Financial Advisor Jobs in California
Financial Advisor jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with steady demand at every level from associate advisor through senior wealth manager, concentrated in private wealth management, retirement planning, and institutional investment services. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring metros, home to major employers like Wells Fargo, Charles Schwab, and Fidelity Investments, all of which maintain significant California operations. The most sought-after specialties include fee-only financial planning, high-net-worth client management, and retirement income strategies. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 125+ Financial Advisor jobs
Job Description:
Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance.
Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America.
Merrill is committed to an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development. Our approach includes clear in-office expectations, while providing an appropriate level of flexibility based on role-specific responsibilities and business needs.
At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique perspectives in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different skills and experiences that individuals bring from all backgrounds and careers; whether gained through military service, community college education, or a wide range of work and life experiences. These journeys foster resilience, leadership and innovation, strengthening our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.
The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals excited to make a career transition and follow their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor.
Role Specifics:
As a Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor, you will be responsible for working with high-net worth individuals identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing financial goals, and delivering comprehensive recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with and be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to build upon your experience to promote portfolio growth.
The Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor engages in:
- Developing a book of business in order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
- Effectively prioritizes sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to the appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions to meet client needs
- Recommending investment products and services that are suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile and preferences
- Balancing investment growth, referral activities, customer follow up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development according to both a day-to-day and longer-term planning
- Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice
- Seeking the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client
- Completing mandated training, assessments, performance goals and continuing education requirements
We’ll help you:
- Build a successful career at Bank of America through world class training and on-boarding programs that set you up for success.
- Get training and one-on-one coaching from our award-winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership who are invested in your success.
- Grow your business knowledge by using a defined consultative approach to systematically identify client needs and appropriate solutions.
- Provide end-to-end comprehensive advice, deliver client reviews/presentations with confidence and recommend strategies to help achieve their financial goals and life priorities.
- Collaborate with core banking and investment partners. Connect to all the solutions we provide through Bank of America and Merrill to meet virtually all their financial needs.
Responsibilities:
- Handles inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings
- Positions the extensive capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America
- Collects the necessary client profile data, following standard KYC procedures to open account(s) as appropriate
- Serves as interim Financial Advisor, providing recommendation of investment products and services that are suitable for prospects and clients based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences as well as servicing client accounts
- Documents all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately
Required Qualifications:
- Currently holds Series 7 & 66 (63 & 65 in lieu of 66) licenses
- Minimum of one year experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
- Minimum of one year experience in the investments industry, including investment training and in-depth knowledge of investment products and services
- Proven ability to engage with and influence others
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills
- Effective communication skills (written and verbal) - Proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility
- Proven ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions/interventions
- Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners
- Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding
- Goal and results oriented
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking
- Ability to work in an environment where the majority of your compensation is tied to your performance
- Strong follow-through skills
- Computer/technical literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience
- Learns and adapts to new technology or applications
- Executes multiple tasks simultaneously
Skills:
- Business Acumen
- Business Development
- Oral Communications
- Prospecting
- Wealth Planning
- Analytical Thinking
- Client Experience Branding
- Client Investments Management
- Portfolio Analysis
- Risk Management
- Active Listening
- Client Solutions Advisory
- Emotional Intelligence
- Referral Management
- Trading
This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since your position requires SAFE Act registration, you will be required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in your immediate termination. The following laws or regulations restrict or prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain specified criminal history for the position: FDIC; Safe Act; Loan Originators; and FINRA
Shift:
1st shift (United States of America)
Hours Per Week:
40
Job Description:
Merrill Wealth Management is a leading provider of comprehensive wealth management and investment products and services for individuals, companies, and institutions. Merrill Wealth Management is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the world specializing in goals-based wealth management, including planning for retirement, education, legacy, and other life goals through investment advice and guidance.
Merrill’s Financial Advisors and Wealth Management Client Associates help clients pursue the life they envision through a personal relationship with their advisory team committed to their needs. We believe trust comes from transparency. Our trusted advisory teams are equipped with access to the investment insights of Merrill coupled with the banking convenience of Bank of America.
Merrill is committed to an in-office culture that supports collaboration, engagement, and career development. Our approach includes clear in-office expectations, while providing an appropriate level of flexibility based on role-specific responsibilities and business needs.
At Merrill, we empower you to bring your whole self to work. We value the unique perspectives in our thoughts, business, and within our employees and clients. Our Wealth Management team represents an array of different skills and experiences that individuals bring from all backgrounds and careers; whether gained through military service, community college education, or a wide range of work and life experiences. These journeys foster resilience, leadership and innovation, strengthening our workforce and positively impact the communities we serve.
The Advisor Development Program is designed for individuals excited to make a career transition and follow their passion of becoming a Financial Advisor.
Role Specifics:
As a Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor, you will be responsible for working with high-net worth individuals identifying needs, developing relationships, reviewing financial goals, and delivering comprehensive recommendations that align with the goals of both existing and prospective clients. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with and be mentored by Merrill Financial Advisor Teams to build upon your experience to promote portfolio growth.
The Merrill Advisor Development Program - Financial Advisor engages in:
- Developing a book of business in order to meet and exceed established performance hurdles
- Effectively prioritizes sourcing prospective clients, capitalizing on referrals, assessing customer needs, referring customers to the appropriate internal specialists, and executing highly customized solutions to meet client needs
- Recommending investment products and services that are suitable for prospects based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile and preferences
- Balancing investment growth, referral activities, customer follow up, prospect building, administrative compliance, and personal growth and development according to both a day-to-day and longer-term planning
- Organizing and managing resources (time, people, budget) to run a productive practice
- Seeking the expertise of specialists, where appropriate, to identify planning and investment strategies for a client
- Completing mandated training, assessments, performance goals and continuing education requirements
We’ll help you:
- Build a successful career at Bank of America through world class training and on-boarding programs that set you up for success.
- Get training and one-on-one coaching from our award-winning Academy at Bank of America and local leadership who are invested in your success.
- Grow your business knowledge by using a defined consultative approach to systematically identify client needs and appropriate solutions.
- Provide end-to-end comprehensive advice, deliver client reviews/presentations with confidence and recommend strategies to help achieve their financial goals and life priorities.
- Collaborate with core banking and investment partners. Connect to all the solutions we provide through Bank of America and Merrill to meet virtually all their financial needs.
Responsibilities:
- Handles inbound inquiries from leads regarding Merrill offerings
- Positions the extensive capabilities of Merrill and Bank of America
- Collects the necessary client profile data, following standard KYC procedures to open account(s) as appropriate
- Serves as interim Financial Advisor, providing recommendation of investment products and services that are suitable for prospects and clients based on their objectives, resources, time horizon, risk profile, and preferences as well as servicing client accounts
- Documents all client interactions and opportunities within Salesforce accurately
Required Qualifications:
- Currently holds Series 7 & 66 (63 & 65 in lieu of 66) licenses
- Minimum of one year experience working in the financial service industry and/or a sales environment where goals were met or exceeded
- Minimum of one year experience in the investments industry, including investment training and in-depth knowledge of investment products and services
- Proven ability to engage with and influence others
- Exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills
- Effective communication skills (written and verbal) - Proven ability to quickly build trust and credibility
- Proven ability to assess needs and recommend appropriate solutions/interventions
- Proven ability to work collaboratively on a team and with key partners
- Proven ability to listen and probe for clarity and understanding
- Goal and results oriented
- Entrepreneurial mindset with a proven ability to source clients through extensive prospecting and networking
- Ability to work in an environment where the majority of your compensation is tied to your performance
- Strong follow-through skills
- Computer/technical literacy and proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel
Desired Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and/or a minimum of one year of financial services industry or sales experience
- Learns and adapts to new technology or applications
- Executes multiple tasks simultaneously
Skills:
- Business Acumen
- Business Development
- Oral Communications
- Prospecting
- Wealth Planning
- Analytical Thinking
- Client Experience Branding
- Client Investments Management
- Portfolio Analysis
- Risk Management
- Active Listening
- Client Solutions Advisory
- Emotional Intelligence
- Referral Management
- Trading
This position is subject to SAFE Act registration requirements. Pursuant to the SAFE Act requirements, all employees engaged in residential loan mortgage originations must register with the federal registry system and remain in good standing. Since your position requires SAFE Act registration, you will be required to register and to submit to the required SAFE Act background check and registration process. Failure to obtain and/or maintain SAFE Act registration may result in your immediate termination. The following laws or regulations restrict or prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain specified criminal history for the position: FDIC; Safe Act; Loan Originators; and FINRA
Shift:
1st shift (United States of America)
Hours Per Week:
40
See All 125+ Financial Advisor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Financial Advisor JobsFinancial Advisor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Financial Advisor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Bank of America62
- First Command Financial Services11
- Bmo Bank N.A. (Formerly Known As Bmo Harris Bank N.A.)6
- LPL Financial6
- Northwestern Mutual5
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services79
- Investment & Asset Management17
- Insurance9
- Accounting & Auditing6
- Consulting & Professional Services4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in financial advisor jobs across California.
- Active FINRA Series 65 or Series 66 registration required or expected at hire
- Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, or a closely related field
- CFP designation preferred or actively pursued for client-facing advisory roles
- Proven ability to build and manage a client book in a competitive California market
- Experience with financial planning software such as eMoney, MoneyGuidePro, or Envestnet
- Strong knowledge of California community property laws and state tax considerations
Financial Advisor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a financial advisor in California?
Becoming a financial advisor in California typically starts with a bachelor's degree followed by passing FINRA licensing exams, most commonly the Series 65 or a combination of the Series 7 and Series 66, which are required to provide investment advice or sell securities. California-registered investment advisers must also register with the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Many employers support new advisors through exam prep and licensing reimbursement during onboarding.
Which companies hire financial advisors in California?
Employers hiring financial advisors in California right now include Bank of America, First Command Financial Services, and Bmo Bank N.A. (Formerly Known As Bmo Harris Bank N.A.), based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of high-net-worth individuals and tech-sector wealth means both large wirehouses and independent registered investment adviser firms maintain active recruiting pipelines throughout the year.
Which California cities have the most financial advisor jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have the most financial advisor openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco dominate because of their dense concentrations of wealth management firms, private banks, and corporate headquarters, while San Diego's growing tech and biotech sectors have expanded its financial services market and brought larger regional offices that recruit advisors consistently.
Are there remote financial advisor jobs in California?
Yes, though they are less common than in purely analytical roles since financial advising often involves ongoing in-person client relationships. About 6% of financial advisor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with fully remote positions most often found in paraplanning, financial planning support, or advice roles serving clients exclusively through digital channels.
How can I get hired as a financial advisor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is joining a large firm as a client associate, paraplanner, or financial planning associate, roles that Wells Fargo Advisors, Fidelity Investments, and Charles Schwab's California branches hire for without requiring a prior client book. These positions let you complete licensing exams on the job. Earning a CFP candidacy designation or an associate financial planner credential through a California CFP Board-registered program significantly strengthens applications for candidates without direct experience.
Where can I find and apply to financial advisor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to financial advisor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring across the state. Find roles that match your experience and credentials, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 125+ Financial Advisor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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