What Is an Entry Level Financial Planner and How to Become One

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What Does an Entry-Level Financial Planner Do?
As an entry-level financial planner, your duties are to assist your clients to plan and meet their financial goals. Your responsibilities are to understand their current financial situation and recommend particular investments or other opportunities that can provide short-term and long-term financial stability. In an entry-level position, you may also perform administrative, sales, and marketing work in addition to advising clients. Some financial planners work exclusively with individuals, while others may specialize in small business planning or other fields. Typically, as an entry-level financial planner, you get a chance to work in different areas in order to choose a career path.
How to Become an Entry-Level Financial Planner
To become an entry-level financial planner, you need to have several qualifications, including a bachelor’s degree and certification or licensure, which is sometimes mandatory. As an undergraduate, economics, math, accounting, and finance are all good courses to study. As an entry-level financial planner, you may not need to have certification or licensure to begin working with clients, but many companies expect you to pursue things like a CFP designation. If your job requires you to sell securities, you need to have a Series 7 license. Other skills you need include analytical thinking and interpersonal communication skills.