SEC Advisor Search – Finding an investment advisor you can trust. (2025)

FAQs

How to check if a financial advisor is registered with the SEC? ›

To Search for a Licensed Investment Advisor:

You can use FINRA's BrokerCheck database to research the background and experience of financial brokers, advisers and firms. You also can check if an investment adviser is registered with the SEC.

An advisor who believes in having a long-term relationship with you—and not merely a series of commission-generating transactions—can be considered trustworthy. Ask for referrals and then run a background check on the advisors that you narrow down such as from FINRA's free BrokerCheck service.

The bottom-line question for your financial advisor is incredibly simple: “Are you a fiduciary?” If so, they should say so in writing and adhere to a code of ethics and “prudent care.” Don't wait for the DOL rule to go into effect.

Registering as an investment advisor with the SEC is a multi-step process with ongoing annual registration requirements. Keep in mind that in most cases, it's the advisory firm itself that must register with the SEC, not the individual people who work with clients on behalf of the firm.

Check if an investment professional or company is licensed or registered. Many investment scams start with unlicensed people or unregistered firms. Check out the background, including registration or license status, of anyone recommending or selling an investment using the free simple search tool on Investor.gov.

1 – Ask them directly: A genuine fiduciary will straightforwardly affirm their role and commitment to act in your best interests. 2 – Review the advisor's credentials: Certifications such as CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) or AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) often indicate a fiduciary standard.

It's important to reveal “personal issues, no matter how potentially embarrassing, if they concern money,” says John Stoj, a financial advisor at Verbatim Financial in Atlanta.

Whereas financial planners focus on retirement planning, estate planning and more, investment advisors are focused on helping you invest. Whether you're investing in mutual funds or looking to transform your wealth with a financial plan, you may want to consider working with a financial advisor.

At what net worth should I get a financial advisor? ›

Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.

Regardless of whether they work for a bank or a financial planning firm, your financial advisor cannot access your account without your permission.

If your client regularly gives you an advantage in future opportunities because you have early information, prior knowledge, and rarely face external competition or pricing pressure, they consider you a valuable part of their success.

A financial advisor is worth paying for if they provide help you need, whether because you don't have the time or financial acumen or you simply don't want to deal with your finances. An advisor may be especially valuable if you have complicated finances that would benefit from professional help.

For information regarding broker-dealers, broker-dealer agents and investment advisers call the Department's Consumer Services Office at (866) 275-2677. Check the background of your broker or investment professional by using Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) BrokerCheck.

A Basic search can be performed using an entity name or entity number. When conducting a search by an entity number, where applicable, remove "C" from the entity number.

The FCA is the regulator of Financial Advisers and their website is the number one place to go to check out your Adviser.

Registered investment advisors (RIAs) must register with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators, depending on the amount of assets under management, and adhere to regulatory requirements including filing Form ADV, maintaining accurate records and upholding fiduciary standards ...