Financial advisor jobs at the top 13 wealth management firms – and how to get them

Looking to learn more about financial advisor jobs? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of financial advisor jobs from the top 13 wealth management firms in the United States by AUM. We also cover what licenses are out there in the financial professional field, and which ones you’ll need to be licensed for different career paths. Let’s dig in.

Financial advisor jobs – an overview

Financial advisors help individuals manage their finances and make financial decisions. You’re working with everyday people (which are typically referred to as “retail” or “retail investors”) to help them reach their financial goals.

Financial advisor jobs start off with you building a client list, and then helping those clients make their investment transactions. You need to be good with people, both in a sales and customer service capacity, and good at making sure no mistakes are made.

If you get a FINRA Series 7 license, you will be able to execute transactions on almost all types of securities, including:

• Corporate securities (equity, debt) – aka “stocks”
• Government securities (Treasuries, agency) – aka “bonds”
• Derivatives (rights, warrants, options)
• Exchange traded funds (ETFs)
• Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
• Direct participation programs (DPPs)
• Venture capital funds
• Hedge funds
• Mutual funds
• Variable contracts (annuities and life insurance)
• Unit investment trusts (UITs)
• Municipal fund securities (e.g., 529 plans)

If you get a Series 6 license, you will be able to execute transactions on the following types of securities:

• Mutual funds
• Variable contracts (annuities and life insurance)
• Unit investment trusts (UITs)
• Municipal fund securities (e.g., 529 plans)

Notice that this is a subset of the Series 7 list. People who get a Series 7 license are typically working in a general financial advisor role at a wealth management firm. People who get a Series 6 license are likely doing so at an insurance or mutual fund company, in oder to be able to sell both investment companies and variable annuities products to clients.

Want more info on the daily life of a financial advisor? Check out our post on careers in wealth management.

How to get a financial advisor job

Employers that hire financial advisors are generally looking for you to have a bachelor’s degree from a four year university, though this is not as ironclad as it once was. Similarly, these jobs used to require that you were a finance, accounting, economics, or business major, but that restriction is not as strict as it used to be either. This is because financial advisor roles are now much more focused on customer service and building great relationships, so people skills are being prioritized over existing finance industry knowledge.

And of course, if you can demonstrate finance industry knowledge, your candidacy will be that much stronger. The best way to do this is by passing the FINRA SIE exam before applying for jobs. This is recommended for anyone, but is particularly helpful for applicants that are not coming from a finance background.

For more detail, visit our guide on how to get a job in finance, which covers various scenarios including recent graduates and those with no experience.

How FINRA licensing works

Starting in 2018, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) introduced the SIE exam as a beginner licensing test for people trying to enter the securities industry. This exam is now required for most positions related to securities, and several top firms require or highly recommend passing it in order to get hired.

The FINRA SIE exam is an introductory exam for aspiring financial industry professionals. It assesses a broad variety of topics. On its own, the SIE does not qualify you for many industry roles, but the core skills you develop by preparing for it help you pass more advanced exams that are required for industry roles. Here’s a quick list of the different FINRA licensing exams you’ll need to pass to secure different financial advisor jobs:

• FINRA SIE – Entry level financial licensing exam designed to demonstrate aptitude in financial markets, products, and regulations. It is highly recommended that you take this exam before applying for jobs that will require this license in the future.

All exams below are co-requisites with the FINRA SIE exam, which means you need to take the FINRA SIE first, then take one of the following exams to complete that license:

• Series 6 – Investment Company Representative (IR) – Passing this exam qualifies you to perform your job at an investment company and variable contract products representative and also sell those products. The roles you can apply for after passing this exam are typically at insurance companies with a wealth management component, or a mutual fund company.
• Series 7 – General Securities Representative (GS) – Passing this exam qualifies you to become a general securities representative. After passing this exam, you can apply to most kinds of financial advisor jobs.
• Series 22 – DPP Representative (DR) – Passing this exam qualifies you to become a direct participation programs representative, where you can solicit, purchase, and sell limited partnerships.
• Series 57 – Securities Trader (TD) – Passing this exam qualifies you to become a securities trader, which means you can execute equity transactions.
• Series 63 – Uniform Securities Agent – Most take this exam after passing the SIE and Series 6 or Series 7 exam. This exam covers the state laws associated with securities and registered representative activities. Many states require workers to pass the Series 63 to show their state-specific knowledge. Although it is called a FINRA exam, the Series 63 is actually a North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) exam administered by FINRA.
• Series 65 – Uniform Investment Adviser – Most take this exam after passing the SIE and Series 6 or Series 7 exam. Passing this exam qualifies you to act as an uniform investment advisor as it covers the various topics relating to the role of a financial advisor. This is also a NASAA exam that is administered by FINRA.
• Series 66 – Uniform Combined – Most take this exam after passing the SIE and Series 6 or Series 7 exam. This exam combines the information needed to act as an uniform investment advisor (Series 65) with the information needed to facilitate the purchase and sale of securities (Series 63). This is also a NASAA exam that is administered by FINRA.
• Series 79 – Investment Banking (IB) – Passing this exam qualifies you to become an investment banking representative where you can advise on or facilitate debt or equity securities through a private placement or a public offering and mergers and acquisitions.
• Series 82 – Private Securities Offerings Representative (PR) – Passing this exam qualifies you to become a private securities offerings representative which means you can solicit and sell private placement securities as part of a primary offering.
• Series 86 and 87 – Research Analyst (RS) – Passing these exams qualifies you to become a research analyst, which means you can prepare written or electronic communications that analyze equity securities and/or companies and industry sectors. The Series 86 exam deals with information and data collection, analysis, modeling and valuation, and valuation and forecasting, while the Series 87 exam deals with the preparation of research reports and dissemination of information. Test-takers must pass the SIE, Series 86, and Series 87 exams to obtain the Research Analyst registration.
• Series 99 – Operations Professional (OS) – Passing this exam qualifies you to become an operations professional which means that you can do customer onboarding, financial control, receive and deliver securities and funds and account transfers, and collect, maintain, reinvest, and disburse funds.

Taking these exams can make you an appealing candidate for certain jobs or just serve as the basic entry requirement to pass to get even more selective jobs.

Interested in learning more about different finance careers? Check out our post on careers in finance.

Want to learn more about specific financial advisor jobs? Read on below:

Financial advisor job listings at major financial firms

Charles Schwab jobs

Djkeddie / Wikimedia Commons / “Charles Schwab on Nassau Street” / CC by 4.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Charles Schwab in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Financial Services Representative

Link: Schwabjobs.com

Location: Westlake, Texas

Pay: $51,200, with 10% bonus. Opportunity to increase total compensation to $58,500 ($53,200 base, plus 10% bonus opportunity depending on individual/corporate performance) within the first year.

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

This job also has an opening in Omaha, Nebraska.

Licensed Financial Services Representative

Link: Schwabjobs.com

Location: Westlake, Texas

Pay: $53,200-$76,000 based on related experience, plus an annual bonus of 10% of your base pay and other eligible earnings.

This job requires FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

J. P. Morgan jobs

Danesman1 / Wikimedia Commons / “JP Morgan Building” / CC by 3.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at J.P. Morgan in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Associate Banker

Link: jpmc.fa.oraclecloud.com

Location: Hartford, Connecticut

Pay: $26.11 per hour

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

This job also has an opening in Summerville, South Carolina.

Wealth Management- Private Client Advisor

Link: jpmc.fa.oraclecloud.com

Location: Forest Hills, New York

Pay: $58,500

This job requires FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

The job also has an opening in Bronx, New York.

Morgan Stanley jobs

Icc1977 / Wikimedia Commons / “Morgan Stanley’s headquarters in Times Square” / CC by 4.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Morgan Stanley in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Internal Sales Consultant

Link: morganstanley.eightfold.ai

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Pay: Undisclosed

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

Branch Manager, Non-Producing

Link: morganstanley.eightfold.ai

Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Pay: Undisclosed

This job requires FINRA SIE, Series 7, Series 8, and Series 66 licenses (or Series 63 and Series 65). You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

UBS Global Management jobs

Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons / “UBS Headquarters, Zurich” / CC by 4.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at UBS Global Management in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Investment Advisory Operations Specialist

Link: jobs.ubs.com

Location: Nashville, Tennessee

Pay: Undisclosed

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

Client Service Associate

Link: jobs.ubs.com

Location: Washington, District of Columbia

Pay: Undisclosed

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

Edward Jones jobs

Dwight Burdette / Wikimedia Commons / “Edward Jones Branch Ypsilanti” / CC by 3.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Edward Jones in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Financial Advisor

Link: careers.edwardjones.com

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Pay: $51,625

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

This job also has an opening in Plymouth, Michigan

Associate Financial Advisor

Link: careers.edwardjones.com

Location: Elgin, Illinois

Pay: Undisclosed

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

Credit Suisse jobs

Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons / “Credit Suisse Office on Europaallee Street in Zurich, Switzerland” / CC by 4.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Credit Suisse in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams. Credit Suisse will be merged with UBS shortly through Swiss regulator action.

Financial Advisor

Link: careers.edwardjones.com

Location: Raleigh, North Carolina

Pay: Undisclosed

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

Bank of America jobs

Oakcitydylan / Wikimedia Commons / “Bank of America NH Raleigh” / CC by 4.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Bank of America in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Wealth Management Client Associate

Link: careers.bankofamerica.com

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pay: Undisclosed

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

This job also has an opening in Dallas, Texas.

Registered Wealth Management Client Associate

Link: careers.bankofamerica.com

Location: Weston, Florida

Pay: Undisclosed

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. You can replace the Series 7 and Series 66 licenses with the Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

This job also has an opening in New York, NY.

Goldman Sachs jobs

2211473abhijithsaravanan / Wikimedia Commons / “Goldman Sachs” / CC by 4.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Goldman Sachs in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Strategic Data Analyst

Link: higher.gs.com

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Pay: Undisclosed

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

Wealth Management Analyst

Link: higher.gs.com

Location: New York, New York

Pay: $75,000-$125,000

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses. They can be obtained within 3 months of employment. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

Citi jobs

Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine / Wikimedia Commons / “Citigroup Place” / CC by 1.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at Citi in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Wealth Management Full-Time Analyst

Link: jobs.citi.com

Location: New York, New York

Pay: $100,000-$135,000

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

High net worth banker – VP

Link: higher.gs.com

Location: New York, New York

Pay: $115,000-$175,000

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 66 licenses. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

BNP Paribas jobs

Enbees / Wikimedia Commons / “BNP Paribas Bank Polska Head Office” / CC by 1.0

Most positions online that you can apply for at BNP Paribas in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Administrative Assistant/ Office Manager

Link: group.bnpparibas

Location: Miami, Florida

Pay: $60,000-$110,000

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

Corporate coverage analyst- energy, natural resources, and renewables

Link: group.bnpparibas

Location: New York, New York

Pay: $100,000-$110,000

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 79, and Series 66 licenses.

Vanguard jobs

Wikiwiki202020 / Wikimedia Commons / “The Vanguard Group” / Public domain

Most positions online that you can apply for at The Vanguard Group in the broader securities sector require passage of FINRA exams.

Administrative Assistant/ Office Manager

Link: vanguardjobs.com

Location: Malvern, Pennsylvania

Pay: Undisclosed

This job doesn’t require the SIE, but it’s a part of your training program. Having the FINRA SIE can give you a big advantage when applying and a head start on your training when you join.

Advice support representative

Link: vanguardjobs.com

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Pay: Undisclosed

This job requires the FINRA SIE, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses. They can be obtained up to 14 days before your start date. You will need to take the Series 7 license with a sponsoring firm (learn more about how to get sponsorship for your Series 7).

This job also has an opening in Dallas, Texas.

Ved Muthusamy

15 Aug 2023, 15 min read