Financial Advisor in Columbus, GA. You work hard for your money, and you want to feel secure about how it's growing and how it's being used. A lot of Columbus residents do not have the financial literacy to feel confident they're making the best decisions with their money, while others simply don't have the time or interest to stay informed on financial markets along with new laws, regulations, and global events. That's when you should consider hiring a dependable, experienced, and knowledgeable financial advisor. A Correct Capital financial advisor in Columbus, GA will help your finances grow. We employ in-depth analytics along with our decades of experience to create personalized financial solutions for individuals, families, and businesses in Columbus, GA and beyond. Reach out to 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 work with a financial advisor in Columbus, GA? Check out our process page to find out how simple we make it to find out if you're a good fit.
A 2018 study by FINRA revealed that 53 percent of American adults are nervous about their finances. The cause of that anxiety is frequently just not being sure they're managing their money correctly. After our Columbus, GA financial advisor team gets to know you, your present financial situation and your financial aims, we'll design a road map to help you achieve them. As a fiduciary and an independent firm, every Correct Capital financial advisor is required to act in your best interest and we are not limited in the solutions we can offer you. Our financial advisors in Columbus, GA have certifications that can only be gained through rigorous testing and by meeting stringent education requirements.
What Is a Financial Advisor?
A financial advisor is a specialist who provides advice on managing personal finances and investments. This broad definition covers a variety of services, from portfolio management and retirement planning to tax planning and estate planning. The primary goal of a financial advisor is to help individuals and organizations reach their financial objectives by creating strategies that align with their risk tolerance, financial situation, and long-term goals. While technically anyone can call themselves a financial advisor or financial planner, credible 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 Columbus, GA
Financial advisors come in various forms, each with different areas of expertise, compensation models, and types of services offered:
- Investment Advisors or Portfolio Managers: These professionals provide advice on securities and oversee investment portfolios. They often work in RIAs and are required to act in a fiduciary capacity, putting their clients' interests above their own. Portfolio managers are certified with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state regulators, based on the amount of investments they manage.
- Broker-Dealers and Brokers: Broker-dealers trade securities like stocks, bonds, and mutual funds on behalf of their clients or for themselves. They must be registered by the SEC and are generally members of FINRA. The financial products they can sell depend on their specific licenses, such as Series 6 or Series 7. For example, someone who holds a Series 7 license is qualified to sell general securities, including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals (CFPs): Professionals with the CFP certification have undergone extensive education and adhere to the highest ethical standards, particularly a fiduciary duty to their clients. CFPs offer a broad range of financial planning services, such as debt management to retirement planning, and tax optimization strategies. Their methodology is comprehensive, designed to satisfy all aspects of a client's financial life.
- Financial Consultants: This term can be widely applied, but chartered financial consultants (ChFCs) have completed education similar to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals and are also required to hold their clients' interests above their own. Like CFPs, ChFCs focus on offering holistic financial advice, encompassing areas such as investment management to tax advice, ensuring that customers' financial goals are met with the highest ethical standards.
- Financial Coaches: Focus on enhancing clients' financial literacy, assisting with fundamentals such as saving money and creating budgets. They are suited for clients who might not have the financial resources to hire a financial advisor just yet. Financial coaching provides a strong basis for handling personal finances efficiently, especially for those just starting out.
- Wealth Managers: Help high-net-worth individuals, offering extensive services that include estate planning, tax help, and investment management. They collaborate intimately with their clients to handle complex financial situations and formulate wealth preservation strategies. Their expertise is geared towards maximizing the financial health and legacy of wealthy individuals, guaranteeing that every financial decision is aligned with tailored advice and approaches.
Each type of financial advisor offers unique expertise and services to the table. At Correct Capital, our team of advisors includes CFPs and other qualified professionals who uphold the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility and personalized service, ensuring that we act only in the best interest of our clients across all our engagements.
What Does a Financial Advisor Do?
A financial advisor will look over your present financial situation, pinpoint means to improve it, and help you meet your future financial goals. Many Columbus, GA residents typically immediately think of investing when they hear wealth management services and financial advisors. While that is a principal component of any financial plan, a professional financial advisor will be able to offer you comprehensive financial advice that takes into account the whole of your finances. The following are some of the services your Correct Capital financial advisor in Columbus, GA will use to help you achieve your goals.
- Financial Planning
Our finances are involved in almost anything we do, from making sure we're prepared for retirement, to paying for college, real estate transactions, picking insurance policies, and putting food on the table each night. The best financial advisors in Columbus, GA offer holistic services and tailored guidance by evaluating your entire financial situation.
- Tax Planning
Tax considerations play a role in nearly every financial transaction and transfer. According to the IRS's own data, more than 7 out of 10 of Americans pay more than necessary in taxes every year. The United States tax code is notoriously complex, yet it offers perfectly legal means to reduce your tax liability. A professional and trustworthy Columbus, GA financial advisor will help you navigate your tax implications to ensure keeping more money in your hands than in the government's.
- Portfolio Management and Asset Management
Your financial portfolio is the aggregation of your financial assets. They can include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cash equivalents, or other investments such as art. A financial advisor in Columbus, GA will assist to allocate and diversify your assets in order to mitigate risk and best position your money for long-term success.
- Retirement Planning
Depending on where you stand in life and the kind of life you want to live when you hang up your cape, your Columbus, GA financial advisor will assist with tax planning, evaluating the best age to retire, when to withdraw money and how much to take out. A financial advisor will aid in creating a budget and strategy for source of income 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 Columbus, GA businesses and business owners. Implementing a 401(k) plan is a fantastic way to keep 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 Columbus, GA financial advisor team offers thorough 401(k) planning for companies as well as customized benefits for their employees.
- 401(k) Rollover
When starting a new job, it can be difficult to know the best way to deal with the money you've accumulated in a previous Columbus, GA employer's 401(k) plan. You have multiple 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 have the knowledge how to best manage handling your 401(k) funds.
- Generational Wealth Transfers
You strive for your money, and it's natural to wish to leave a legacy and leave some wealth behind the people you care about the dearly. Wealth transfers are distinct from simply leaving gifts behind in estate planning. A financial advisor in Columbus, GA can strategically plan your money for both your children but for generations to come, even ones you haven't met yet.
- Fiduciary Advising
Anyone can give themselves the title of "financial advisor," so it's paramount to pick one who has accreditations and certifications from regulatory authorities such as the CFP Board, Fi360, InFRE, and FINRA. As fiduciary advisors and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™™ professionals, your Columbus, GA 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 tailored debt management plans that focus on consolidating debt, securing lower interest rates if feasible, and prioritizing repayments. The goal is to create a practical path forward that suits your financial situation and goals, eventually leading to stability.
- Budgeting
Creating and staying compliant with a budget is essential to having the financial health and life you want. Financial advisors in Columbus, GA can assist clients grasp how much money's coming in, spot areas to spend less, and set realistic spending limits that encourage wealth accumulation. By providing tools and strategies for efficient budgeting, advisors make sure that clients can fulfill their current financial obligations while also preparing for future goals.
When you hire a Columbus, GA financial advisor at Correct Capital, we start by getting to know you and your objectives. We will analyze your current income, assets, investments, debts, and expenses. Once we've done that, we'll work in concert with you to determine your preferred risk tolerance and how we can best help you realize your goals. As an independent advisory firm, our only responsibility is to act in your best interest. There is no limit to the services, products, and investment opportunities our financial advisor team can propose, and we will never try to sell you on something we do not believe in ourselves.
When Should I Speak to a Financial Advisor in Columbus, GA?
Seeking the guidance of a financial advisor can be a vital step towards achieving financial health, peace of mind, and wealth. While the right time can differ greatly from person to person, certain life events and circumstances often indicate the need for professional financial advice.
- Major Life Transitions: Life is a long line of changes, and many of them have major financial implications. Whether you're buying a home or facing retirement, these milestones can profoundly affect your financial landscape. A financial advisor can assist you manage these changes, ensuring that your financial plan adapts to meet your evolving circumstances and goals.
- Lack of Experience, Time, Knowledge, or Desire to Manage Your Finances By Yourself: Managing personal finances can be complicated, time-consuming, and, frankly, daunting for many. If you don't have the knowledge to effectively handle your investments, or simply choose to focus your energy on other pursuits, a financial advisor can be invaluable. They bring expertise and perspective to your financial decisions, helping to enhance your portfolio, avoid costly mistakes, and set up your investments for sustainable growth.
- Getting Close to Retirement: Retirement planning is one of the most common reasons individuals seek out financial advice. An advisor can assist you review your current financial situation, determine your retirement needs, and devise a plan to ensure you can experience your retirement years with peace of mind. This includes strategies for Social Security benefits, pension management, and distribution strategies from retirement accounts.
- Complex Financial Products: The financial market offers a wide array of investment options, many of which come with their own challenges. If you're considering investments in complex financial products—such as derivatives, alternative investments, or tax-optimized strategies—an advisor's knowledge can be essential. They can assist you comprehend the risks and benefits, ensuring that any investment aligns with your overall financial strategy and goals.
Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor Before Hiring Them
Trust is essential when you're hiring someone for any service, but particularly so when it involves your hard-earned money. Beyond just finding a dependable advisor, you need one who perfectly matches 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 time spent in the industry, the types of clients they've assisted, and their expert areas, can offer you a sense of their skills and whether they're well-suited to tackle your specific financial circumstances.
- What are your qualifications and certifications?
Ask them to mention any qualifications (e.g., CFP®, CFA, ChFC) the advisor has earned. These accreditations often require adhering to rigorous education, experience, and ethical standards, indicating a high level of competence and expertise.
- What is your investment philosophy?
An advisor's investment philosophy should match your risk tolerance and financial goals. Whether they favor a conservative approach with a focus on long-term growth or a more dynamic strategy, their philosophy should resonate with your expectations and expectations.
- How do you usually communicate with clients?
Communication method and frequency are vital to a successful client-advisor relationship. Inquire about how often you'll have meetings, whether they'll be in person or virtual, and how the advisor intends to keep you informed about your investments and financial plan.
- How are you compensated for your services?
Advisors can be fee-only, commission-based, or a combination thereof. Grasping how an advisor is compensated will assist you in identifying potential conflicts of interest and make certain that their advice is given with your best interests in mind.
- Are you a fiduciary financial advisor?
Confirming that an advisor acts as a fiduciary is essential. This means they are legally required to put your interests ahead of their own, giving advice that best serves your financial goals and needs.
- What services do you offer beyond investment management?
Many advisors provide holistic 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. Knowing 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 transparently share potential conflicts of interest and how they deal with 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 offer essential information about the financial advisor's qualifications and approach but also assist you in determining 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 Columbus, GA?
In general, there are three common ways for financial advisors to be compensated:
- Commission-Based: Commission-based advisors make their earnings through commissions on the products they sell, such as insurance policies. This fee structure can lead to a possible conflict, as the advisor could be motivated to suggest products that generate higher commissions rather than those that best meet your needs. These advisors are typically held to the suitability standard as opposed to the fiduciary standard, which means they have to recommend products that can aid in achieving your goals, but not necessarily the ones best suited to your needs.
- Fee-Only: Advisors on a fee-only basis are compensated straightforwardly by clients for the guidance and assistance they provide and do not receive any commissions from product sales. This compensation can take various shapes, including a percentage of the assets under management (AUM). This model is often seen as more clear 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 generally 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 are not allowed to recommend those products unless they sincerely believe they are in the client's best interests.
Correct Capital's Financial Advisory Services in Columbus, GA
Correct Capital stands out in the Columbus, GA financial advisory landscape for its bespoke approach to wealth management and financial planning. Recognizing that not all clients have the same starting point or identical goals, we offer three different service models to our clients in Columbus, GA:
One-Time Financial Plan (best for validators)
This service model is ideal for those who are seeking 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 seek professional insight to confirm they're setting their money up for success in the best way. Our team conducts a thorough review of your current financial situation, providing you with a detailed plan that addresses your specific goals, concerns, and growth opportunities.
Subscription (best for collaborators)
Our subscription service is designed for individuals who value ongoing guidance and advice as their financial situation evolves, or when they have specific questions about something related to their finances. This model offers monthly insights from our financial advisors, quarterly meetings, and open availability if the need ever arises. While we will not manage your investments for you, we'll strive to look for opportunities to help you grow and save 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 professionals. This includes active investment management, strategic financial planning, and forward-looking guidance on a wide range of financial matters — from tax strategies and preparing for retirement to estate planning and beyond. Our wealth management clients enjoy peace of mind, knowing that every aspect of their financial well-being is being carefully managed by a dedicated team of professionals committed to maximizing their wealth and realizing their financial goals.
Why Choose Correct Capital as Your Columbus, GA Financial Advisor?
Correct Capital is a leading choice for individuals and families in Columbus, GA looking for trusted, professional financial guidance. Here's why choosing Correct Capital can make a profound difference in your financial journey:
- We're Fiduciary Advisors: As fiduciaries, Correct Capital are legally obligated to put your interests first. This commitment guarantees that each piece of advice, each investment recommendation, and each strategic move we make on your behalf is done in a way that aligns most closely with your goals.
- Our I.O.U. Promise: All the advice we offer is independent, objective, and unbiased. Being independent means we aren't tied to any specific financial institution or product, allowing us the freedom to choose the best investments and strategies for you.
- Our Qualifications: We are a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), which gives us the ability access to a wide variety of investment solutions and research. Our advisor team includes a couple of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), an Enrolled Agent, and a CPA. Additionally, our retirement consultants and financial portfolio managers have over 100 years of combined experience.
- We Are Proactive: We hold the belief that the most valuable way to create long-term financial security is to anticipate trends and lead, rather than follow. Leveraging in-depth research and analytics, we prepare the most appropriate strategy for your needs.
- Ongoing Education and Resources: We offer at Correct Capital quarterly webinars and workshops to keep you informed and engaged with your financial health. Our dedication to client education guarantees that you are fully prepared to make informed decisions together with your advisor.
Choosing Correct Capital as your financial advisor in Columbus, GA means partnering with a team committed to your financial success. Our experience, fiduciary commitment, and personalized approach to financial planning and investment management make us the perfect choice for individuals and families looking to achieve their financial goals and safeguard their future.
Other services we offer in Columbus, GA include:
Call Correct Capital's Columbus, GA Financial Advisor Team Today
Your money and the choices you make with it are inherently personal. At Correct Capital, we strongly believe in the relationship between a person, family, or business owner in Columbus, GA and their financial advisor is founded on mutual trust. Committed to guiding our clients realize their personal and financial goals, be it funding higher education for your children or making the dream purchase of that dream car during your retirement years. Reach out to our Columbus, GA financial advisor team today at 877-930-4015 or get in touch with us online to begin growing your wealth in the manner you desire.
