What are the steps to becomcing a Financial Advisor? How long does it take? How much does it cost?
Question:
Answer:
Well, you definitely need to know finance. If you don't, good luck finding people who will trust you.
The exams you will need are the Series 7, 63, and 65 to become a registered investment advisor. In order to take the exams, a company needs to sponsor you via a U-4 form (they do a background check as well).
It IS possible to find a company that will hire you and put you through training (Ameriprise or Northwestern Mutual Financial Network). These companies, however, have less than stellar reputations. The will allow you to get your foot in the door.
A Bachelor's Degree is becoming a necessity in this business. Who will trust a financial advisor is they are less educated than themselves? I know I wouldn't.
Go to nasd.com, cfp.net, and TheAmericanCollege.edu for more information on becoming a Financial Planner.
Ron, ChFC
To be an advisor, you don't even need a degree (unless you want to be certified [CFP]). If you need to find a sponsor for the exams, insurance companies (Northwestern Mutual, AIG, etc) will be the easiest to get hired at without experience. They will sponsor you for the Life, Accident and Health Risk Management Exam, the Series 6 (mutual funds) or 7 (mutual funds and individual stocks), and the 63 (government regulations).
Companies, such as Merrill Lynch, Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley, will require experience without a business/economics degree, so it will hard to get a job there.
More Related Questions & Answers...