On the Difference Between Advisor and Adviser

I’ve seen a few different takes on this question, mostly it is common error rather than intentional subterfuge – even practitioners use advisor and adviser interchangeably.  But a lot of my fellow advisers will say it is usually a hybrid broker who uses the term “advisor” in order to deceive.  I’m not sure about that but it’s definitely a thing people say.

Here’s a smart way of thinking about it from Jason Zweig at the WSJ’s Total Return blog:

Long ago, investors bought stocks from “customer’s men,” who then became “registered representatives,” who in turn morphed into “investment adviser representatives.” Financial planners, meanwhile, became “financial advisers” and even “wealth managers.”

Much like garbagemen rechristening themselves “sanitation engineers,” the folks who flog investments are tweaking their titles to make what they do seem fancier and more impressive than it is.

Stockbrokers and financial planners alike have been migrating, en masse, from the word “adviser” to the alternative, subtly-more-impressive spelling advisor.  (When you type advisor in WordPress, as I just did, the software underlines it with red sawteeth, signaling that the word is misspelled. Most dictionaries say either spelling is acceptable.)

Keep Reading:

Should You Go to an Adviser or an Advisor? (WSJ)

 

 

 

This content, which contains security-related opinions and/or information, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon in any manner as professional advice, or an endorsement of any practices, products or services. There can be no guarantees or assurances that the views expressed here will be applicable for any particular facts or circumstances, and should not be relied upon in any manner. You should consult your own advisers as to legal, business, tax, and other related matters concerning any investment.

The commentary in this “post” (including any related blog, podcasts, videos, and social media) reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of the Ritholtz Wealth Management employees providing such comments, and should not be regarded the views of Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. or its respective affiliates or as a description of advisory services provided by Ritholtz Wealth Management or performance returns of any Ritholtz Wealth Management Investments client.

References to any securities or digital assets, or performance data, are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute an investment recommendation or offer to provide investment advisory services. Charts and graphs provided within are for informational purposes solely and should not be relied upon when making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The content speaks only as of the date indicated. Any projections, estimates, forecasts, targets, prospects, and/or opinions expressed in these materials are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by others.

Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here: https://www.ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers

Please see disclosures here.

What's been said:

Discussions found on the web
  1. blazing trader reviews commented on Sep 28

    … [Trackback]

    […] Info to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  2. 918kiss commented on Oct 01

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Info here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  3. 메이저놀이터 commented on Oct 18

    … [Trackback]

    […] Here you can find 21486 additional Information to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  4. ask question commented on Nov 23

    … [Trackback]

    […] Read More Information here on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  5. Devops Companies commented on Nov 24

    … [Trackback]

    […] Here you will find 2699 more Information on that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  6. Intelligent automation commented on Nov 28

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  7. How Fun commented on Dec 12

    … [Trackback]

    […] Information to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]

  8. rolex replica commented on Dec 30

    … [Trackback]

    […] Find More Info here to that Topic: thereformedbroker.com/2012/07/05/on-the-difference-between-advisor-and-adviser/ […]