What Do Financial Advisors Do?
Published: March 21st, 2025
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Managing wealth involves more than just investing—it requires careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a long-term vision. A financial advisor can help navigate the complexities of wealth management, from tax considerations to estate planning and retirement strategies.
Whether you’re preparing for a liquidity event, structuring your investments for long-term growth, or ensuring your family’s financial security, an advisor can provide guidance tailored to your needs.
In this blog, we’ll break down the role of financial advisors, when you might consider working with one, and how they can support your financial goals.
What Does a Financial Advisor Do?
A financial advisor provides personalized guidance to help manage and grow your wealth. Their role extends beyond investment management—they can help with:
- Retirement Planning: Structuring your assets to support your desired lifestyle.
- Tax Considerations: Identifying strategies to optimize your tax situation.
- Estate Planning: Ensuring your wealth is passed on according to your wishes.
- Risk Management: Protecting assets from unforeseen events.
- Major Life Transitions: Navigating liquidity events, business exits, or career changes.
Depending on your needs, a financial advisor can provide a comprehensive strategy that aligns with your long-term financial goals.
When to Work with a Financial Advisor
Many high earners and affluent individuals seek financial guidance at pivotal moments, such as:
Transitioning from a career to retirement requires careful financial planning. An advisor can help with:
- Structuring a withdrawal strategy for long-term sustainability.
- Determining the best time to claim Social Security benefits.
- Optimizing tax-efficient retirement income.
Market fluctuations can impact your portfolio and long-term goals. A financial advisor can:
- Help you maintain a disciplined investment strategy.
- Provide insights on asset allocation and risk management.
- Guide decision-making during uncertain times.
Selling a business, receiving an inheritance, or other financial windfalls require strategic planning. A financial advisor can:
- Assist in structuring investments for tax efficiency.
- Help allocate funds based on long-term financial goals.
- Coordinate estate and trust planning to preserve wealth.
From education planning to multigenerational wealth transfer, an advisor can:
- Help structure estate plans to reflect your legacy goals.
- Establish trusts or charitable giving strategies.
- Ensure financial security for future generations.
If you receive stock options or RSUs, a financial advisor can:
- Guide you on tax-efficient strategies for exercising or selling.
- Incorporate equity compensation into your broader wealth plan.
How a Financial Advisor Can Add Value
A financial advisor provides more than just advice—they offer perspective, structure, and strategic planning. Their role includes:
- Providing accountability – Keeping you focused on long-term goals.
- Offering behavioral guidance – Helping you make informed decisions during market shifts.
- Delivering customized strategies – Aligning your financial plan with your lifestyle and aspirations.
Whether you’re structuring your wealth for the future, optimizing investments, or preparing for a financial milestone, working with a financial advisor can help you make informed decisions at every stage.
Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.