and great service are rewarded at Edward Jones. Financial advisors also have the opportunity to earn profit sharing, bonuses and travel . For more details on Edward Jones financial advisor compensation, visit our compensation page.

Being a financial advisor is a challenging yet rewarding career that gives you the opportunity to help people meet their goals and prepare for the future. As an Edward Jones Financial Advisor, we have the backing of an established company (with a 100+ year history) all along the way.

Interested in the Edward Jones Financial Advisor Opportunity?

Learn more about starting a career as a financial advisor or start searching for opportunities now. If you’re already licensed as a financial advisor, learn how we’re built to take your practice to the next level.