Financial Planner

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Work Tasks

• Design financial plans for individuals, businesses, and organizations
• Study tax laws, insurance plans, and financial investments
• Talk to customers to figure out what their financial goals are
• Make a plan to meet the goals and make changes to the plan as needed
• Work in offices for banks, other financial institutions, insurance companies, securities and brokerage firms, and investment firms
• Work with taxes, investments, securities, insurance, pension plans, real estate, and computers

Salary, Size & Growth

• $72,000 average per year ($34.50 per hour)
• A large occupation (304,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (4.1% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: Work experience in a related occupation such as accountant, auditor, insurance sales agent, lawyer, or securities, commodities, and financial services sales agent
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year degree in accounting, finance, economics, business, math, or law
• Skills/Courses: College courses include investments, taxes, estate planning, and risk management.
• Certification/Licensing: Licensing is required.