From 2007-2009, a number of jobs have been lost, particularly in the manufacturing, construction and retail sectors. However, one area that is burgeoning is the demand for registered investment advisor services. The financial services sector focuses on helping individuals and businesses manage money and choose investments. In the past, stock brokers were little more than glorified salesmen, trying to earn high commission fees off wealthy investors. Yet today, fee-based, certified professional personal financial advisors are entering the field to provide additional services for their clients.

There are many reasons why a registered investment advisor excels over a mutual funds manager. First, many clients want a person who can paint their financial portraits, who can speak to them concerning goals and objectives and who is really looking out for their best interests. Secondly, clients want options, easy access and direct access to the manager of their accounts. Annual reports and performance attribution can help clients keep better track of their performance as well. At the end of the day, an RIA is paid more like a mutual fund manager than a stock broker, bringing home a low fee (sometimes just 0.35% of what you’ve invested).

More and more Americans are moving away from wire-houses to independent financial advisors, according to a June 2009 TD Ameritrade survey of registered and independent investment advisor professionals. Over 80% of RIAs surveyed reported an increased influx of clients over the last six months. The top three reasons why new clients transferred to the RIA advisory services include dissatisfaction with service, advice performance or fees at full-service brokerage firms (34%); to receive better advice that is in their best interest, rather than the broker’s best interest (21%); or to receive more personalized service with a more competitive fee structure (17%).

The future of the registered investment advisor looks bright. In the coming years, RIAs are looking to cut major business expenses (like travel and marketing costs) to offer more competitive fees. Yet some RIAs will invest in technology to offer more innovative services to their clients. In the next year, RIAs plan to increase revenue by forming alliances with other financial professionals like CPAs and attorneys, recruit new talent, add retirement/estate/insurance/tax and college planning services, explore merger and acquisition opportunities, and specialize in new market segments like business owners, baby boomers and women.

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