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Registered representative vs finance advisor

The differences between registered representatives and finance advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a registered representative, becoming a finance advisor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a finance advisor has an average salary of $64,993, which is higher than the $54,074 average annual salary of a registered representative.

The top three skills for a registered representative include financial services, financial products and securities. The most important skills for a finance advisor are team support, wealth management, and securities.

Registered representative vs finance advisor overview

Registered RepresentativeFinance Advisor
Yearly salary$54,074$64,993
Hourly rate$26.00$31.25
Growth rate10%15%
Number of jobs17,622106,311
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4345
Years of experience64

What does a registered representative do?

A registered representative's job involves researching market conditions, liaising with potential clients, implementing advertising campaigns, cultivating personal contacts, and creating investment plans. Their duties and responsibilities include soliciting business from potential clients and selling financial products and services to clients for investment purposes.

What does a finance advisor do?

A Financial Advisor specializes in sharing their expertise with an individual or company on how to handle and boost finances. The responsibilities of a Financial Advisor include creating and proposing a strategy to attain financial gains through profits and investments, educating the client about new methods and opportunities, monitor and evaluate progress, and as well as plan policies according to the clients' life changes. Furthermore, it is also the duty of the Financial Advisor to research new investments that would be of great help to the client's assets.

Registered representative vs finance advisor salary

Registered representatives and finance advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Registered RepresentativeFinance Advisor
Average salary$54,074$64,993
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $88,000Between $34,000 And $121,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyNew York Life InsuranceEnbridge
Best paying industryFinanceFinance

Differences between registered representative and finance advisor education

There are a few differences between a registered representative and a finance advisor in terms of educational background:

Registered RepresentativeFinance Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Registered representative vs finance advisor demographics

Here are the differences between registered representatives' and finance advisors' demographics:

Registered RepresentativeFinance Advisor
Average age4345
Gender ratioMale, 77.4% Female, 22.6%Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 10.3% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 8.3% White, 72.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1%
LGBT Percentage6%5%

Differences between registered representative and finance advisor duties and responsibilities

Registered representative example responsibilities.

  • Manage variable and fix immediate and defer annuities for wealth accumulation.
  • Develop knowledge of complex financial instruments and successfully communicate strategies for utilizing various securities in achieving client financial objectives.
  • Manage and strengthen customer relationships through cross-selling and up-selling to maximize retention and income generation by contacting existing and prospective customers.
  • Intern at the NYSE with the M/S floor trader.
  • Provide due diligence for IPO of small cap.
  • Assist companies with development and sale of initial public offering (IPO).
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Finance advisor example responsibilities.

  • Manage all budget and forecast submissions into Hyperion.
  • Manage $3MM private investment portfolio consisting of mid-cap/large-cap equities.
  • Structure and manage investment portfolios using a range of financial instruments, including equity securities and fix income instruments.
  • Manage and strengthen customer relationships through cross-selling and up-selling to maximize retention and income generation by contacting existing and prospective customers.
  • Research eligibility and status of all Medicare and Medicaid patients.
  • Perform portfolio analysis using MorningStar workstation and complete cost basis research project.
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Registered representative vs finance advisor skills

Common registered representative skills
  • Financial Services, 25%
  • Financial Products, 14%
  • Securities, 6%
  • Annuities, 4%
  • Long-Term Care, 4%
  • Health Insurance, 3%
Common finance advisor skills
  • Team Support, 7%
  • Wealth Management, 7%
  • Securities, 6%
  • Strong Computer, 6%
  • Financial Services, 6%
  • Client Facing, 5%