Financial Advisor in St. Louis, Missouri. You work hard for your money, and you want to feel secure about how it's growing and how it's being used. Many St. Louis residents don't have the financial literacy to be confident they're making the best decisions with their money, while others simply don't have the time or interest to stay up to date on market trends along with new laws, regulations, and global events. That's when you need a trustworthy, experienced, and knowledgeable financial advisor in your corner. A Correct Capital financial advisor in St. Louis will make your money work for you. We utilize in-depth research and analytics along with our decades of experience to create personalized financial solutions for individuals, families, and businesses in St. Louis and beyond. Call us today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online to learn how Correct Capital can help you.
Not sure if you're ready to hire a financial advisor in St. Louis? Take a look at our process page to see how easy we make it to find out if you're a good fit.
A 2018 study by FINRA found that 53 percent of American adults are anxious about their finances. A source of that anxiety is often just not being sure they're putting their money in the right places. Once our St. Louis financial advisor team gets to know you, your finances and your financial goals, we'll create a road map to help you achieve them. As a fiduciary and an independent firm, every Correct Capital financial advisor is obligated to act in your best interest and we are not limited in the solutions we can offer you. Our financial advisors in St. Louis have certifications that can only be awarded through rigorous testing and by meeting stringent education requirements.
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Correct Capital Wealth Management's office is physically located in St. Louis, MO, but we serve clients throughout the United States in both personal financial planning and corporate retirement plans.
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What Is a Financial Advisor?
A financial advisor is a financial professional who helps individuals manage their money, budget, save, and plan for their financial future. This broad definition encompasses a wide range of services, from investment management and retirement planning to tax planning and estate planning. Financial advisors take a holistic view of your financial situation to recommend strategies that align with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. While technically anyone can themselves a financial advisor or financial planner, trustworthy and professional advisors will have accreditations from organizations such as FINRA and the CFP Board that denote their experience and education.
Types of Financial Advisors in St. Louis
There are several types of advisors that vary based on the services they offer, their compensation models, their professional expertise, and their legal obligations to clients:
- Investment Advisors or Portfolio Managers: These professionals provide advice on securities and manage investment portfolios. They're often associated with RIAs and are required to act in a fiduciary capacity, prioritizing their clients' interests above their own. Investment advisors are registered with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state regulators, depending on the size of the assets they manage.
- Broker-Dealers and Brokers: Broker-dealers buy and sell securities like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds on behalf of their clients or for their own accounts. They must register with the SEC and are typically members of FINRA. The financial products they can sell depend on their specific licenses, such as Series 6 or Series 7. For example, an individual who holds a Series 7 license represents general securities, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals (CFPs): Advisors holding the CFP designation have undergone extensive training and adhere to high ethical standards, including a fiduciary duty to their clients. CFPs offer a broad range of financial planning services, from debt management to retirement planning.
- Financial Consultants: This term can apply broadly, but chartered financial consultants (ChFCs) have completed education similar to CFPs and also adhere to a fiduciary duty.
- Financial Coaches: Focus on improving clients' financial literacy, helping with basics such as saving money and budgeting. They are suited for clients who might not have the wealth to hire a financial advisor yet.
- Wealth Managers: Cater to high-net-worth individuals, offering comprehensive services that include estate planning, tax help, and investment management. They work closely with their clients to manage complex financial situations and wealth preservation strategies.
Each type of financial advisor brings unique expertise and services to the table. At Correct Capital, our team of advisors includes CFPs and other qualified professionals who embody the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility and personalized service, ensuring that we act solely in the best interest of our clients across all our engagements.
What Does a Financial Advisor in St. Louis Do?
A financial advisor will analyze your current financial situation, identify ways to improve it, and help you meet your long-term financial goals. Many St. Louis residents often immediately think of investing when they think of wealth management services and financial advisors. While that is a core component of any financial plan, a qualified financial advisor will be able to offer you comprehensive financial advice that takes into account the entirety of your finances. Below are some of the services your Correct Capital financial advisor in St. Louis will implement in order to help you reach your goals.
- Financial Planning
Our finances are involved in almost anything we do, from making sure we're set up in retirement, to education, real estate transactions, picking insurance policies, and putting food on the table each night. The best financial advisors in St. Louis offer holistic services and bespoke guidance by taking into account your entire financial situation.
- Tax Planning
Taxes are involved in virtually every financial transaction and transfer. According to the IRS's own data, over 70 percent of Americans overpay in taxes each year. The United States tax code is notoriously complex, yet it allows for perfectly legal ways to reduce your tax liability. A professional and trustworthy St. Louis financial advisor will help you navigate your tax implications in the interest of keeping more money in your pocket.
- Portfolio Management and Asset Management
Your financial portfolio is the collection of your financial assets. They can include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, cash equivalents, or alternative assets such as real estate. A financial advisor in St. Louis will help allocate and diversify your assets in order to mitigate risk and best position your money for growth.
- Retirement Planning
Depending on where you currently are in life and your desired lifestyle when you retire, your St. Louis financial advisor will help with tax implications, considering the best age to retire, when to withdraw money and how much to withdraw. A financial advisor will help you formulate a budget and plan for where your income will come from in retirement so you can spend your golden years exactly the way you want to.
- 401(k) Services
We offer 401(k) services to individuals and families as well as St. Louis businesses and business owners. Implementing a 401(k) plan is a great way to retain your best employees and keep them productive and happy. Our retirement consultants represent over $218 million in plan assets and thousands of plan participants nationwide. Our St. Louis financial advisor team offers comprehensive 401(k) planning for companies as well as individualized benefits for their employees.
- 401(k) Rollover
When moving to a new job, it can be difficult to know the best way to manage the money you've already saved in a previous St. Louis employer's 401(k) plan. You have several options, including keeping the money in the account it is currently in, moving it to a new 401(k), or putting the money in one of a variety of IRA accounts. A financial advisor will know how to best approach managing your 401(k) funds.
- Generational Wealth Transfers
You work hard for your money, and it's natural to want to leave a legacy and leave some wealth behind for the people you care about the most. Wealth transfers are different than simply leaving gifts behind in estate planning. A financial advisor in St. Louis can best position your money for not only your children but for generations to come, even ones you haven't met yet.
- Fiduciary Advising
It's important to choose a financial advisor who has accreditations and certifications from regulatory bodies such as the CFP Board, Fi360, InFRE, and FINRA. As fiduciary advisors and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, your St. Louis financial advisor at Correct Capital is bound by a "Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct" to:
- Act with honesty, integrity, competence, and diligence.
- Act in the client's best interest.
- Exercise due care.
- Avoid conflicts of interest, disclose them when they arise, and manage them in the client's best interest.
- Maintain confidentiality and protect the privacy of client information.
- Act in a manner that reflects positively on the financial planning profession and CFP® certification.
- Debt Management
Financial advisors offer personalized debt management plans that focus on consolidating debt, achieving lower interest rates where possible, and prioritizing repayments. The goal is to create a manageable path forward that aligns with your financial capabilities and goals, ultimately leading to financial freedom and stability.
- Budgeting
Creating and sticking to a budget is fundamental to achieving financial health and goals. Financial advisors in St. Louis can help clients understand their cash flow, identify areas for savings, and set realistic spending limits that promote wealth accumulation. By providing tools and strategies for effective budgeting, advisors ensure that clients can meet their current financial obligations while also saving for future goals.
When you hire a financial advisor in St. Louis at Correct Capital, we start by getting to know you and your goals. We will evaluate your current income, assets, investments, debts, and expenses. Then, we'll work with you to ascertain your preferred risk tolerance and how we can best help you grow your wealth. As an independent advisory firm, our only obligation is to act in your best interest. There is no limitation to the services, products, and investment opportunities our financial advisor team can offer you, and we will never try to sell you on something we do not believe in ourselves.
When Should I Hire a Financial Advisor in St. Louis?
Seeking the guidance of a financial advisor can be a critical step towards achieving financial well-being, peace of mind, and wealth. While the right time can vary widely from person to person, certain life events and circumstances often signal the need for professional financial advice.
- Major Life Transitions: Life is a series of transitions, and many of them have significant financial implications. Whether you're starting a family, buying a home, changing careers, or facing retirement, these milestones can dramatically affect your financial landscape. A financial advisor can help you navigate these changes, ensuring that your financial plan evolves to meet your new circumstances and goals.
- Lack of Experience, Time, Knowledge, or Desire to Manage Your Finances Alone: Managing personal finances can be complex, time-consuming, and frankly, overwhelming for many. If you lack the experience or knowledge to confidently handle your investments, or simply prefer to focus your time elsewhere, a financial advisor can be invaluable. They bring expertise and insight to your financial decisions, helping to optimize your portfolio, avoid costly mistakes, and set up your investments for long-term growth.
- Nearing Retirement: Retirement planning is one of the most common reasons individuals seek out financial advice. An advisor can help you assess your current financial situation, estimate your retirement needs, and devise a plan to ensure you can enjoy your retirement years comfortably. This includes strategies for Social Security benefits, pension management, and withdrawal plans from retirement accounts.
- Complex Financial Products: The financial market offers a myriad of investment options, many of which come with their own set of complexities. If you're considering investments in complex financial products—such as derivatives, alternative investments, or tax-optimized strategies—an advisor's expertise can be crucial. They can help you understand the risks and benefits, ensuring that any investment aligns with your overall financial strategy and goals.
Financial advisors like those at Correct Capital are equipped to guide you through these scenarios and more. With a focus on personalized service and a commitment to acting in your best interest, a financial advisor can be a key partner in your financial journey. Whether you're facing a major life change, planning for retirement, or simply seeking to optimize your financial strategy, the right time to consult a financial advisor might just be now.
Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Before Hiring Them
Trust is paramount when you're hiring someone for any service, but especially so when it involves your hard-earned money. In addition to finding a trustworthy advisor, you need one who best meets your needs. It's important to ask the right questions during your initial meetings. Here are key questions to consider:
- What is your experience in the financial advisory field?
Understanding an advisor's experience, including their years in the industry, the types of clients they've worked with, and their areas of expertise, can give you a sense of their proficiency and whether they're equipped to handle your financial situation.
- What are your qualifications and certifications?
Ask about any certifications (e.g., CFP®, CFA, ChFC) the advisor holds. These credentials often require meeting rigorous education, experience, and ethical standards, indicating a high level of professionalism and expertise.
- Can you describe your investment philosophy?
An advisor's investment philosophy should align with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Whether they favor a conservative approach with a focus on long-term growth or a more aggressive strategy, their philosophy should resonate with your goals and expectations.
- How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
Communication style and frequency are vital to a successful client-advisor relationship. Discuss how often you'll have meetings, whether they'll be in person or virtual, and how the advisor plans to keep you informed about your investments and financial plan.
- How are you compensated for your services?
Advisors can be fee-only, fee-based, or commission-based. Understanding how an advisor is compensated will help you identify potential conflicts of interest and ensure that their recommendations are made with your best interests in mind.
- Do you have a fiduciary duty to your clients?
Confirming that an advisor acts as a fiduciary is crucial. This means they are legally obligated to put your interests ahead of their own, providing advice that best serves your financial goals and needs.
- What services do you offer beyond investment management?
Many advisors provide comprehensive financial planning services, including retirement planning, tax strategies, estate planning, and more. Additionally, some financial advisory firms offer more in the way of client education and portfolio reviews. Understanding the full scope of services offered can help you gauge whether the advisor can meet all your financial needs.
- How do you handle conflicts of interest?
An honest advisor will openly discuss potential conflicts of interest and how they manage them to ensure they don't adversely affect their clients' financial plans. Fiduciary advisors must disclose conflicts of interest, and must manage them in their client's best interest.
Asking these questions will not only provide you with essential information about the financial advisor's qualifications and approach but also help you gauge whether there is a good personal fit. Remember, a strong relationship with your financial advisor is built on transparency, trust, and mutual understanding.
You can find many of these questions answered on our FAQ page.
How Much Does a Financial Advisor Cost?
In general, there are three common ways for financial advisors to be compensated:
- Commission-Based: Commission-based advisors earn their income through commissions on the products they sell, such as mutual funds, insurance policies, and other financial products. This fee structure can create a potential conflict of interest, as the advisor might be incentivized to recommend products that generate higher commissions rather than those that best meet your needs. Commission-based advisors are typically held to the suitability standard as opposed to the fiduciary standard, which means they have to recommend products that can help you achieve your goals, but not necessarily the ones best suited to your needs.
- Fee-Only: Fee-only advisors are compensated directly by their clients for the advice and services they provide and do not receive any commissions from product sales. This compensation can take several forms, including hourly rates, fixed fees, or a percentage of the assets under management (AUM). This model is often seen as more transparent and aligned with the client's best interests, as it minimizes conflicts of interest related to product sales.
- Fee-Based: Fee-based advisors use a combination of fees paid by the client and commissions from selling financial products. While this model offers a blend of the fee-only and commission-based structures, fee-based advisors typically also have a fiduciary duty, which means that even if they get commission from certain products, they must disclose that information to the client and cannot recommend those products unless they sincerely believe they are in the client's best interests.
Correct Capital's Financial Advisory Services in St. Louis
Correct Capital stands out in the St. Louis financial advisory landscape for its bespoke approach to wealth management and financial planning. Recognizing that not all clients have the same starting point or same goals, we offer three different service models to our clients in St. Louis:
One-Time Financial Plan (best for validators)
This service model is best for those who are looking for the insights and advice a financial advisor can offer without the ongoing management. This service is great for individuals who are generally confident in managing their finances but desire professional validation to ensure they're on the right track. Our team conducts a thorough review of your financial landscape, providing you with a detailed plan that addresses your specific goals, concerns, and opportunities for growth.
Subscription (best for collaborators)
Our subscription service caters to individuals who appreciate ongoing guidance and advice as their financial situation evolves, or when they have specific questions about taxes, investments, or other aspects of their finances. This model offers monthly insights from our financial advisors, quarterly meetings, and availability on an as-needed basis. While we won't manage your investments for you, we'll work to look for opportunities to help you save and grow your wealth.
Wealth Management (best for delegators)
Our wealth management service model is for clients who prefer to delegate the management of their investments and financial planning to experts. This includes active portfolio management, strategic financial planning, and proactive advice on a wide range of financial matters — from tax strategies and retirement planning to estate considerations and beyond. Our wealth management clients enjoy peace of mind, knowing that every aspect of their financial well-being is being overseen by a dedicated team of professionals committed to maximizing their wealth and achieving their long-term goals.
Why Choose Correct Capital as Your St. Louis Financial Advisor?
Correct Capital is a premier choice for individuals and families in St. Louis seeking trusted, professional financial guidance. Here's why choosing Correct Capital can make a significant difference in your financial journey:
- We're Fiduciary Advisors: As fiduciaries, Correct Capital is legally obligated to put your interests first. This commitment ensures that every piece of advice, every investment recommendation, and every strategic decision we make on your behalf is done with your best interests in mind.
- Our I.O.U. Promise: All the advice we offer is independent, objective, and unbiased. Our independence means we are not tied to any financial institution or product, allowing us the freedom to select the best investments and strategies for you.
- Our Qualifications: We are a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), which allows us access to a wide variety of investment solutions and research. Our advisor team includes two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), an Enrolled Agent, and a CPA, and our retirement consultants and financial portfolio managers with over 100 years in combined experience.
- We Are Proactive: Our advisors believe that the most valuable way to create long-term financial security is to anticipate trends and lead, rather than follow. We leverage the latest data and software to analyze trends and prepare the most appropriate strategy for your needs.
- Ongoing Education and Resources: Correct Capital offers quarterly webinars and workshops to keep you informed and engaged with your financial health. Our commitment to client education ensures that you are well-equipped to make informed decisions alongside your advisor.
Choosing Correct Capital as your financial advisor in St. Louis means partnering with a team dedicated to your financial success. Our expertise, fiduciary commitment, and personalized approach to financial planning and investment management make us the ideal partner for individuals and families seeking to achieve their financial goals and secure their future.
Call Correct Capital's St. Louis Financial Advisor Team Today
Your money and the decisions you make with it are personal. At Correct Capital, we believe the relationship between an individual, family, or business owner in St. Louis and their financial advisor is based on trust. We have dedicated our lives to helping our clients reach their personal and financial goals, whether that be sending your children to college or finally getting to buy that dream car in your retirement years. Call our St. Louis financial advisor team today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online to take the first step in growing your wealth the way you want to.
