We surveyed 4,150 financial advisors to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical financial advisor. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as a financial advisor?

Low

High

Working as a financial advisor typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.

Can I learn to become a financial advisor?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as a financial advisor typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as a financial advisor?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as a financial advisor. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for financial advisors.

Info

Do financial advisors work full-time or part-time?

90% of financial advisors work in full-time roles while 10% work part-time.

Is being a financial advisor stressful?

Low

High

Stress is very commonplace for financial advisors, contributing negatively towards career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as a financial advisor?

Low

High

Organization is considered a very important trait for financial advisors, and is critical to success in the field.

How competitive is the workplace for financial advisors?

Low

High

Financial advisors tend to see lots of competition in the workplace, with desire to get ahead of co-workers being common.

Does being a financial advisor require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Financial advisors will have to sometimes face time pressure on the job.

Are financial advisors allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Financial advisors rarely get a chance to express themselves creatively.

Do financial advisors have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally financial advisors will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.

Is being a financial advisor physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as a financial advisors is rarely physically demanding, making it a suitable option for those unable to perform physically strenuous tasks.

Are financial advisors exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

Financial advisors tend to have a monotonous work routine, with little variety in their day-to-day tasks.

Does being a financial advisor require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail is a vital skill for financial advisors, as small mistakes can make or break one's ability to succeed in the career.

Does being a good financial advisor require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as financial advisors.