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Investment counselor vs finance consultant

The differences between investment counselors and finance consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an investment counselor and a finance consultant. Additionally, an investment counselor has an average salary of $120,817, which is higher than the $77,551 average annual salary of a finance consultant.

The top three skills for an investment counselor include client service, capital markets and client relationships. The most important skills for a finance consultant are customer service, financial services, and financial statements.

Investment counselor vs finance consultant overview

Investment CounselorFinance Consultant
Yearly salary$120,817$77,551
Hourly rate$58.09$37.28
Growth rate15%15%
Number of jobs33,01694,259
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4545
Years of experience44

What does an investment counselor do?

Investment counselors can be called financial planners. They usually work in a financial institution to communicate with clients on how to invest in an investment. An investment counselor often assesses the client's financial situation to come up with a financial plan. Sometimes, they are also responsible for conducting training and workshops for both clients and bank employees.

What does a finance consultant do?

A finance consultant is responsible for providing financial plans and advice for clients, managing their finances and investment decisions, and helping them achieve their long-term financial goals. Finance consultants carefully evaluate clients' financial situations, help them decide on insurance options, and patiently respond to finance-related inquiries and concerns. They should be able to monitor financial market conditions to decide on the right strategies for the clients' best interests. A finance consultant must have excellent analytical skills, as well as broad knowledge of the financial industry and stock market movements.

Investment counselor vs finance consultant salary

Investment counselors and finance consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Investment CounselorFinance Consultant
Average salary$120,817$77,551
Salary rangeBetween $68,000 And $213,000Between $54,000 And $110,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyCitiApple
Best paying industryFinanceTechnology

Differences between investment counselor and finance consultant education

There are a few differences between an investment counselor and a finance consultant in terms of educational background:

Investment CounselorFinance Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Minnesota - Twin CitiesUniversity of Pennsylvania

Investment counselor vs finance consultant demographics

Here are the differences between investment counselors' and finance consultants' demographics:

Investment CounselorFinance Consultant
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 74.0% Female, 26.0%Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 72.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 8.5% White, 71.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between investment counselor and finance consultant duties and responsibilities

Investment counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage $3MM private investment portfolio consisting of mid-cap/large-cap equities.
  • Adjust sector exposure to express personal macro views, selecting single stocks within sector base on fundamental analysis and technical indicators.
  • Monitor preparation of asset/liability management report.

Finance consultant example responsibilities.

  • Lead new hire training for FINRA test preparation and consultative sales model.
  • Manage client's portfolio to ensure proper taxation of gains/losses on exercise stock options.
  • Provide expert advice to clients to achieve their financial planning goals in conjunction with an independent RIA.
  • Lead and organize a weekly macro meeting with multi-asset strategists to discuss and challenge the team's positioning.
  • Focuse on separately manage accounts, mutual fund and ETF wrap programs, variable annuities, and alternative strategies.
  • Manage all employee relate matters, including stock options, benefits , 401K, payroll administration and human resources.
  • Show more

Investment counselor vs finance consultant skills

Common investment counselor skills
  • Client Service, 13%
  • Capital Markets, 11%
  • Client Relationships, 10%
  • Securities, 10%
  • Wealth Management, 8%
  • Brokerage, 7%
Common finance consultant skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Financial Services, 10%
  • Financial Statements, 5%
  • CPA, 4%
  • Business Development, 4%
  • Wealth Management, 3%

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