To Start – What is an RIA?
A Registered Investment Advisor, or RIA, offers financial planning for investors. Some RIAs may also manage their client’s investment portfolios. These advisors have a fiduciary obligation, in which the Securities Exchange Commission, or SEC, requires them to act in the best interest of their clients.
There are many rules and regulations that financial advisors have to follow. These regulations were founded in 1940 with the Investment Advisors Act. These rules apply to both businesses and individuals. To begin, RIAs must register with the SEC if they manage more than $100 million in assets. RIAs that manage less than $100 million in assets have to register with their state’s securities authorities.
Upon enrolling, certain information becomes public, such as:
- The RIA’s investment style,
- Compensation and paying fees
- Their assets under management (also known as AUM)
- Conflicts of interest (potential or current).
What Type of Financial Advice Are You Looking For?
You can narrow down your search by identifying the type of financial guidance you are looking for. Doing research in the beginning can save you lots of time and energy in the long run.
It is important to understand all the options that are available both in person and online. Not all financial advisors offer the same types of services, work with similar clients, or have similar investment strategies. In short, it’s important to research which option will work best for you.
Investment advisors will help you with a wide range of services. Some will guide you through your tax and insurance needs, while others will focus on retirement planning. Ensuring you pick the right type of Registered Investment Advisor for your needs is the first step for success.
Online platforms can be a great way to test many different RIA practices. It can help you figure out what structures, firms and individuals work best for you and your investments. Unfortunately, simply Googling “Registered Investment Advisor near me” may provide limited results. While this is a good start, it may delay the process overall.
What To Ask In Your Search
The first step for a successful search is to ask questions. This will ultimately eliminate a lot of headaches and stress. After all, the more energy you put into finding the right Registered Investment Advisor, the easier your mind can rest later on. Prioritize your successful search by asking some initial questions. It’s important to understand the who, what, when, where and why of your investments, so be sure to ask any potential RIAs some of the following questions.
- Who is your typical client?
- What services do you offer, and how much will it cost?
- How much communication will we have during the process?
The answers to each of these questions will help you define which advisors are right for you.
How To Find an RIA
The first method many people try is Googling “Registered Investment Advisor near me.” While this may be a great starting point, it will only help you gather the basics. It can save a lot of time and energy to use platforms where Registered Investment Advisors already verify and describe themselves and their practices.
Finding an RIA near you can be a daunting and time consuming task. However, there are some platforms that can make the search much easier on you. Some of these platforms will connect you to the closest RIA in your area.
Other platforms, such as Echo Trade, can provide wider access to top RIAs from all over the world. This platform, unlike many others, charges a small subscription fee every month.
While some platforms are able to provide RIAs closest to your area, it can be incredibly beneficial to access the online space as well. It is not only a great way to broaden your options, but also to see what others are investing in. Online platforms like Echo Trade can grant you access to top RIA strategies in a fraction of a second, revolutionizing the investing world.
How Much Will an RIA Cost You?
There are many different ways Registered Investment Advisors can structure their fees, and their methods largely depend on personal preference.
One of the most common ways RIAs charge is percentage of assets. Flat fee, or hourly rate, is less common but can be beneficial to investors with smaller amounts to manage.
Some of the other main forms of payments are as follows.
- Percentage of Assets: Registered Investment Advisors that function on management based fees collect a percentage annually of their client’s AUM. RIAs that are able to raise the value of their client’s portfolios receive a greater percentage than those who make no change. This fee structure incentivises the client and RIA at once.
- Performance: Some RIAs function on the performance of portfolios. However, there are often certain asset management qualifications the client must give to the RIA in order to receive this form of fee structure.
- Asset-class: Other Registered Investment Advisors may vary the annual percentage for management fees based on what asset class the client is in. Fluctuation in percentage largely depends on the type of security they manage.
There are many benefits of finding RIAs to aid in your investment practices. And, these benefits can often outweigh the costs immensely. However, it is important to understand the RIA’s cost structure and fees beforehand. Determine an agreement and stick to those terms.
Other Functions of RIAs
While RIAs typically aid in the investing world, there are other responsibilities they may have. Depending on their investing practices, they may additionally help in these main areas:
- Financial planning
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Wealth management
- Budgets
- Insurance
- Repaying debts.
Finding a single RIA that can assist you in many ways can be beneficial. However, clients often have greater satisfaction when they connect to a plethora of specialized RIAs. In addition, you are able to mimic the actions of the top investors when you use certain online platforms.
Echo Trade, for example, grants you access to Registered Investment Advisor portfolios that are normally reserved for high net worth clients. This platform not only connects you with RIAs that are renowned internationally, but also allows you to “echo” the actions of top RIAs in the industry. The advisors that were once very exclusive are now more accessible than ever for the middle class.
While some clients prefer to have a single RIA assist with multiple services, it can be beneficial for others to expand into online platforms like Echo Trade.
The RIA Barrier
Registered Investment Advisors, have long been reserved for the upper class. Those who gain access to this special pool, in turn, receive guidance on the ins and outs of investing. Not being able to afford such services, oftentimes the non high net worth are forced to learn investing practices on their own. Thus, the access barrier remains strong between the middle and upper class.
However, gaining access to Registered Investment Advisors, especially early on, can be a huge advantage. In a climate of rocky retirement plans, rising inflation and recovery from a global pandemic, it has become almost impossible to plan for the future. The once desired “American Dream” seems to be growing further out of reach for the middle class.
So how can the middle class achieve access to these exclusive RIAs without breaking the bank or having to become financially savvy on their own? It all starts with asking the right questions and finding the right sources.
While the traditional RIA functions on different fee structures, other platforms are subscription-based. Platforms like Echo Trade allow the everyday investor access to top RIAs across the world. Unlike other RIA practices, you remain in complete control of your assets during the whole process.
Beware of Scammers
Verification, references and recommendations; these tools are the keys to help you ensure that your RIA is not a scam.
When it comes to investing, it is important to feel secure in the RIAs you use. It is vital for investment success that the RIAs you choose verify themselves, and align with your personal investing preferences. A great way to get an idea is to ask people you trust for recommendations.
One of the most important steps in the process is to ensure you are on the same page as your RIA. Discuss with your preferred Registered Investment Advisor what their investment practices entail and what the process will look like. Once you have determined your ideals are aligned, you’re off to a great start!
The next step is to identify a good fit. According to certified financial advisor, Brett Anderson, a great first question to ask is whether, based on your situation, you would be a good fit to work with the RIA or the firm.
Honesty is the best policy when it comes to picking the right financial advisor for your investments. Be upfront with your preferences and ask them to be upfront about their fee structures and practices. Determine how much communication and interaction there will be during the process.
If you are unsure what RIA seems right for you, or want to explore RIAs at one time, online platforms that connect you to many top RIA strategies can give you a huge leg up in the investing process.
By signing up for subscription-based platforms, like Echo Trade, you can gain access to Registered Investment Advisors that you may never have been exposed to before. The advantages of online platforms like these are seemingly endless and are beginning to revolutionize the investing industry as a whole.
Conclusion
RIAs mainly help clients manage their portfolios and offer financial planning for investors. Finding the right Registered Investment Advisor for you can be time-consuming and daunting, but there are lots of resources you can use to make this process easier. Considering what platform will connect you to the maximum options and ensure your investment ideals are aligned with those of the RIA’s is the main goal for success during the process. The RIA barrier, which has long prioritized the upper class, is leaving the middle class to fend for themselves. However, platforms like Echo Trade are slowly chiseling away at the ceiling.
The main takeaways are:
- Determine what type of financial advice you are looking for
- Ask lots of questions to determine the right RIAs for you
- Look for recommendations from others
- Identify the fee structure your RIA uses
- Ensure your investment practices align
- Consider which platform will connect you to the most beneficial RIAs
FAQ’s
- What is the average fee for a registered investment advisor?
The cost of Registered Investment Advisors varies depending on the fee structure they use. While some function on an hourly rate, others receive payment based on how much they are managing.
- Is it worth paying for a registered investment advisor?
Depending on your financial goals, it can be beneficial for a Registered Investment Advisor to help you manage your assets. Weighing the pros and cons will help you determine what RIA is best for you.
- How do I find a registered investment advisor?
The first step is to ask for recommendations from others you trust. Consider what platforms will grant you the most access to the right RIAs for you. If you are unhappy with the RIAs practices, it’s never too late to try another.