What is a financial advisor?
When people hear the term financial services, they may focus more on the “financial” and less on the “services.” But financial services is truly a service profession, seeking to serve those who need financial guidance. And there truly is a need. A recent Guardian study shows that only 32% of Americans surveyed say they’re very good at managing their finances and 41% say they are concerned that their retirement savings won’t last as long as needed.1 According to data from LIMRA, about 100 million Americans are either without life insurance or inadequately insured.2
Financial advisors understand the toll that money worries can take on people’s financial and emotional confidence and well-being. They see it every day in their work, so they are skilled in helping people address these concerns and setting up a manageable plan of action.
What do financial advisors do?
The simplest definition is this: a financial advisor helps people anticipate and manage the financial aspect of major life events. From birth to death, and every point in between (first home, children, college, disability, retirement), a financial advisor guides people to both short- and long-term decisions that will help them achieve their goals, protect their assets, save more effectively and gain greater life satisfaction.
What does it take to be a financial advisor?
There is no specific educational background or experience required. At Guardian, we have four core values that set the tone for our culture and how we work with our clients:
We do the right thing.
We believe people count.
We courageously shape our future together.
We go above and beyond for the people we serve.
While financial advisors are skilled in the nuts and bolts of financial management, the real differentiator is the ability to understand the needs of your client. So, you don’t have to be an accountant, but you must believe in being accountable to your clients, above all else. You don’t need a degree in finance, but you should possess a high degree of empathy and above-average listening skills.
For many Guardian financial advisors, the desire to help others was the spark that led to their careers.
Personal and community connections
A financial advisor is deeply embedded in the everyday challenges and long-term goals of their clients. As relationships develop over the years, financial advisors are naturally drawn into major events in their clients’ lives, such as developing long-term insurance plans at a child’s birth, planning the details of college funding, and exploring options for retirement income.
Our financial advisors also volunteer their time and skills to educational, social and environmental efforts in their local communities — such as helping college students learn how to manage their own finances and plan for their educational and financial futures.
A life-changing career
Guardian financial advisors enjoy the flexibility of being entrepreneurs who run their own businesses, while being backed by the financial strength, structure and support of a 165-year-old company. They’re empowered to make decisions and set up their practices in ways that make sense for their needs and those of their clients. In addition, they‘re encouraged to step up into leadership roles and guide new advisors.
If you are motivated by challenging work and a desire to help others, a career as a financial advisor could be the next move for you.