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The differences between finance planners and investment associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a finance planner and an investment associate. Additionally, an investment associate has an average salary of $127,205, which is higher than the $71,607 average annual salary of a finance planner.
The top three skills for a finance planner include financial aid, financial services and client facing. The most important skills for an investment associate are powerpoint, customer service, and client service.
| Finance Planner | Investment Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $71,607 | $127,205 |
| Hourly rate | $34.43 | $61.16 |
| Growth rate | 15% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 91,557 | 39,012 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A financial planner is responsible for handling client accounts and providing financial advice to determine the best investment options according to the clients' interests and risk appetite. Financial planners record the clients' living expenses as a part of their portfolio, identifying their long-term goals and objectives, and giving tax advice. They also educate clients with investment options and opportunities to improve the clients' account performance and sell financial products. A financial planner must have excellent analytical and communication skills to conduct data and statistical analysis, especially in researching financial instruments in the market.
An investment associate's primary role is to review a company's financial data, recommend investment strategies, oversee the distribution of stocks, and calculate possible risks for business mergers. They also serve as a mediator during agreements between companies during takeovers, monitors stock inventory, sell stocks, and details all financial transactions. In the course of these responsibilities, an investment associate provides administrative support and timely response to client requests as needed, acting as an additional point of communication for clients.
Finance planners and investment associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Finance Planner | Investment Associate | |
| Average salary | $71,607 | $127,205 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $120,000 | Between $72,000 And $222,000 |
| Highest paying City | Springfield, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Northern Trust | Brookfield Properties |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a finance planner and an investment associate in terms of educational background:
| Finance Planner | Investment Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Business | Finance |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between finance planners' and investment associates' demographics:
| Finance Planner | Investment Associate | |
| Average age | 45 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 62.0% Female, 38.0% | Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.4% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 14.1% White, 68.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 7% |