What Is a Financial Advisor? Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Right One
Kimberly Green | 2025-12-15
By Kimberly Green, cofounder of Sam’s List If you’ve ever typed “what is a financial advisor?” into Google and felt overwhelmed by jargon or vague answers, you’re in the right place. Think of a financial advisor as your personal financial coach — someone who helps you understand your money, your goals, and the actionable steps to get you there. At Sam’s List , we help people find trusted financial professionals and demystify complex financial topics — starting with what a financial advisor actually does and how to choose one wisely. What Does a Financial Advisor Do? (Plain-English Breakdown) A financial advisor helps you manage your money, plan for the future, and avoid costly mistakes. They assess your situation, clarify your goals, and help you make smarter decisions across your finances. Services Often Include: Goal setting & financial strategy Investment management Retirement planning Tax-efficient planning Budgeting & debt management Insurance and risk analysis Estate and legacy planning Ongoing emotional support during market shifts How Financial Advisors Actually Spend Their Time According to Natixis’ 2024 Global Survey of Financial Advisors , here’s how advisors spend their time: Task % of Time Client Meetings 23% Managing Client Relationships 20% Managing Investments 16% Admin Work 10% Prospecting 9% Compliance 8% Investment Research 5% Marketing 5% Trend Watching 4% 🧠 What this means for you : Proactive advisors spend the majority of their time on you , not just the markets. Types of Financial Advisors Not all " financial planners " are created equal. The title can mean different things depending on training, licensing, and services offered. Title What They Do Certifications/Licenses CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) Creates holistic plans — goals, insurance, retirement, estate CFP® CPA Offers tax-focused planning and financial advice CPA + possibly PFS CFA® Specializes in investments and portfolio strategy CFA® Credit Counselor Helps manage debt and credit NFCC or similar Insurance Agent Sells insurance and annuity products State license + Series 6/63 Retirement Advisor Plans retirement income strategy CFP®, RICP Wealth Manager Serves high-net-worth clients with complex needs CFP®, CFA®, Series 65/66 👉 Use Sam’s List to filter by advisor type, services, and specialties. Benefits of Hiring a Financial Advisor Is it worth it? For many, yes — especially if you want clarity, accountability, and confidence in your financial decisions. 🎯...