Perceptions of Financial Advisors Regarding Factors That Affect the Development of Planning and Client Communication Techniques in Practice.

Like many professions, financial advisors develop their planning and communication techniques in education and practice. This article seeks to provide insight about the development of financial advisors early in their career. Four beginning financial advisors were interviewed and factors that they consider as being influential to their ability to develop and communicate client recommendations were identified. Triangulation was achieved through interviews with supervisors of the financial advisors and through a focus group of the financial advisors. Participants identified the influential role of mentorship and reflective practice, especially through instructional modeling and collaborative practices. These factors that impact the development of new financial advisors can be replicated in financial planning educational programs and in orientation programs within financial planning firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]