Best Financial Planners and Financial Advisors

We’re making it easy for people all over the USA. When searching for the best financial advisor and planner, you’ll find a lot of different options. There are some automated investment services called robo-advisors, and then there’s the traditional in-person financial advisors. In the middle of all of this are online financial advisors, and financial planning services. They offer many of the services of a traditional financial advisor, but have an online presence in order to cut their costs.

Assuming you’re ok with meeting the advisor virtually, via phone/video, online financial advisors are a great way to save money, and get comprehensive financial planning and investment management advice. The specific offerings of the advisors vary, for example some of these services will match you with a financial advisor, who is dedicated to you only – where others will give you access to a team of advisors. Your financial advisor is someone who gives you financial advise. The advisor takes into account a range of information, economic trends, regulatory changes, and more – in order to give you insights on risky financial decisions.

In order to help you, we’ve provided you with a list of options which help you determine what’s the best picks for robo-advisors, and traditional alike. Your financial advisor will help you make long and short term goals, and then create a game plan on attaining them. Your advisor is investing your money, based on your decisions. Many financial advisors also provide tax advice, and sell insurance.

Personal financial advisors typically do the following:

• Meet with clients in person
• Explain the types of financial products available
• Educate clients, and answer questions
• Recommend investments to clients, and select investments on their behalf
• Help clients plan for circumstances, like education
• Monitor client accounts, and determine if changes are needed
• Research investment opportunities

Most financial advisors offer advice on a wide array of topics. For example, some handle retirement, or risk management. After a financial advisor has invested in your money, they’ll monitor your investment, and get regular reports. They monitor it, and usually meet with a client at least once a year to update you on your investment and to adjust your financial plan because of your changed circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a financial advisor do?

Financial advisors help people manage their investments, plan their retirement, and save money. Financial advisors provide direction and strategies. They are looking for investments or assets which will help their client grow. Financial advisors come in many ways, such as robo-advisors, or in traditional dedicated advisors. Bottom line, they are all helping you figure out what to do with your money. Successful financial advisors assess the needs of an individual and help them with investments, take into account tax laws, and then provide guidance on what decision should be taken.

Do I need a financial advisor?

If you find that taking care of your finances and planning your future is overwhelming and you need help, then a financial advisor is the right fit for you. If you need help investing your money, you may need a financial advisor. Financial advisors aren’t for everyone, but they can help you navigate the tricky waters of organizing your finances.

How much money do you need in order to hire a financial advisor

This depends on what you’re willing to spend and what you’re looking for. Robo-advisors, such as digital investment management services, charge no management fees. Others charge .25% of your account balance.

There are online planning services and traditional in-person financial advisors too. Online planning services usually charge a management fee which starts at .3%, or a flat annual or monthly fee. Traditional advisors usually charge 1% of your assets, or a flat fee.

What should you look for in a financial advisor?

Advisors come in all shapes and sizes, and some are expensive, some are cheaper. Depending on whether you want to work with an in-person advisor, or with an online advisor, the costs will change. If you’re concerned with creating a responsible portfolio, then platforms like Ellevest do a better job at that. But if you staying in your budget comes first, then you could go to a low-fee robo-advisor. Major robo-advising platforms even trade publicly traded companies like like  OnDeck, PayPal Working Capital, or Kabbage.

What’s the difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor

The difference can be subtle. Financial planner is an advisor, but an advisor isn’t necessarily a planner. Financial advisors are a category of individuals who help people manage their finances. Certified financial planners have gone through extensive training, have taken exams, and are obligated to act in their client’s best interest. It’s important that when you look for a financial advisor you vet them.

Should you choose a robo-advisor, online financial planning service, or in person financial planner?

In-person advisors build a strong relationship with you. They will learn about your intimate details, like your family, etc, and give you potentially better advice. They are more expensive than robo-advisors or online planning services.

Robo advisors are a GREAT choice if you only want investment management advice. If you need more comprehensive financial planning, many of the popular online planning services offer dedicated advisors who can give you customized advice.

Find Financial Advisors and Planners Near You

New York: NYC, Long Island

Robo Advisors: Betterment