What is a Financial Architect?

A financial architect is a finance professional who specializes in helping people and organizations build strong financial portfolios. Much like the more conventional architect who designs and supervises the construction of actual buildings, a financial architect designs a financial plan which will be flexible, effective, and strong, based on the individual client's needs, and supervises the execution of the plan. Financial architects can work for private consulting firms, banks, mutual funds, and a variety of other financial services companies.

When a financial architect meets with a client, he or she discusses the needs and expectations of the client. Every person is different, and it's important to come up with a long term financial planning solution which is achievable and effective for a client. A 60 year old woman, for example, has very different needs from a 20 year old man. In addition to providing financial planning assistance, a financial architect can also help with wealth management, showing people how to use their money wisely.

Some financial architects specialize in empowering their clients, teaching them how to manage their money independently and encouraging them to use a high degree of self discipline in organizing and keeping track of their finances. Others provide more full-service options, relieving their clients of the need to worry about financial planning and money management. Financial architects can also offer a blend of the two, providing clients with lots of information and helping clients make smart decisions, but stepping in to intervene if they feel that a client is not making the best choice.

People of all ages and socioeconomic classes can benefit from consulting a financial architect or financial planner. It's never too early to start planning for the future, and by working with a financial expert, people can avoid a lot of pitfalls and mistakes which could cost money. Financial planning includes saving money for retirement, college, and big expenses, as well as managing existing wealth effectively so that it will generate interest income and continue to grow.

Corporations and institutions also use financial architects to manage their wealth and assist with financial accounting. These organizations are accountable to members and stockholders who want to be sure that the company or institution is going in the right direction, and a financial architect can help generate better returns, invest in the future, and make wise spending decisions. Corporate and institutional wealth management and financial planning are much more complicated and involved than those for individuals, requiring the skills of a very experienced financial architect.