GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences.

These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site.

This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site.

Relaxed African mature Couple at home with financial advisor.

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information.

you could read more about oureditorial guidelinesand our products and servicesreview methodology.

Heres what you oughta know.

facebook sharing button

What Is an Independent Financial Advisor?

The primary difference is that independent financial advisors dont work for a large corporation orbank.

Instead, they are usually self-employed.

twitter sharing button

Both types of advisors can have different fee structures, usuallyfee-basedor commission-based.

Heres what to consider.

Fee-Only

Independent financial advisors can set their rates and earning structure.

linkedin sharing button

Working with a fee-only advisor helps confirm that there arent any conflicts of interest or sales tactics.

Fiduciary

You want to ensure that an independent financial advisor is afiduciary.

A fiduciary manages someone elses money for the owners benefit, not their own.

email sharing button

Registered investment advisors are fiduciaries, but brokers and other money managers arent.

Confirming if an advisor is a legal fiduciary can help determineindependent financial advisor status.

Independent financial advisors arent required to have any of these designations.

Still, it can help you determine who might be a good fit.

Self-Employed

Most independent financial advisorsare self-employed and dont work for a large financial organization.

Asking about employment status, including commission-based employment, can help you determine if an advisor is independent.

Why Choose an Independent Financial Advisor?

Working with an independent financial advisor has many important benefits, including lower costs.

Here are the biggest perks of choosing an independent financial advisor.

The following tips can help you find the best independent financial advisor.

Once you find the right fit, you’re able to work together for decades.

Final Takeaway

Independent financial advisors dont work for a large bank or financial institution.

Because of that, independent advisors might be under less pressure to sell certain products or investments.

FAQ

Takeaway

Finding and working with a financial advisor is a great idea.

A financial advisor will help keep track of your finances and assist you in attaining your financial goals.

Get to know your Financial Advisor options today for Free!

you’ve got the option to learn more about GOBankingRates processes and standards in oureditorial policy.

Share This Article:

The Latest inMoney