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What To Do Now? Financial Advisor Career Training

by Karen Jo Shapiro
Online Education Columnist

Are you interested in helping people plan how best to use, save, and invest their money? Are you detail-oriented, good with numbers, enjoy crafting a plan, and able to solve problems well? If finances intrigue you, you might want to assess your skills and education and consider retraining for a career as a financial advisor. This field is one that is useful in any economy--whether people are figuring out how to save and reduce debt, or how to make the most of their investments, they always need good advice.

Career Advice: Financial Advisors

The demand for financial advisors, professionals who can work with clients to help them achieve their financial goals, is expected to be robust in the coming years. In every economy, people need guidance and information to manage their money well. Financial advisors help people plan for retirement, save for a special goal, pay back debt, and any other task that requires a good financial assessment. A good advisor needs to be able to both look at the big picture and also pay attention to the details. Typically a bachelor's degree is required for this career and graduate education or further certifications are desirable. Retraining and education in this area includes knowledge of financial instruments (like stocks and bonds), and improving your skills at managing complexity around numbers.

Career Skills and Education

To become a financial advisor, you need strong interpersonal skills and a desire to help people. It is also helpful to be a detail oriented person who cares about accuracy. You must be able to analyze information in a way that helps clients meet their particular goals. You must also be able to explain investment strategies to your clients. Retraining, in the form of online career training courses or other additional education can build your competence, knowledge, and confidence. There is a lot to know about the financial world, but with the right educational approach, you can steadily improve your skills.

More about Financial Advisor Career Training & Financial Advisor Schools Online


Kaplan University

  • MS in Finance - Financial Planning
  • MBA - Finance
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  • Golden Gate University

  • M. S. in Financial Planning and Taxation
  • Financial Planning - Masters
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  • Ashworth College

  • Financial Planning
  • Associate of Science Degree in Finance
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  • View all online Financial Advisor schools >>
    Karen Jo Shapiro is a psychologist who specializes in leadership and career development in addition to personal coaching. She is the owner of Your Next Steps Coaching and is on adjunct faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership in Greensboro, NC. She leads workshops for women on achieving their dreams through action planning, and also on powerful connections through networking. Karen Jo has undergraduate degrees in English and Spanish from Colby College and a Psy.D. from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. She has published two books of humorous poetry for children.