Registered Investment Adviser

A Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) is an investment adviser (IA) registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or a state's securities agency. The numerous references to RIAs within the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 popularized the term, which is closely associated with the term investment advisor (spelled "investment adviser" in U.S. financial law). An IA is defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission as an individual or a firm that is in the business of giving advice about securities.

Individuals or firms that receive compensation for giving advice on investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange traded funds are deemed to be investment advisers. It is also common for investment advisers to manage portfolios of securities. RIAs generally are paid in any of the following ways: a percentage of the value of the assets they manage for clients, an hourly fee, fixed fee, a commission on the securities they sell (if the adviser is also a broker-dealer).

Financial adviser

A financial adviser (or advisor) is a professional who renders financial services to clients. According to the U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), terms such as financial adviser and financial planner are general terms or job titles used by investment professionals. FINRA describes the main groups of investment professionals who may use the term financial advisor to be: brokers, investment advisers, accountants, lawyers, insurance agents and financial planners.Additionally, it's key for financial advisors to understand how increasingly important investors are to the continued success of their firms.

Role

Financial advisors typically provide clients/customers with financial products and services, depending on the licenses they hold and the training they have had. For example, an insurance agent may be qualified to sell both life insurance and variable annuities. A broker may also be a financial planner. A financial advisor may create financial plans for clients or sell financial products, or a combination of both.

Investment Advisor (magazine)

Investment Advisor magazine is a U.S. based monthly business-to-business publication reaching independent financial advisors, registered investment advisors as well as insurance based broker-dealers. It was first published in 1980 and focuses on news, information, and analysis written for investment advisors; topics include wealth management, alternative investments, retirement planning, technology, and practice management. It was previously edited by John Sullivan, but was taken over by Group Editor-In-Chief James Green in November 2013. The publisher is Matt Weiner.

Circulation

Circulation for Investment Advisor, audited by the BPA 6/10 110,000

See also

References