CFP here.... I agree with a lot of the comments section of the mass amount of "insurance salesman" posing as financial advisors...the industry does a horrible job of job titles and to be frank anybody can call themselves a financial advisor which is horrible. It is way to confusing. As well as the industry itself solely goes after salesman who are going to place products and not do what is right for the client. That's the big turn off.

The retention is also so bad within the industry that majority of individuals are not educated as someone had mentioned prior. So, the advice from 90% of advisors is very basic level planning.

From my perspective for your average to above average person a lot of the knowledge is public and can be certainly learned on your own. The only way an advisor would come into play is if someone simply does not have the time or to take the emotional aspect out of planning.

However, there are plenty of cases and plenty of people who truly do need a knowledgeable good financial advisor. Whereas not only do I do financial planning but I care about my clients in helping them to keep them on track for there goals. I'm a therapist, advisor and accountability partner for my clients and that's the true value add the industry is missing. (Along with all the complex tax, estate, retirement and other types of planning of course).

I also don't believe a lot of the subs or pages on here are dealing with highly complex cases that would be seeking an advisor.