Skip to content

Personal Financial Advisors

Business and Financial Operations (13-2052)
Bright Outlook

Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives. May also buy and sell financial assets for clients.

At a Glance

Personal Financial Advisors earns a median of $102,140/yr with +9.6% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity.

Median Annual Wage

$102,140/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+9.6%

Annual Openings

24

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (14)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.1
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

4.1
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.0
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.9
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.6
Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

3.6
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.6
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.6
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.6
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.4
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.4
Systems Evaluation

Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.

3.4
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3

Knowledge (4)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.4
Economics and Accounting

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

4.1
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.9
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.7

Abilities (13)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.0
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.0
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.9
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.8
Number Facility

The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.8
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.8
Mathematical Reasoning

The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.

3.6
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.6
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.6
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.4

Technology (12)

Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Swift

Category: Object or component oriented development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Structured query language SQL

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Salesforce software

Category: Customer relationship management CRM software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Visual Basic

Category: Development environment software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft SQL Server

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Project

Category: Project management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (21)

Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.8
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.7
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.6
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.6
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.5
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.5
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.2
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.2
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.0
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.0
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

4.0
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.8
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

3.5
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.4
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.4
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

3.3

Work Styles (5)

Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

5.0
Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

5.0
Cautiousness

A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

4.3
Intellectual Curiosity

A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

Want to build these skills?

Sign up to find courses that teach these skills, track your progress, and build a skills passport aligned to Personal Financial Advisors.

Get Started Free