Financial Advisor in Santa Ana, CA. Your hard-earned money deserves attention, and you need to be secure about how it's growing and how it's being used. Numerous Santa Ana residents do not have the financial literacy to feel like they can handle their investments and finances by themselves, while others simply don't have the time or inclination to stay informed on financial markets along with new laws, regulations, and different events happening around the world. That's when you need a reliable, experienced, and knowledgeable financial advisor. A Correct Capital financial advisor in Santa Ana, CA will help your finances grow. We employ in-depth research along with our extensive expertise to create personalized financial solutions for individuals, families, and businesses in Santa Ana, CA and beyond. Speak to a team member today at 877-930-4015 or contact us online to see if Correct Capital is a good fit for you.
Wondering if you're ready to hire a financial advisor in Santa Ana, CA? Explore our process page to discover how easy we make it to determine if you're a good fit.
A 2018 study by FINRA found that 53 percent of American adults are anxious about their finances. The root of that apprehensiveness is often simply not being sure they're making the right decisions with their money. Once our Santa Ana, CA financial advisor team gets to know you, your current financial situation and your financial ambitions, we'll create a road map to help you accomplish them. As a fiduciary and an independent firm, your Correct Capital financial advisor is required to act in your best interest and we are not limited in the plans we can put forward. Our financial advisors in Santa Ana, CA have certifications that can only be awarded through exhaustive testing and by meeting strict education requirements.
What Is a Financial Advisor?
A financial advisor is a specialist who helps individuals manage their money, plan their finances, put enough money away, and prepare for their financial future. This role covers a spectrum 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 be called a financial advisor or financial planner, credible and professional advisors will have qualifications from regulatory bodies such as FINRA and the CFP Board that denote their experience and education.
Types of Financial Advisors in Santa Ana, CA
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 offer advice on securities and oversee investment portfolios. They often work in RIAs and are required to act in a fiduciary capacity, meaning they always have the client's best interest at heart. Portfolio managers are registered with either the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state regulators, depending on the amount of investments 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 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, such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professionals (CFPs): Professionals with the CFP certification have completed rigorous education and adhere to high ethical standards, particularly a fiduciary duty to the people whose assets they help manage. CFPs offer a wide array of financial advisory services, ranging from debt management to planning for retirement, and tax optimization strategies. Their methodology is comprehensive, designed to address all aspects of a client's financial life.
- Financial Consultants: This term can apply broadly, but chartered financial consultants (ChFCs) have completed education similar to CFPs and are also bound by a fiduciary duty. Like CFPs, ChFCs focus on providing comprehensive financial advice, encompassing areas such as investment management to retirement strategies, guaranteeing that customers' financial goals are achieved through the highest ethical standards.
- Financial Coaches: Focus on enhancing clients' financial literacy, assisting with fundamentals such as saving money and creating budgets. They are perfect for clients who might not have the financial resources to hire a financial advisor yet. Financial coaching delivers a good starting point for managing personal finances efficiently, particularly for those looking to take the first step towards financial wellbeing.
- Wealth Managers: Serve high-net-worth individuals, offering extensive services that include estate planning, tax assistance, and investment management. They collaborate intimately with their clients to navigate complex financial situations and implement wealth preservation strategies. Their skill set is tailored for maximizing the financial health and legacy of wealthy individuals, ensuring that their clients' goals and aspirations are met through tailored advice and solutions.
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 boasts CFPs and other qualified professionals who uphold the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility and personalized service, guaranteeing 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 look over your present financial situation, determine ways to improve it, and help you accomplish your long-term financial goals. Many Santa Ana, CA residents typically immediately think of investing when they hear wealth management services and financial advisors. While that is a fundamental part of any financial plan, a certified financial advisor will be able to give you all-encompassing financial advice that takes into consideration the entirety of your finances. Below are some of the services your Correct Capital financial advisor in Santa Ana, CA will use in order to help you meet your objectives.
- Financial Planning
Our money is involved in almost anything we do, from making sure we're prepared for retirement, to education, real estate transactions, choosing insurance policies, and putting food on the table each night. The best financial advisors in Santa Ana, CA offer all-encompassing services and personalized guidance by considering 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, over 70 percent of Americans pay more than necessary in taxes every year. The United States tax code is notoriously complex, yet it allows for perfectly legal ways to minimize taxes owed. A reliable and expert Santa Ana, CA financial advisor will guide you through your tax implications to ensure 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 stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), cash equivalents, or other investments such as real estate. A financial advisor in Santa Ana, CA will help to allocate and diversify your assets to mitigate risk and best position your money for growth.
- 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 Santa Ana, CA financial advisor will assist with tax planning, evaluating the optimal time to retire, when to withdraw money and how much to withdraw. A financial advisor will help you formulate a budget and plan 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 Santa Ana, CA businesses and business owners. Setting up a 401(k) plan is a fantastic way to maintain your best employees and keep them satisfied and happy. Our retirement consultants oversee over $218 million in plan assets and thousands of plan participants nationwide. Our Santa Ana, CA financial advisor team offers extensive 401(k) planning for companies as well as individualized benefits for their employees.
- 401(k) Rollover
When transitioning to a new job, it can be difficult to know the best way to deal with the money you've accumulated in a previous Santa Ana, CA employer's 401(k) plan. You have multiple options, including keeping the money in the account it is in now, 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 managing your 401(k) funds.
- Generational Wealth Transfers
You strive for your money, and it's normal to want to leave a legacy and bequeath some wealth to the people you care about the most. Wealth transfers are distinct from simply leaving gifts behind in estate planning. A financial advisor in Santa Ana, CA can strategically plan your money for both your children but for future generations to come, even ones you haven't met yet.
- Fiduciary Advising
Anyone can call themselves a "financial advisor," so it's crucial to choose one who has earned accreditations and certifications from regulatory authorities such as the CFP Board, Fi360, InFRE, and FINRA. As fiduciary advisors and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™™ professionals, your Santa Ana, CA financial advisor at Correct Capital must abide 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 customized debt management plans that focus on managing debt, securing lower interest rates if feasible, and structuring repayments. The goal is to create a practical path forward that aligns with your financial capabilities and goals, eventually leading to stability.
- Budgeting
Creating and sticking to a budget is crucial to achieving financial health and goals. Financial advisors in Santa Ana, CA can assist clients grasp your income level, find areas to spend less, and set realistic spending limits that facilitate wealth accumulation. By providing resources and strategies for successful budgeting, advisors make sure that clients can satisfy their current financial obligations while also saving for future goals.
When you hire a Santa Ana, CA financial advisor at Correct Capital, we begin by getting to know you and your objectives. We will evaluate your current income, assets, investments, debts, and expenses. Once we've accomplished that, we'll work in tandem with you to establish 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 restrictions 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.
Do I Need to Speak to a Financial Advisor in Santa Ana, CA?
Seeking the advice of a financial advisor can be a critical step towards getting the life and financial health you want. While the ideal moment can vary widely from person to person, certain life events and circumstances often signal the need for professional financial advice.
- Major Life Changes: Life is a long line of transitions, and many of them have substantial financial implications. Whether you're starting a family or facing retirement, these milestones can dramatically affect your financial landscape. A financial advisor can assist 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 By Yourself: Managing personal finances can be complex, time-consuming, and, frankly, daunting for many. If you don't have the knowledge to successfully manage your investments, or simply choose to spend your energy elsewhere, a financial advisor can be essential. They bring experience and perspective to your financial decisions, assisting to enhance your portfolio, prevent costly mistakes, and set up your investments for future success.
- Nearing Retirement: Retirement planning is one of the foremost reasons individuals seek out financial advice. An advisor can aid you assess your current financial situation, determine your retirement needs, and formulate a plan to ensure you can experience your retirement years comfortably. 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 complexities. If you're considering investments in complex financial products—such as derivatives, alternative investments, or tax-optimized strategies—an advisor's insight can be vital. They can help 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 crucial when you're hiring someone for any service, but particularly so when it comes to your finances. In addition to finding a trustworthy advisor, you need one who perfectly matches your needs. It's important to inquire properly 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 expert areas, can give you a sense of their expertise and whether they're well-suited to handle your financial situation.
- What are your qualifications and certifications?
Ask about any certifications (e.g., CFP®, CFA, ChFC) the advisor has earned. These credentials often require meeting strict education, experience, and ethical standards, indicating a high level of expertise 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 aggressive strategy, their philosophy should reflect your goals and expectations.
- How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
Communication method and regularity are essential to a fruitful client-advisor relationship. Ask about how often you'll be able to meet with your advisor, whether they'll be in person or online, and how the advisor expects to keep you updated about your investments and financial plan.
- How are you compensated for your services?
Advisors can be either get money from fees/a percentage of your assets, commission from selling financial products, or a mixture thereof. Grasping how an advisor is compensated will help you identify potential biases and guarantee that their advice is offered with your best interests in mind.
- Do you have a fiduciary duty to your clients?
Confirming that an advisor is a fiduciary is crucial. This means they are legally required to put your interests ahead of their own, giving advice that optimally benefits 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 educational resources 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 transparently share potential conflicts of interest and how they deal with them to ensure they don't negatively impact their clients' financial plans. Fiduciary advisors must disclose conflicts of interest, and are required to 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 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 Santa Ana, CA?
In general, there are three common ways for financial advisors to be compensated:
- Commission-Based: Advisors who earn through commissions make their earnings through commissions on the financial products they offer, such as insurance policies. This fee structure can create a potential conflict of interest, as the advisor could be motivated to suggest products that generate higher commissions instead of 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: Advisors on a fee-only basis are compensated straightforwardly by clients for the advice and services they provide and do not receive any commissions from product sales. This compensation can take several forms, including a percentage of the assets under management (AUM). This model is frequently regarded as more clear and in line with the client's best interests, as it minimizes conflicts of interest related to product sales.
- Fee-Based: Advisors with a fee-based approach use a combination of fees paid by the client and commissions from selling financial products. While this model offers a mix of the fee-only and commission-based structures, fee-based advisors generally also have a fiduciary duty, which means that although 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 Santa Ana, CA
Correct Capital stands out in the Santa Ana, CA financial advisory landscape for its customized approach to wealth management and financial planning. Recognizing that not all clients have the same starting point or the same goals, we offer a variety of service models to our clients in Santa Ana, CA:
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 largely feel good about managing their finances but are looking for professional validation to ensure they're setting their money up for success in the best way. Our team conducts a thorough review of your current financial situation, supplying you with a detailed plan that tackles your specific goals, concerns, and opportunities for growth.
Subscription (best for collaborators)
Our subscription service caters to people who appreciate consistent guidance and advice as their financial situation changes, or when they have specific questions about taxes, investments, or other aspects of their finances. This model offers monthly updates from our financial advisors, regular check-ins every quarter, and availability on an as-needed basis. While we won't be managing your portfolio, we'll work 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 hand over the management of their investments and financial planning to professionals. This includes active investment management, comprehensive financial strategizing, and proactive advice on a wide range of financial matters — from tax planning 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 overseen by a dedicated team of professionals dedicated to maximizing their wealth and realizing their long-term goals.
Why Choose Correct Capital as Your Santa Ana, CA Financial Advisor?
Correct Capital is a premier choice for individuals and families in Santa Ana, CA 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, we is legally obligated to act in your best interests. This commitment ensures that every piece of advice, every investment recommendation, and every strategic decision we make on your behalf is carried out with your best interests at heart.
- Our I.O.U. Promise: Every piece of guidance we offer is independent, objective, and unbiased. Our independence 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.
- Professional Credentials: 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 two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®), an Enrolled Agent, and a CPA. Additionally, our retirement consultants and financial portfolio managers boast over 100 years of combined experience.
- Proactivity is Our Approach: Our advisors believe 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, our aim is to craft 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 dedication to client education guarantees that you are well-equipped to make informed decisions together with your advisor.
Choosing Correct Capital as your financial advisor in Santa Ana, CA means joining forces with a team dedicated 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 seeking to achieve their financial goals and secure their future.
Other services we offer in Santa Ana, CA include:
- 401(k) Audit
- High-Net-Worth Wealth Management
- Retirement Planner
- Financial Planning
- Retirement Plan Consultants
- Fiduciary Financial Advisor
Call Correct Capital's Santa Ana, CA Financial Advisor Team Today
The decisions you make about your finances and the decisions you make with it are inherently personal. At Correct Capital, we strongly believe that the relationship between an individual, household, or business owner in Santa Ana, CA and their financial advisor is based on mutual trust. Dedicating our lives to helping our clients realize their financial and personal goals, whether it's sending your children to college or making the dream purchase of that dream car during your retirement years. Reach out to our Santa Ana, CA financial advisor team today at 877-930-4015 or start a conversation with us online to begin building your wealth how you've always wanted.