Professional development

Amy Drinkard of Steadmont Advisors advises clients through divorce and deaths, guiding them through some of the hardest parts of their lives — the latest in our Know Your Niche series.

What began as Transition to RIA founder Brad Wales' informal collection of large firms' division names and account types could turn into a collaborative industry glossary.

Keep your general knowledge skills sharp while earning an hour of CE credit toward maintaining industry certification by taking Financial Planning's latest continuing education quiz.

Graduate students at the University of Texas at Austin are using advanced analytics and AI to examine Wealthtender's client reviews — and create a new data metric for the industry.

The growth of CFP Board-registered programs, from certificates to doctoral programs, reflects the industry's shift away from commission-based models.

Lisa Golia, now chief operating officer of the firm's U.S. wealth business, will be in charge of hiring, retaining and paying advisors.

Advisors are only human, and mistakes are bound to happen. But missteps, for all the pain they can cause, can also help an advisor — and their practice — grow stronger.

Wescott and Moneta Group present helpful examples of paths for financial advisors and other employees that experts say are essential for growth.

From the Bible to best-selling books, the NBA player turned business owner credited his success in part to his voracious reading habit.

The positive association between the largest certification in the planning profession and key client outcomes is adding to a growing field of research on the value of advice.

Wealthy parents fear their kids will squander their inheritances. Financial planner Mary Clements Evans solved for that while cementing her firm's future.

Nick Francia of UBS, Matthew Gallo of Merrill and Ryan Bass of Raymond James all once felt their youth to be a perceived liability. Now, in an industry with an imminent retirement wave, they see it as an asset.

The industry often struggles to help prospective professionals find their place, a challenge experts say is a crucial competitive priority for the future.

Nearly two-thirds of advisors surveyed this month said that internal training programs or workshops were offered by their firms.

Financial advisor Drew Boyer turned an accidental acceptance from a fire chief into a successful niche serving firefighters and police officers.

The language that financial advisors use in their first interactions with prospective customers could make or break the relationship, according to an expert.

In the coming weeks, the CFP Board will launch a working group to reconsider whether a bachelor's degree should remain a requirement for CFP certification.

As valuations continue to rise across the industry, more firms are using compensation to invest in their top talent and future growth, Succession Resource Group says.

Advisors can maintain professional certifications while keeping up to date on important issues in tax planning, compliance and more.

Looking for a new challenge, Mark Seither found the complexities of pilot compensation and tax planning to be a niche that energizes him.