Need financial guidance? Here are 4 types of financial advisors

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What type of hat does your advisor wear?

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Finding a financial professional can be confusing. You may hear terms like financial advisor, certified financial planner, and chartered financial consultant, but how do you know which one you need?

Or do you even need a financial advisor? If you understand the basics of investing and the investment types available to you, and you’re comfortable with your goals and risk tolerance, you might be better off handling your own finances.

But if you decide to seek financial help, remember that financial professionals have different specialties—and different cost structures. Before seeking a financial advisor, reflect on your financial circumstances and goals. Knowing which type of financial advice you need will help you determine the type of advisor you should hire.

There are four main categories. Although their roles have similarities, there are distinct regulatory differences in the advice they provide.

This is one of the most common designations for financial advisors. Having a CFP means the financial advisor is a fiduciary, so they must act in their clients’ best interest. Financial professionals who become CFPs must take courses on financial planning, studying topics such as investment planning, estate planning, retirement planning, and ethics. Before financial advisors can take the coursework, they must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college as well as professional work experience. The CFP test is a board-level exam administered by the College of Financial Planning, an accredited college.

Investors they serve: People who need individually tailored investment advice, financial planning services, or (in some cases) brokerage services (buying and selling of financial instruments like stocks and bonds).

This designation is offered by the American College of Financial Services, an accredited college. Although ChFCs are similar to CFPs—including the requirement to act as a fiduciary in client dealings—there are some significant differences. In addition to the basic coursework about financial planning, ChFCs also study topics such as special-needs planning or behavioral finance. ChFCs also must pass a comprehensive exam. ChFCs are bound to the American College of Financial Services’ ethics code, and the school enforces the ethics standard. It’s not uncommon for financial advisors to hold both certifications (CFP and ChFC).

Investors they serve: People who need a financial advisor focusing on insurance might want to consult a ChFC. But a ChFC is also trained on subjects like tax and retirement planning, special needs advising, and wealth management.

RIAs are independent fiduciary financial advisors who give financial planning advice and help individuals manage their assets. Many RIAs also are CFPs and ChFCs. If an RIA doesn’t have those designations, they must pass the Series 65 exam on Uniform Investment Adviser Law, which covers topics such as federal securities law. The test is administered by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), a third-party organization that enforces rules for registered brokers and broker-dealer firms. Because they give investment advice, RIAs also must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or their state regulator. You can research an RIA’s background and experience at FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.

Investors they serve: RIAs provide individually tailored investment advice, and some manage investment portfolios. They’re less likely to help with overall financial planning.

Broker-dealers buy and sell securities for individuals or for their own accounts. Although “broker-dealer” is a compound term, brokers and dealers are two different entities. A broker executes orders for clients. Full-service brokerages work with individuals on a financial plan in addition to trading. Discount brokerages just execute trades. Brokers must pass the Series 7 exam, the General Securities Representative Qualification Examination, which tests a broker’s knowledge regarding sales of stocks, bonds, and some insurance products (e.g., annuities). Broker-dealers are also registered with the SEC and FINRA. You can research broker-dealers and a firm’s background and experience at FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.

Broker-dealers aren’t required to be fiduciaries, but rather they fall under the less-strict “suitability” standard. Still, under Regulation Best Interest (“Reg BI”), which became effective in 2020, they must act in your best interest, and must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Investors they serve: People making trades. Some provide financial consulting, too.

There are other types of financial professionals you may want to consider, depending on your needs.

Robo-advisors offer digital financial advice through an automated investment platform using artificial intelligence and limited human interaction. To use a robo-advisor, an investor fills out a questionnaire about their financial circumstances and goals, and the platform chooses a model portfolio based on their responses. Robo-advisor accounts are often easy to open, are available to people with small amounts of money to invest, and have low fees compared to using a human advisor.

Financial coaches work with people on their relationship with money and financial goals. They can help people set saving and spending priorities and give clients a better picture of their overall money situation. Financial coaches are sometimes called financial-fitness coaches. They offer advice, but aren’t licensed to sell securities, and they’re not likely to be fiduciaries. It’s a relatively new field, so check a coach’s credentials. The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education accredits these advisors, and the association is certified through the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

There are many confusing terms regarding financial professionals, so make sure you understand your financial circumstances and goals before seeking advice. Aside from financial advisors, other professionals may influence your money journey. Among them are tax advisors, estate-planning lawyers, and insurance agents who sell products such as annuities. They all can help, but you have to pay for their advice, too.