This blog was originally posted in November 2024 and has been updated with new statistics.
If you’re on the fence about whether to work with a Financial Advisor, you’re not alone. When it comes to their finances, more than half of surveyed Americans feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about what do—and only 26% have a Financial Advisor.[1]
While individuals have a variety of financial goals, their top reasons to hire an Advisor to help are:[2]
As for the why, a Morningstar study found that the two most cited reasons for hiring an Advisor were:[3]
Acting as a trusted resource, a Financial Advisor’s role is to provide expert guidance and advice to help you make informed decisions that align with your financial objectives and risk tolerance.
A Financial Advisor will assess your financial situation, including your income, expenses, assets, and liabilities; help build your investment portfolio; and work with you to develop customized strategies to help you achieve short- and long-term goals, such as:
Another part of an Advisor’s role is to help you create an investment strategy—factoring in your risk tolerance and ensuring you diversify your portfolio to reduce risk.
Your Advisor will regularly review and adjust strategies as your circumstances or market conditions change. And they’ll offer objective advice to help you navigate complex financial decisions.
As for the nearly 74% of people not working with a Financial Advisor, they may be wasting valuable time—and potentially losing money—by:
In addition, those who don’t work with an Advisor may be missing out on access to an Advisor’s center of influence (COI), connections they can utilize for subject matter expertise about things like taxes, accounting, and estate planning. An Advisor’s COI may include attorneys, certified public accountants, insurance specialists, and other specialized professionals who can help with specific elements of your financial plan.
One of the key benefits to working with a Financial Advisor is they can provide valuable insight and help you create a financial plan that factors your assets and taxes into your overall long- and short-term planning goals.
And, if you choose to work with a Financial Advisor who is a fiduciary, they are bound to act in your best interests.
Not only can Financial Advisors provide valuable, objective investment advice, they can potentially help you achieve financial independence. Industry studies estimate that professional financial advice can add up to 5.1% to portfolio returns over the long term, depending on the time period and how returns are calculated.[4]
Financial Advisors also have access to tools and resources (e.g., financial software and market research) and they can provide guidance and support to help ensure you stay on track with your plan during market downturns.
If you’re looking for tips about how to find an Advisor who fits your specific needs, read 7 Steps to Choose the Right Financial Advisor.
Symmetry Partners exclusively works through Financial Advisors. We strongly feel that investors are best served when working with someone who can help you navigate various market conditions throughout your investment journey.
Find out how Symmetry can help connect you to the right Advisor.
For questions or more information, visit symmetrypartners.com/contact-us or give us a call at 800-786-3309.
Symmetry Partners, LLC provides this communication on this site as a matter of general information. Information contained herein, including data or statistics quoted, is from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed or warranted. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may not be reflective of current opinions or positions. All content on this site is for educational purposes and should not be considered investment advice, recommendation, or offer of any security for sale. Symmetry does not approve or endorse any third-party communications on this site and will not be liable for any such posts.
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Investing involves risk, including the loss of some or all of your principal. Diversification seeks to reduce volatility by spreading your investment dollars into various asset classes to add balance to your portfolio. Using this methodology, however, does not guarantee a profit or protection from loss in a declining market.
[1] “Here’s the Reason Why More than Half of Americans Feel ‘Financially Frozen’: Study,” New York Post, March 18, 2025, https://nypost.com/2025/03/18/business/why-over-half-of-americans-feel-financially-frozen-study
[2] Thorp, B., “2025 Study Reveals How Americans Find & Hire Financial Advisors,” Wealthtender, August 2025, https://wealthtender.com/insights/how-americans-find-and-hire-financial-advisors
[3] D. Labotka and S. Lamas, “Why Do People Hire Their Financial Advisors?” Morningstar Behavioral Research, June 2023, https://www.morningstar.com/financial-advisors/why-do-investors-hire-their-financial-advisor
[4] “3 Ways an Advisor Can Help Make a Difference,” Fidelity Wealth Management, January 31, 2025, https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/investing-ideas/financial-advisor-cost