Stockbroker vs. financial advisor: What’s the difference?
Learn the difference between a stockbroker vs. a financial advisor and when you should seek the services of each.
Summary
Financial advisors offer a comprehensive picture for your finances, while stockbrokers offer more specific advice on individual securities and can buy and sell securities for you.
Financial advisors may be fiduciaries, while stockbrokers are not required to be.
You can seek the services of each for the different roles they play.
Unbiased can match you with a qualified financial advisor suited for your situation.
What is a stockbroker?
A stockbroker buys and sells securities investments, such as stocks, bonds, and ETFs, for you. They act as an intermediary between you and an investor or securities exchange.
They can also recommend specific securities to buy, sell, or hold. They can also steer you in the direction of investment strategies you may want to employ.
They’re often paid a commission for each transaction, though there are online brokerages that have implemented trades at no cost.
What is a financial advisor?
A financial advisor advises you on your money and financial future.
They typically offer more comprehensive services, ranging from retirement planning and investments to efficient tax strategies, job change planning, and more. With a financial advisor, you may put a financial plan in place that addresses the most important financial aspects of your life.
Financial advisors typically have a different method of compensation than stockbrokers. They can also be held to a fiduciary standard, which requires them to act in your best interest.
What are the differences between a stockbroker vs. a financial advisor?
The main difference between a stockbroker and a financial advisor comes down to what they do for your finances.
A stockbroker can give specific advice about securities and carry out orders to buy or sell those investments. A financial advisor, on the other hand, usually has a broader scope of duties and works more closely with you on your finances.
To summarize, here’s a comparison table of a stockbroker vs. a financial advisor.
| | Stockbroker | Financial advisor |
|---|---|---|
| | Stockbroker | Financial advisor |
| What they do | Facilitate trades on your behalf and provide advice on securities. | Advise on a more comprehensive financial plan. |
| Main duty | Understand specific stocks, investments, and markets. | Understand your financial goals relating to saving, investment, retirement, estate planning, and more. |
| How they’re paid | Commission-based on trades they make for you, or by fees you pay to service an account held with the brokerage. | May be paid fees for services or a percentage of assets under management. |
| How they’re regulated | FINRA | SEC, state |
See also: What is a financial advisor, and what do they do?
Do I need a stockbroker and a financial advisor?
The stockbroker can make your trades while the financial advisor can give you advice on retirement, how much life insurance you need, and more. There are many scenarios where employing both a stockbroker and a financial advisor makes sense.
Here are some examples where you’ll need either a stockbroker or a financial advisor:
For picking a stock: Stockbroker
For planning for retirement: Financial advisor
For advice on a lump sum you’ve received (like inheritance): Financial advisor
For advice on how the market is moving: Stockbroker
For tax planning: Both
Your stockbroker and financial advisor have distinct backgrounds and areas of expertise. You can use both.
How do I choose the right expert for my needs?
Choosing the right expert for your needs is simpler than you realize.
Your stockbroker has expertise in one main area: securities. If you’re considering investing in ETFs vs. index funds, whether or not you should dive into an REIT, what type of retirement fund to use, and any other questions you have about those types of investments, you’ll call your stockbroker.
You’ll want to call your financial advisor for everything else. Their whole job centers around your success with money planning. Whether that’s navigating a job change, planning for retirement, what to do with a 401(k) from an old employer, or how to make your taxes more efficient, they’re there for you.
When looking for financial advice from either a broker or a financial advisor, you may want to ask:
What services do I need?
What services are provided by the broker? By the financial advisor?
Is the broker or financial advisor limited to what they can advise me on?
How is the broker/advisor paid?
How much will you pay for the service/commission?
Does the broker/advisor have any conflicts of interest?
Does the broker/advisor have a good reputation?
Get expert financial advice
Both a stockbroker and a financial advisor can help you with your money. Their different roles can be complementary, allowing you to get help with every aspect of your finances.
If you need to be connected to a qualified, competent financial advisor, Unbiased can be the bridge to help you find one. You’ll be matched with an advisor to answer any questions you have and help get your finances on the right track.
Writers
Our team of writers, who have decades of experience writing about personal finance, including investing and retirement, are here to help you find out what you must know about life’s biggest financial decisions.