People often make the mistake of thinking wealth advisor and financial advisor can be used interchangeably. However, these roles perform distinct duties. Learning the differences can help you make an informed decision regarding which advisor best meets your needs.
Wealth Advisor:
A wealth advisor specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals manage and expand their wealth. Wealth advisors offer investment management, tax planning, estate planning and risk management. Working closely with their clients, they create customised investment strategies tailored to their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Wealth advisors possess advanced degrees and certifications in financial planning or related disciplines and work for large wealth management firms or private banks. However, they may also operate independently as sole practitioners or within smaller wealth management firms.
Financial Advisor:
A financial advisor is an umbrella term used to refer to anyone providing financial advice to clients. Financial advisors may work with individuals, families or businesses and offer various services, including retirement planning, investment management, tax planning and risk mitigation.
Financial advisors come from different educational and professional backgrounds and may work for firms ranging from large banks and brokerage houses to independent advisory firms and individual advisory services. Some financial advisors specialise in fields like retirement planning or asset management, while others may provide comprehensive services.
Which Advisor is Right for Me?
That depends on your unique financial needs and situation. If you possess significant assets with complex needs that necessitate tailored guidance, wealth advisors may be best. But for more generalised services or when seeking more comprehensive coverage of services, a financial advisor might provide better assistance.