Investment Advisor Representative - IAR
Those who wish to work as financial advisors, to either manage assets or provide financial advice to clients, can take one of two basic approaches: They can either be sponsored by a broker-dealer and become licensed under FINRA regulations to become a stockbroker, or, they can register directly with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment advisor before providing professional investment advice. The first step to becoming an IAR is to pass the Series 65 (Uniform Investment advisor Law) exam. The exam covers federal securities laws and other topics related to investment advice. Most firms register as a corporation, with each employee acting as a representative of the investment advisor (IARs). Registered Investment advisors enjoy greater freedom than their counterparts in the industry who work on commission. They are also required to adhere to a much higher standard of conduct.