How to Start Your Career as a Financial Advisor?

Published on: 13 September 2018 Last Updated on: 19 July 2019

Over the next 30 years, the baby boomers are expected to transfer approximately 30 trillion dollars of wealth to the millennial. Financial advisors are at an all-time advantageous position because they will help manage that money. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 27% job growth for advisors between 2012 and 2022. The average job is suggested to be about $99,920.

However, this career is not an easy one. While there are a lot of career openings for finance sector,It is constantly changing. If you are interested in the profession, here are a few tips on the educational requirements, salary packages and the certification that will help you understand what you will need to be a successful financial advisor or start a financial planning career.

Who is a financial advisor?

Just as the name suggests, financial advisors provide advice to clients on how they can handle their money better. Financial advisors tell their customers where to channel their money, so they get higher returns and grow monetarily. These channels may include insurance options, retirement plans, and other investment strategies.

These professionals, therefore, need to have an excellent understanding of how the stock markets, the banking and insurance sectors are performing.

There are two options if you’re thinking about how to become a financial advisor. You can either choose to work with a company, or you can go private. Either way, you need a bachelor’s degree and relevant certification.

Educational requirements for a financial advisor online

The first step to getting into any career is to get an appropriate bachelor’s degree. The financial advisor career requires you to a degree in business administration and other specialized fields like accounting or financial management.

The business administration course will cover topics like marketing, accounting, operations management, and finance. The financial management course will focus on financial planning, investments and risk management.

While you are studying, make sure that you take advantage of the support resources offered by most universities. Resources such as resume writing guidance for professional CV writing service, job assistance, getting interview leads and writing cover letters will be beneficial when you are building your career.

You may also want to develop your marketing skills as you study since you will be tasked with the responsibility to connect with clients through marketing your advisory services in networking avenues, workshops and seminars. It is critical for you to start learning the different marketing strategies early. They will be helpful when you are looking for clients to represent.

Depending on the country and the state you reside, you will be needed to get licenses and certifications. The license you get will depend on the types of assets you want to handle. If you’re going to sell securities like corporate bonds, you need a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority licensing exam.

For the entry levels, the experience is not necessary, however, as you grow in the industry, you will need to get more certifications. The more certificates you have, the more likely you are to succeed in the private sector.

You will have to take the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam that will require you to complete 30 units of continuing education and summation of your annual dues. These classes improve your professional conduct.

To color your CV even further, take an advanced degree such as a Master’s. It will help you move up in your managerial positions and even land better-paying customers.

Time and costs involved in the financial planning career

This career requires rigorous studying. To pass most of the industry’s exams, you have to dedicate up to 270- hours of study time including the series seven that gives stockbrokers a license to trade and 66 to qualify you as an investment advisor and security agents. You also have to dedicate your time to training programs which will be invaluable for embarking into the career as a private representative.

Being a certified financial planner is not a requirement for financial advisors although the CPF test is done after a person enters the business.

Becoming a financial advisor is not cheap. The series 7 exam costs $305, and the 66 costs $155. The training may be offered by the company that you work for after getting your first degree. CFP costs are $594. The materials needed and the classes can be well over $400.

The monetary costs are nothing compared to the time you have to dedicate to be a competent professional. The costs of commitment and time will help you build a healthy practice.

The rewards of becoming a financial advisor

The salary of financial advisors varies depending on their education and experience level. Advisors that do not have more than 10 years experience get a salary of about $25000 per year. The salary increases over time because you get a salary, bonuses, and commissions. After ten years these professionals get about $95000 per year. According to statistics, the highest paid financial advisors in 2013 reached $180000.

There is also the personal satisfaction you get when you help change people’s lives. No two days at work are the same. You have endless opportunities to grow and expand. You will meet interesting people who will also change your life.

You also get the chance to maintain a great work-life balance since you have the advantage of built-in scheduling flexibility. You will also work well after your retirement years because the career does not require physical strain. Once you figure out what type of investor you want to be, it gets more comfortable for you to meet clients, excel in your education and growth.

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7 TIPS TO REDUCE CREDIT CARD BILLS

If you have a large amount of credit card debt and you are only making minimum payments every month, you are not going to pay it off any time soon. In fact, if you only make minimum payments, it could be decades before you find yourself debt-free again. It is extremely important to put yourself in a proper financial position, and a good way of doing that is by reducing your credit card bills. Tips to reduce Credit Card Bills: Here are a few tips on how to reduce your credit card bills that will help you pay off your debt: 1. Take Stock: Before you start to reduce your credit card bills make sure you know where you stand. By this, we mean know your target. You will never hit the target if you don’t know where it is, so be honest with yourself. 2. Pay more than the minimum: As discussed before, if you only make minimum payments each month, then it will take ages before you find yourself debt-free again. Thus, it is clear that paying more than the minimum due you can lower your monthly credit card bills, but still, so many customers struggle in making that the priority. Making a little more than the minimum payment every month will eventually help you in the long run. 3. Ask your credit card company for lower rates: A simple and quick way to lower your credit card bill is by negotiating a lower interest rate. Just by reducing the rate of interest by one or two percent, you can save hundreds of bucks. Try calling your creditors and ask them politely to lower your rates. If you have a good credit score and have been a loyal customer to them, then you can easily negotiate and get yourself a lower interest rate. 4. Target one card at a time: People often use multiple credit cards to buy stuff. More cards mean more accounts which eventually leads to more debts. If you are using multiple credit cards, then a good way to lower the bill is by targeting one card at a time. Focus on one account and try to clear that first. Get the minimum for each card, but pay as much as you can on the card you are targeting first. Usually, paying the card with the highest interest rate works. 5. Make a budget: Make yourself a budget every month and stick to it. It can be difficult to adjust your lifestyle too quick, so instead, try going for small adjustments. It can be as simple as cutting out one or two pizzas each week or by changing your thermostat by few degrees. Reducing your costs a little bit can help you out in the long run. Remember to save yourself a few extra bucks every month in case an unexpected bill pops up. 6. Make two minimum payments every month: A good way to lower your bill is by making two minimum payments. Since credit cards apply interest daily, cutting your balance during the month will reduce the minimum payment for the next month. 7. Transfer your balance: Another good way to reduce your monthly payments is by transferring the balance from a card with a high-interest rate to a card with a low-interest rate. If done properly, this can save you hundreds of bucks every year. Remember that credit cards with a low rate of interest are mostly introductory offers which last about a year and a half, so make sure pay off the debt before the rate of interest increases. Conclusion: We hope these tips can help you to reduce your credit card bills. If you know more tips on lowering the bill, post them in the comment sections below! hence if you want to make your choices in the right direction then the use if the credit card bills can make things work for you in all possible manners. Work out the best strategy that can help you to achieve your objectives in the best possible ways. Read Also : Are Debt Consolidation Loans Recommended For Credit Card Consolidation Credit Card Fraud The Holiday Season: Things To Consider For Next Year What Are The Important Parts Of A Free Business Credit Report?

How to Find the Best Exchange Rates

Traveling or trading with foreign currencies require additional fees, which often include surcharges for credit cards, commissions, fees for ATM, and others. Whether you are travelling to a new country for a vacation or considering expanding your currency portfolio, it’s no surprise that financial institutions are looking for ways to increase their profit in the long run. After all, each of them is technically running a business. If you are looking for a way to add more value to your money, there are ways on how you can find the best exchange rates almost effortlessly. Here are some tips to remember: 1. Research the Exchange Rate Beforehand: Exchange rates differ from country to country. There are countless online currency converters available, many of which come from reliable sources that are derived straight from the Forex market. If you are purchasing cash online via a mobile application, you may notice some additional charges that come with the conversion. To get the most of your money, consider searching for various cash apps with affordable transaction fees and compare them with each other before ultimately deciding which works best for you. 2. Plan ahead: For travelers who are visiting another foreign country, one of the best things you can do while preparing for the trip is to plan how much money you are going to need. After that, you can purchase your foreign currency ahead of time online instead of the last minute which usually requires costly delivery rates. Purchasing ahead also gives you a chance to see whether or not your payment has come through and allows the business the chance to confirm your identity. Purchasing currency online also saves time spent standing in lines and can be done as quickly as possible. 3. Use Credit and ATM Cards: ATMs abroad usually provide the best exchange rates when it comes to purchasing foreign currency which are usually 2-7% better compared to exchanging cash or traveler’s checks. During travel, it’s best to avoid using money exchange kiosks in public transportation areas and tourist spots. 4. Exchange Cash and Traveler's Checks: For people who may not want to use their cards for small purchases, exchanging cash and traveler’s checks is another way to find good exchange rates. However, be wary of exchanging them in tourist-filled areas like airports and train stations. Consider checking in banks and post offices. To get a proper exchange rate, read the postage rates very carefully and ask for the net rate that comes after commissions. It’s important to remember that commissions work in two ways: The commission that takes per percentage. The commission that is charged per item and transaction. To lure tourists, certain money changes that are not at banks or post offices will post the sell rate for the currency rather than the buy rate, which means you might be buying more than what you intend to spend. These money changers may also offer great rates exclusively for traveler’s checks or very large sums of money which can be dangerous to hand carry around. As an added precaution, be wary of exchanges in the black market which often include scams and counterfeit currency. 5. Watch out for hidden charges: Some companies may offer deals that advertise how much money you can save if you choose a specific delivery option, which actually includes extra hidden charges. To be safe, find out how much you are paying in total and exactly how much currency you will receive, changes with great exchange rates can be negated by commissions and handling fees. 6. Read the fine print: There are various apps and sites out there advertising the fact that they do not include transaction fees, delivery fees, and commissions. While this is very tempting, the last thing you want to do is to purchase a large sum of currencies only to realize that there are certain limitations and deductions. As much as possible read the fine print in the site’s terms of use. You can also call the company and ask some questions they may not address in their website. Conclusion: Dealing with foreign currency doesn’t have to be a hassle. As a currency trader or a traveller, one of the most important things you can do is actively research on a reliable business that stays close to the exchange rate without adding in extra hidden charges. While it may be time-consuming at first, learning to add value to your purchases is simply an investment you can’t avoid. Read Also: The Glitches Arrived In Travelling To New Place Tips To Help You Learn A New Language In A New Country

How Do You Avoid Negative Equity On Your Next Car Loan?

Car finance allows drivers to spread the cost of a new or used car into affordable monthly payments. By borrowing money from a lender, drivers can purchase a car and pay the lender back in monthly installments until the end of the agreed term. Negative equity is a term you may hear often with car finance, and for many drivers, it is best to avoid it. Find out how you can ensure you don’t end up with negative equity and what to do next if you find yourself in this situation. What Is Negative Equity? In car finance, negative equity is when you owe more on your loan than your car is worth. Negative equity can be known as outstanding car finance or an upside-down loan which means if you sold your car to clear the loan, you still wouldn’t have been able to pay the balance off. For example, if your settlement figure was £6,000 and your car was worth £4,000, you would still owe the finance company £2,000. Usually, negative equity happens when the value of your car drops quickly during your agreement. This is especially common with brand-new cars, as they can lose up to 50% of their value in the first few years of ownership. Here, if you want to trade in your car but have negative equity, you will need to repay the loan amount before you take a new loan to purchase a new vehicle. What Are The Reasons For Negative Equity? Basically, a negative equity situation happens for a variety of reasons. For instance, an upside-down situation in regard to a car loan can happen due to the following reasons: You might have a loan for a longer term. Apart from that, your vehicle has also gone through depreciation since your purchase. There is a no-money-down auto loan in your case, or you might have paid more than the sticker price of the vehicle due to the inclusion of add-ons. You might have purchased an expensive vehicle, which might not have the same value that you expected during the purchase. Your debt regarding the loan is of a high rate of interest. Hence, most of the money that you are paying is going to the interest as compared to the principal. Depreciation is also a major factor in this case. Basically, the term rate of depreciation shows how fast an asset loses its value. Generally, a car loses almost 20% of its value in the first year itself. Furthermore, the process of depreciation continues to happen in the following years until the car fully loses its value. Why Is Negative Equity Problematic? Negative equity within your car finance deal can be an issue because you will still owe the lender money even if you sell your car. In some cases, you may not be able to sell the car, too. If you find your circumstances have changed and you can’t afford to carry on with the loan, you may be charged additional fees for missed or late payments, and it can lead to much more serious financial consequences. How Do You Avoid Negative Equity In The First Place? Before you take out a car finance deal, consider these factors below to help prevent negative equity from occurring: Only Borrow What You Can Afford. If you’re in a position to buy a new car on finance, it’s important you use a car payment calculator first to see how your loan could look and make sure it is affordable. This may mean choosing a used car over a brand-new car, as older cars usually have already depreciated at their fastest rate in previous years. Put Down A Larger Deposit. A larger deposit contribution at the start of your finance agreement can help to reduce your loan amount. A smaller loan can help to reduce the risk of your car being worth less than how much you owe. Choose A Slower Depreciating Car. If you want to avoid negative equity, you could consider choosing a car that depreciates at a slower rate. Cars that hold their value will be less likely to leave you out of pocket at the end of your car finance deal. Make Higher Payments. Negative equity can often be associated with PCP deals as they offer low payments and a large balloon payment at the end of the deal. Opting for a deal such as a hire purchase, which aims to pay off the value of the car at the end of the deal and has higher monthly payments, can help avoid any outstanding finance. How Do You Get Out Of Negative Equity? There are different ways of getting out of negative equity. However, based on your current situation, you will need to choose which way works the best for you. Basically, you will need to choose the one that goes with your budget. Furthermore, it also depends on whether you want to keep the vehicle or not. Hence, to get out of negative equity, make sure you do the following: 1. Start By Paying Off The Loan The most obvious way to pay off your negative equity is to accelerate your payment. Here, the faster you pay your loan off, the sooner you will be able to deal with the debt. One of the best ways of paying off the loan is to pay extra on the principal part. Apart from that, you can also consider paying a lump-sum amount beforehand to avoid paying interest for a longer period. Hence, you must consider reviewing your budget and savings from time to time to pay off your existing debt. 2. Loan Refinancing Here, you might consider taking out a new loan to pay off your existing debt. This will help you in getting out of your upside-down car loan faster. This works even better if you can avail of a new loan with a lower rate of interest. 3. Selling The Vehicle If you do not need the vehicle, you can consider selling off the vehicle. This way, you can get a lump sum of cash, which will allow you to pay off the loan. Furthermore, if you sell the vehicle to a private buyer, you will have the option to negotiate the price further. This will enable you to get more cash, which will further help you to pay off the negative equity. 4. Surrendering The Vehicle If you handle the vehicle to the lender, you can get out of the negative equity, too. In addition to that, if you do a voluntary surrender, you will be more likely to get out of the negative equity. Summing Up: Getting Out Of Negative Equity If you’ve not been able to avoid negative equity and need to know how to get yourself out of it, follow the top tips below: If you can still afford your current car finance payments, it is recommended you stick with the deal you have at the moment. In many cases, your deal will balance out over the duration of the loan, and the negative equity should be settled by the time you reach the final payment. You could pay off your negative equity by paying the lender in cash. You can hand your car back to the lender through Voluntary Termination. If you’ve paid half of your agreement off, you could return the car to the lender. It’s always best to speak with your lender first, though, to see how they could help you. Do you have any more ideas to add? Consider sharing in the comment section below. Read More: Proven Strategies To Captivate Buyers And Sell Your Business Successfully Get On The Online Market With The Best Web Design Experts In Brisbane 8 Tips For Tech Industry CV Writing That Highlights Your Skills And Experience

How to Start Your Career as a Financial Advisor?

Who is a financial advisor?

Educational requirements for a financial advisor online

Time and costs involved in the financial planning career

The rewards of becoming a financial advisor

5 Must-Have Long-Term Goals for A Secure Future

Why Personal Lenders Like SkyCap Financial Provide?

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

7 TIPS TO REDUCE CREDIT CARD BILLS

How to Find the Best Exchange Rates

How Do You Avoid Negative Equity On Your Next Car Loan?

How to Start Your Career as a Financial Advisor?

Who is a financial advisor?

Educational requirements for a financial advisor online

Time and costs involved in the financial planning career

The rewards of becoming a financial advisor

Share this Article

5 Must-Have Long-Term Goals for A Secure Future

Why Personal Lenders Like SkyCap Financial Provide?

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related