Financial Advisor

$105,070 · BLS median

Licensing exams (Series 7/66), then recurring fees on the assets you manage. Add the CFP to earn ~13% more and win higher-value clients.

Gold = credential gate. Each turn: more skill → more pay → the next step.

1

Get sponsored by a firm

The Series exams require a broker-dealer sponsor, so you join a firm first. Most expect a bachelor's.
◆ GMA mentor + community network
2

Pass Series 7 + Series 66

FINRA exams — Series 7 (general securities) + Series 66 (state/advisory). The license to sell & advise.
3

Build a client book

The hard early years — find clients, earn trust.
4

Grow assets under management · $105K

Recurring fees on AUM mean income compounds as the book (and markets) grow.
5

Earn the CFP

CFP — bachelor's + coursework + 4,000–6,000 hrs + exam. CFP holders earn ~13% more.

The flywheel: every client added grows recurring AUM fees; those fees + the CFP credential attract bigger clients — so income compounds on the book you've already built.

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