A career in financial advisory services is an appropriate option for those who wish to assist people in becoming financially sound. An investment advisor can make an everlasting impact in their life by providing them valuable guidance with their investments. One needs a financial advisor with whom he can have a transparent relationship. As the number of people showing interest in financial assets, a career as a financial advisor is a great idea. However, if you wonder how to become investment advisor, then you landed at the right place.
How to become Investment Advisor
If you want to know how to become investment advisor, then you first need to register yourself. You have to register with the market regulator. For instance, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the authority looking after the Indian financial market. You can become a recognised Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) only after registering with the SEBI. All registrations currently occur under the SEBI Investment Advisers Regulation of 2013. Therefore, no one can become an investment or financial advisor without obtaining a license from the SEBI. An individual, company or partnership firm can register as a legal investment advisor.
Essential eligibility criteria for becoming an investment advisor
Before you learn how to become investment advisor, note down the requirements. Here’s a list of all the crucial criteria one needs to fulfil.
Educational qualifications
A person should possess the following educational qualifications.
1. An individual must have a post-graduate diploma in finance, commerce, capital markets, accounts, economics, banking, business management or insurance.
2. Graduate degree irrespective of the stream with at least five years of experience in advisory services in investment instruments, services, portfolio management etc.
Certifications
One has to bear any of the following certificates.
1. Certification of NISM, Series X-A: Level 1
2. Certification of NISM, Series X-A: Level 2
3. Certificate of Financial Planner from the Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB).
Financial Obligations
The following are the financial requirements to become an investment advisor.
1. An individual’s total assets should be at least Rs 2 lakhs.
2. The lower limit is Rs 25 lakhs for financial firms or corporate bodies. An institution must manage at least Rs 25 lakhs of cumulative assets.
In addition, the SEBI also allows insurance agents with five years of experience to register themselves and become RIA. However, they must have the relevant degrees from the subjects or disciplines mentioned above.
Documents required
Below is a list of documents one should submit with the application for RIA.
- Identity proof such as aadhaar, voter id or passport
- Address proof like aadhaar card, passport, voter id, pan card etc.
- Proof of essential qualification
- Certificate from a chartered accountant declaring your net worth
- Income Tax Return (ITR) of the last three years
- Any other documents or declaration forms as asked by SEBI.
Steps to become a register yourself with SEBI
If you are still thinking about how to become investment advisor, then follow the steps mentioned below and become an RIA.
1. Acces SEBI Intermediary Portal: First, visit the official website of SEBI. Find the SEBI Intermediary Portal and go to the self-registration section.
2. Submit your details: Fill out the application form. Provide all the necessary information asked in the application.
3. Complete the payment: You must deposit the required fee. Select your preferred mode of payment, like internet banking facility, debit card or credit card and click submit.
4. Confirmation receipt from SEBI: After you make the payment, you shall receive the due confirmation from the SEBI and the login ID and password in a week.
5. Complete the application: Using the login credentials, access your account and complete your application within two weeks. Upload the relevant documents too. Fill the Form A, where you need to give the following details.
- Personal information like address, qualification, certificates etc.
- business plan
- infrastructure you have
- services (in the case of firms)
- declaration under schedule two of SEBI intermediaries regulation of 2008
6. Get registration certificate: After the due approval of SEBI, you shall receive your license via post.
Conclusion
As the demand for financial services will undoubtedly grow in the future, becoming an investment advisor is indeed a good choice. One can register with the SEBI and get a license to become a registered investment advisor. If you want to know how to become investment advisor, you can also contact financial services firms like IIFL Securities. IIFL has a dedicated Advisor Anytime Anywhere, i.e. AAA, which is one of the easiest ways to achieve your goals. All one needs is to sign up on their portal and get started. IIFL Securities will assist you in your journey all along the way.
