Financial Advisors are responsible for helping users with their financial planning and investments. They offer financial advice on different matters, from brokerage advice and savings to retirement planning. In this last case, they help users by forecasting future trends and deciding how to invest. These advisors usually specialize in particular areas such as investment advice, selling employee pension schemes, and offering mortgage loans. They always try to maintain a balance between capital gains and investments with minimal risk levels.

Financial Advisors usually perform many of the following tasks:
• Creating reports.
• Understanding client’s needs.
• Examining economic data.
• Advising clients about investments.
• Conducting meetings.

• Being trustworthy.
• Having interpersonal skills.
• Being organized.
• Having good communication skills.
• Having financial knowledge.
• Being aware of the current economy.
• Being able to work alone or with a team.
• Having high attention to details.
• Being able to convince people.
• Having math skills.

One of the most recommended qualifications to apply for a Financial Advisor job is to have a Bachelor´s Degree in Accounting or Finances. Another recommendation for candidates is to have a coursework in business law and economics. Bachelor’s studies include microeconomics, marketing principles, business statistics, and financial statement analysis. Some persons have a Master´s Degree in Finance in order to move to higher positions in organizations.

People working on this area are encouraged to have a license from the Certified Financial Planner. Requirements for this certification include a series of rigid exams, academic results, and following a strict code of conduct.