Wealth Manager vs. Financial Advisor

What Is a Wealth Manager?

A wealth manager is a financial professional who focuses on the full range of issues connected to wealth — not just investments, but also tax planning, estate planning, charitable giving strategies, and long-term preservation of assets. Their work is designed for people with significant financial resources or complex financial needs.

Wealth management typically includes:

Growing and preserving wealth
Reducing tax liabilities through sophisticated strategies
Planning how assets transfer at death or to heirs
Integrating charitable giving with financial goals
Coordinating multiple aspects of a client’s financial life

Because of this broad focus, wealth managers often charge fees based on a percentage of assets under management (AUM) — aligning their compensation with the growth of your portfolio and providing a bundled set of services.

What Is a Financial Advisor?

The title financial advisor is broader — and can encompass many different types of professionals, including planners, investment managers, and general financial consultants. Unlike wealth managers, who specialize in high-net-worth needs, financial advisors often support clients at any stage of their financial journey

A financial advisor may help with:

Retirement planning and goal setting
Budgeting and cash-flow management
Investment strategy and portfolio advice
Insurance planning
Basic tax guidance and investment-related tax strategies
Referrals to specialists for complex topics

Some financial advisors work on an hourly or flat-fee basis, which can be more affordable for clients who don’t require the full suite of wealth-management services.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Wealth Manager vs. Financial Advisor

Which One Do You Need?

Choose a Wealth Manager if:

You have considerable assets and want integrated planning across investments, taxes, and legacy goals
You value holistic strategies that involve estate and philanthropic planning
You want a single advisor to coordinate complex financial decisions

Choose a Financial Advisor if:

You’re building wealth or planning goals such as retirement or education
You want focused help with budgeting, investing, and basic planning
You prefer flexible fee arrangements (hourly or flat fees instead of asset-based charges)

Both types of professionals can add value — but your personal situation and financial goals should guide which one is right for you.

How to Find the Right Professional

Choosing an advisor is like hiring any other trusted professional: you want someone who understands you and your situation. Specialists recommend treating the process like a job interview. Here’s how to start:

Ask for referrals from people you trust.
Interview multiple advisors to compare services, fees, and communication styles.
Check credentials and specialties — for example, CFP®, CPA, CFA, or RIA registrations.
Ask about fiduciary duty — does the advisor legally commit to acting in your best interest?
Understand fee structures up front, including any potential conflicts of interest.

Wealth Manager vs. Financial Advisor:

Making the Right Choice for Your Financial Future