Analysis of financial literacy Financial Advisors

This thesis is focused on three hypotheses related to the level of financial literacy in financial advisors, and their work as such. These hypotheses are: Financial advisors' own finances are not in good order. How, then, can they advise anyone?; Most people working as financial consultants do not have adequate training and expertise; and Financial advisors are sellers of financial products under the label of "financial advice" rather than providers of financial planning services and counseling, as they declare to the clients. This is mainly because of the career system in counseling companies. Throughout the text I discuss legislative background of the field of financial advisory services, obstructions of entry and supervision by ČNB. At the same time there is a thorough analysis of the different types of consulting companies, brokerpool and internal sales network. As a method of inquiry I have selected anonymous questionnaire f or financial advisors. The data obtained in this way are discussed in order to evaluate all three hypotheses. The thesis's conclusion summarizes the results of the survey as follows: half of advisers have their finances in order, consultants working in the field for less than three years are not adequate for the job expertise. Whether financial advisors are sellers of products or providing real financial advice could not be verified. To invetsigate this hypothesis further I recommend further research in co-operation with clients of specific advisors.