Are you considering a financial career? If so, that’s exciting! Helping clients with their assets is an admirable profession. We’ll talk you through how to become a financial advisor so you can start making the right decisions for your future!
What it Takes to Become a Financial Advisor
Once you decide to become a financial advisor, the first thing you’ll need is a bachelor’s degree. If you’re about to head off to college, choose related classes, including economics, statistics, accounting, and so on. If you’ve already graduated college and don’t have a degree in finance, that’s okay! Although a bachelor’s degree is required, the specific major is not.
After that, it’s time to gather real work experience. This is an industry that can be difficult to break into. Consider applying for internships to make connections, learn on the job, and grow professionally. You’ll get to witness firsthand how the experts handle their clients.
Certifications and Licenses
Before you’re qualified to handle clients of your own, it’s time for you to get certified and acquire the appropriate certifications and licenses. This varies depending on your potential employer’s qualifications and your intended career path (i.e., to become a certified financial planner (CFP), you’ll have to take and perform well on the CFP exam). Decide what type of financial career you want and fulfill those requirements.
Here is a list of typical licensing requirements:
- Series 6 License – A good beginner’s license that allows you to sell packaged securities but not individual stocks or bonds.
- Series 7 License – A more difficult license to get because it gives you such broad access, but it is worth obtaining.
- Security Industry Essentials (SIE) Exam – This exam is taken along with your Series 7 license to receive your general securities registration.
- Series 63 License – An exam required by your state covering detailed regulations and legal matters. You’ll need to in addition to your Series 6 or 7 license.
- Series 65 License – A similar exam designated for financial advisors who are fee-based as opposed to commission-based.
- Series 66 License – Also called the Uniform Combined State Law Examination.
Trajan Team Requirements
We take pride in adding only the most qualified financial advisors to our team. In addition to the aforementioned certifications, here are a few of the attributes we require in every one of our advisors:
- Ethical. Dealing with our clients’ financial interests requires a strong ethical code and a thorough understanding of the law. This is a non-negotiable quality for every member of our team.
- Informed. Our advisors stay up to date on the latest financial news, from economic developments to tax codes.
- Well-Spoken. Part of this work involves communicating nuanced subjects. Our advisors look forward to educating our clients so they feel confident and comfortable with their decisions.
Are you interested in becoming a fiduciary? Read our blog article ‘What a Fiduciary Does and Doesn’t Do’ for a more in-depth analysis of fiduciary roles and responsibilities.
Join Trajan Wealth
We love what we do and encourage those interested in finances to pursue their passions. Interested in becoming a member of the Trajan Wealth team? Check out our financial careers opportunities to see what positions are currently available. We love talking to potential candidates, so we encourage you to reach out with any questions you may have.
