Financial Advisor in Rockford, IL. Your hard-earned money deserves attention, and you need to feel confident about how it's expanding and how it's being used. Many Rockford residents lack the financial literacy to feel sure they're making the optimal decisions with their money, while others are too busy or interest to stay up to date on financial markets along with new laws, rules, and different events happening around the world. That's when you should consider hiring a reliable, seasoned, and knowledgeable financial advisor. A Correct Capital financial advisor in Rockford, IL will help your finances grow. We utilize in-depth research along with our decades of experience to create personalized financial solutions for individuals, families, and businesses in Rockford, IL and beyond. Call us today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online to learn how Correct Capital can help you.
Wondering if you're ready to work with a financial advisor in Rockford, IL? Explore our process page to see how straightforward we make it to determine if you're a good fit.
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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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A 2018 study by FINRA found that 53 percent of American adults are anxious about their finances. The root of that apprehensiveness is commonly simply not being sure they're managing their money correctly. Once our Rockford, IL financial advisor team gets to know you, your extant financial situation and your financial objectives, we'll build a road map to help you accomplish them. As a fiduciary and an independent firm, every Correct Capital financial advisor is legally and ethically compelled to act in your best interest and we are not limited in the solutions we can endorse. Our financial advisors in Rockford, IL have certifications that can only be gained through exhaustive testing and by meeting stringent education requirements.
What Is a Financial Advisor?
A financial advisor is a professional who helps individuals manage their money, plan their finances, put enough money away, and prepare for their financial future. This comprehensive definition covers a variety of services, from portfolio management and retirement planning to tax planning and generational wealth transfers. 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, trustworthy and professional advisors will have accreditations from regulatory bodies such as FINRA and the CFP Board that can only be achieved through rigorous education and exams.
Types of Financial Advisors in Rockford, IL
Financial advisors can work and market themselves under different titles:
- Investment Advisors or Portfolio Managers: These advisors provide advice on securities and manage investment portfolios. They're often associated with RIAs and are required to serve as fiduciaries, meaning they always have the client's best interest at heart. 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 trade 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 are determined by their specific licenses, such as Series 6 or Series 7. For instance, an advisor 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 training and adhere to the highest ethical standards, particularly a fiduciary duty to their clients. CFPs offer a broad range of financial planning services, ranging from managing debt to planning for retirement, and investment strategies. Their approach is holistic, intended to meet all aspects of a client's financial life.
- Financial Consultants: This term can apply broadly, but chartered financial consultants (ChFCs) have completed training comparable with CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals and are also required to hold their clients' interests above their own. They focus on offering comprehensive financial advice, encompassing areas such as estate planning to retirement strategies, guaranteeing that customers' financial goals are achieved through the highest ethical standards.
- Financial Coaches: Focus on boosting clients' financial literacy, helping with fundamentals such as saving money and creating budgets. They are ideal for clients who don't have the wealth to hire a financial advisor yet. Financial coaching offers a strong basis for handling personal finances wisely, particularly for those in the early stages of financial planning.
- Wealth Managers: Cater to high-net-worth individuals, offering a broad array of services that encompass estate planning, tax assistance, and investment management. They collaborate intimately with their clients to handle complex financial situations and develop wealth preservation strategies. Their expertise is tailored for optimizing the financial health and legacy of affluent clients, guaranteeing that all investments and planning strategies meet personalized advice and approaches.
Each type of financial advisor serves different needs, and the best choice depends on an individual's or organization's specific financial situation and goals. At Correct Capital, our group of advisors features CFPs and other qualified professionals who uphold the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility and personalized service, ensuring that we act exclusively in the best interest of our clients across all our engagements.
What Does a Financial Advisor Do?
A financial advisor will analyze your current financial situation, determine ways to improve it, and help you meet your long-term financial goals. A lot of Rockford, IL residents frequently immediately think of investing when they hear wealth management services and financial advisors. While that is a central aspect of any financial plan, a qualified financial advisor will be able to offer you extensive financial advice that considers the entirety of your finances. The following are some of the services your Correct Capital financial advisor in Rockford, IL will use in order to help you meet your objectives.
- Financial Planning
Our finances are a part of almost everything we do, from making sure we're prepared for retirement, to education, real estate deals, picking insurance policies, and putting food on the table each night. The best financial advisors in Rockford, IL offer holistic services and bespoke advice 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, more than 70 percent of Americans overpay in taxes every year. The United States tax code is notoriously complex, yet it provides perfectly legal ways to minimize taxes owed. A professional and trustworthy Rockford, IL financial advisor will assist you in navigating your tax implications in the interest of keeping more money in your own account.
- Portfolio Management and Asset Management
Your financial portfolio is the aggregation of your financial assets. They can include equities, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cash equivalents, or other investments such as real estate. A financial advisor in Rockford, IL will help in allocating and diversify your assets to mitigate risk and optimally position your money for growth.
- Retirement Planning
Depending on where you stand in life and your aspired lifestyle when you hang up your cape, your Rockford, IL financial advisor will assist with tax implications, evaluating the optimal time 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 enjoy your golden years just how you want to.
- 401(k) Services
We offer 401(k) services to individuals and families as well as Rockford, IL businesses and business owners. Introducing a 401(k) plan is a great way to maintain your best employees and keep them productive and happy. Our retirement consultants manage over $218 million in plan assets and numerous of plan participants nationwide. Our Rockford, IL financial advisor team offers comprehensive 401(k) planning for companies as well as personalized benefits for their employees.
- 401(k) Rollover
When starting a new job, it can be tough to know the best way to handle the money you've accumulated in a previous Rockford, IL employer's 401(k) plan. You have a number of options, such as keeping the money in the account it is in now, transferring it to a new 401(k), or investing the money in one of a variety of IRA accounts. A financial advisor will be skilled in how to best approach managing your 401(k) funds.
- Generational Wealth Transfers
You work hard for your money, and it's common to desire to leave a legacy and bequeath 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 Rockford, IL can optimize your money for both your children but for future generations to come, even ones you haven't met yet.
- Fiduciary Advising
Anyone can give themselves the title of "financial advisor," so it's vital to choose one who has obtained accreditations and certifications from regulatory authorities such as the CFP Board, Fi360, InFRE, and FINRA. As fiduciary advisors and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™™ professionals, your Rockford, IL 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, securing lower interest rates where possible, and prioritizing repayments. The goal is to create a practical path forward that aligns with your financial situation and goals, eventually leading to stability.
- Budgeting
Creating and sticking to a budget is essential to having the financial health and life you want. Financial advisors in Rockford, IL can help clients understand how much money's coming in, find areas for savings, and set realistic spending limits that promote wealth accumulation. By providing resources and strategies for effective budgeting, advisors guarantee that clients can satisfy their current financial obligations while also saving for future goals.
When you hire a Rockford, IL financial advisor at Correct Capital, we start by getting to know you and your objectives. We will evaluate your current income, assets, investments, debts, and expenses. Next we've done that, we'll work with you to establish your preferred risk tolerance and how we can best help you accomplish your goals. As an independent advisory firm, our only responsibility is to act in your best interest. There is no limitation to the services, products, and investment opportunities our financial advisor team can put forward, 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 Rockford, IL?
Seeking the guidance of a financial advisor can be a key step towards achieving financial health, peace of mind, and wealth. While the ideal moment can vary widely from person to person, certain life events and circumstances often suggest 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 buying a home or facing retirement, these milestones can significantly affect your financial landscape. A financial advisor can guide you manage these changes, ensuring that your financial plan evolves to meet your evolving situation and goals.
- Lack of Experience, Time, Knowledge, or Interest to Manage Your Finances By Yourself: Managing personal finances can be complex, time-consuming, and, frankly, overwhelming for many. If you lack the experience to successfully handle your investments, or simply prefer to focus your time elsewhere, a financial advisor can be essential. They bring expertise and wisdom to your financial decisions, assisting to enhance your portfolio, prevent costly mistakes, and set up your investments for sustainable growth.
- Nearing Retirement: Retirement planning is one of the foremost reasons individuals seek out financial advice. An advisor can aid you evaluate your current financial situation, calculate your retirement needs, and devise a plan to ensure you can enjoy your retirement years with peace of mind. 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 assist you understand 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. In addition to finding a dependable advisor, you need one whose specialties align with your needs. It's important to make the right inquiries during your initial meetings. Here are key questions to consider:
- What is your experience in the financial advisory field?
Understanding an advisor's track record, including their years in the industry, the types of clients they've collaborated with, and their specializations, can provide you a sense of their skills and whether they're prepared to tackle your specific financial circumstances.
- What are your qualifications and certifications?
Inquire about any certifications (e.g., CFP®, CFA, ChFC) the advisor has earned. These accreditations often require meeting rigorous educational, experience, and ethical standards, indicating a high level of professionalism and expertise.
- Can you describe 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 be in harmony with your expectations and expectations.
- How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
Communication method and regularity are vital to a productive client-advisor relationship. Ask about 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, commission-based, or a mixture thereof. Understanding how an advisor is compensated will help you identify potential biases and guarantee that their recommendations are made with your best interests in mind.
- Do you have a fiduciary duty to your clients?
Confirming that an advisor serves as a fiduciary is essential. This means they are bound by law to put your interests before their own, giving advice that optimally benefits 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. Grasping the full scope of services offered can assist you in determining 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 deal with them to ensure they don't negatively impact their clients' financial plans. Fiduciary advisors must make known conflicts of interest, and must manage them in their client's best interest.
Asking these questions will not only give essential information about the financial advisor's qualifications and approach but also enable you to assess 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 Rockford, IL?
In general, there are three common ways for financial advisors to be compensated:
- Commission-Based: Advisors who earn through commissions earn their income through commissions on the products they sell, such as other financial products. This fee structure can lead to a possible conflict, as the advisor could be motivated to recommend products that generate higher commissions instead of those that are most suited to your financial goals. 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 most appropriate 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 fixed fees assets under management (AUM). This model is frequently regarded as more clear and in line with the client's best interests, as it reduces 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 although they get commission from certain products, they must reveal this 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 Rockford, IL
Correct Capital stands out in the Rockford, IL financial advisory landscape for its customized approach to wealth management and financial planning. Understanding that not all clients have the same starting point or the same goals, we offer a variety of service models to our clients in Rockford, IL:
One-Time Financial Plan (best for validators)
This service model is ideal for those who are looking for the insights and advice a financial advisor can offer without the continuous oversight. This service is excellent for individuals who are largely confident in managing their finances but are looking for professional validation to confirm they're doing things the right way. Our team performs a thorough review of your current financial situation, supplying 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 changes, 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 won't be managing your portfolio, we'll work to look for opportunities to help you flourish financially.
Wealth Management (best for delegators)
Our wealth management service model is for clients who choose to hand over the management of their investments and financial planning to professionals. This includes active portfolio management, comprehensive financial strategizing, and proactive advice on a wide range of financial matters — from tax planning and retirement planning to estate considerations and beyond. Our wealth management clients enjoy a sense of security, knowing that every aspect of their financial well-being is being carefully managed by a dedicated team of professionals dedicated to maximizing their wealth and realizing their financial goals.
Why Choose Correct Capital as Your Rockford, IL Financial Advisor?
Correct Capital is a leading choice for individuals and families in Rockford, IL looking for trusted, professional financial guidance. Here's why choosing Correct Capital can make a profound difference in your financial journey:
- We are Fiduciary Advisors: As fiduciaries, Correct Capital is legally obligated to put your interests first. This commitment guarantees that every piece of advice, every investment recommendation, and every strategic decision we make on your behalf is carried out in a way that aligns most closely with your goals.
- Our I.O.U. Promise: Every piece of guidance we offer is independent, objective, and unbiased. Being independent signifies we are not tied to any financial institution or product, enabling us the freedom to choose the best investments and strategies for you.
- Professional Credentials: 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. Moreover, our retirement consultants and financial portfolio managers have over 100 years of combined experience.
- Proactivity is Our Approach: We hold the belief that the most valuable way to create long-term financial security is to stay ahead of 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 aimed at keeping you up-to-date and engaged with your financial health. Our dedication to client education guarantees that you are fully prepared to make informed decisions alongside your advisor.
Choosing Correct Capital as your financial advisor in Rockford, IL means joining forces with a team committed to your financial success. Our experience, fiduciary commitment, and personalized approach to financial planning and investment management make us the ideal partner for individuals and families looking to achieve their financial goals and secure their future.
Other services we offer in Rockford, IL include:
- 401(k) Audit
- High-Net-Worth Wealth Management
- Retirement Planner
- Financial Planning
- Retirement Plan Consultants
- Fiduciary Financial Advisor
- Self-Employed Retirement Plans
Call Correct Capital's Rockford, IL Financial Advisor Team Today
The decisions you make about your finances and the choices you make with it are inherently personal. At Correct Capital, we strongly believe in the relationship between an individual, household, or entrepreneur in Rockford, IL and their financial advisor is based on mutual trust. Dedicating our lives to helping our clients achieve their personal and financial goals, be it funding higher education for your children or finally achieving the dream of owning that dream car during your retirement years. Reach out to our Rockford, IL financial advisor team today at 877-930-4015 or get in touch with us online to take the first step towards building your wealth in the manner you desire.