Do you have an interest in accounting or money management? If so, learning how to begin a career as a financial consultant could be beneficial to you. To become a financial consultant in the United States, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree, certifications, and other training. Below are some of the most common requirements that employers will be looking for.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
To become a financial advisor, you will need a bachelor’s degree. However, there’s not one specific major that you need to pick. Generally speaking, so long as the major has to do with economics, accounting, or business, you should be fine. Some of the best majors for financial advisors include finance, business, statistics, business, or business administration.
If you want to improve your chances of getting hired, then you can go on to get a master’s degree in a related field. Usually, it’s best to work on a master’s degree after you have already started your career as a financial advisor or in a related career. The best master’s degree to go for would be a Master’s in Business.
Become Certified and Licensed
What certificates and licenses you need to become a financial advisor will depend on what state you live in. However, there are certain tests you will need to take in most states. These tests include the Series 6, 63, 65, 66, and FINRA Series 7. To take many of these tests, you will first need to be referred or sponsored by a current FINRA member or firm.
Generally, it’s best to take the Series 6 test first. This is because you need to have passed this test before you can take some of the other Series tests. Also, you need to pass the FINRA Series 7 test before you can take the Series 66 test. Of course, make sure to check your state’s requirements to see if there are any other tests you must complete.
Take Extra Lessons
Virtually everyone who applies to work as a financial consultant will have the same required degree and certificates. For this reason, it’s best to do some extra training or take optional classes to help yourself stand out on your resume. There are a variety of niche topics that potential financial consultants can learn about. These include cash flow banking, real estate investing, stock market investments, and business-related banking.
It can also be beneficial to take extra lessons and classes even after you get a job as a financial advisor. This is because the world of finances and investments are constantly changing. Taking classes can help to keep you up to date on all of these changes. Doing this can also improve a current financial advisor’s chance of getting a promotion or raise, especially if their coworkers are not attending similar classes.
Work as an Intern
If you are looking for a way to get some on-the-job experience before jumping feet-first into your new career, then you may benefit from working as an intern for a short time. It should be noted that not all internships require people to work for free. Some internships are open to college students to give them college credit. Other internships may even pay a small amount of money.
While working as an intern, students or potential employees can learn the necessary skills they would need if they were to go on to work as a financial advisor. Once again, this is another thing potential employees can do to make their resume look better. Unlike some of the other things on this list, it’s best to take up an internship before working as a financial advisor, as there is little to no benefit to doing this if you already have a job as a financial advisor.
If you want to become a financial advisor, then you need to do the first two items on this list. However, the second two are optional, but can help your chances of getting a job. Good luck!
