Earning money has always required great diligence and effort, but spending it is another story. Keeping expenditures under control and maintaining a level head about one’s finances is essential to ensuring economic independence into the golden years of retirement.
The finance sector of the economy, companies and institutions that offer financial services to commercial and retail customers, includes many businesses, such as investment houses, insurance companies, and banks. All of which are rife with industry jargon, fancy job titles, and tools and strategies that can make caring for your money seem daunting.
In this environment, administering your finances effectively often requires the aid of a well-informed financial manager.
Both asset management and wealth management services have been experiencing solid upsurges in popularity with businesses and the general public. The terms asset management and wealth management may appear similar on the surface, but they possess significant differences that need to be understood by those seeking financial help.
This article will explain some of the similarities and differences between the two disciplines to help you decide which service will best fulfill your current needs and long-term financial goals.
A Brief Introduction to Asset Management
The functions of asset management are reasonably clear-cut and straightforward to grasp. Assets refer to the totality of a person’s or company’s financial holdings. Asset management traditionally focuses on investments, such as stocks, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, and any other monetary investments, that might accrue future value.
Thus, the asset manager’s role is to find investments that can best satisfy your financial needs by allocating and dividing investable assets to align with your long-term personal goals.
Asset managers will also study your portfolio to decide what percentage should consist of stocks and growth products and what percentage should consist of fixed-income products, such as savings bonds and treasury bills.
Asset managers typically derive their income from the percentage of assets under their direct supervision. Payment rates tend to be based on a progressive structure and will vary with the number of funds an asset manager administers for an investor.
A Brief Introduction to Wealth Management
Wealth management is a broader discipline typically used in business and trades and by those with a considerable amount of wealth. The services offered by wealth management firms help to improve individuals’ or companies’ overall financial conditions while at the same time securing their long-term wealth.
This financial management approach addresses all aspects of a client’s finances, encompassing taxation and accounting, insurance coverage, retirement planning, legacy and estate planning, and charitable contributions.
All legitimate wealth management firms are required to register with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and wealth managers function under a variety of titles such as “financial advisor,” “wealth manager,” and “financial consultant.”
Generally speaking, wealth managers develop ongoing strategies founded on personal family relations, personal economic goals, current financial status, and risk aversion to create a wide-ranging financial plan.
During the preliminary stages of working with a client, wealth managers methodically study a plan’s progress and consciously apply tactics to meet the client’s most up-to-date financial goals.
Regarding payment, wealth management practitioners can adopt various methods, such as charging retainer fees, charging for the assets they are managing, and charging an hourly rate.
Differences Between Asset and Wealth Management
The critical distinction between asset and wealth management is the focus of the two disciplines. While asset management specialists concentrate on looking after clients’ investments, wealth managers employ a holistic approach encompassing clients’ entire financial situations.
The results sought and achieved by the two approaches also differ. Wealth managers characteristically focus on preserving a client’s overall financial stability, while asset managers specifically seek to produce concrete returns on investments.
Being largely experts in investment strategies, asset managers usually provide in-house products and in-person assistance. They tend to be more refined in their approach to optimizing the possible returns on a client’s investments.
In contrast, wealth managers are more process-oriented and set their sights on synergistic gains through a mixture of contributions from industry specialists, accountants, business attorneys, insurance agents, and other professionals.
Asset management firms are likely to be broker-dealerships that register with the government and only need to provide products considered appropriate for clients. Wealth management companies are registered under the title of investment advisors and have a fiduciary duty to consistently support their clients’ financial interests and well-being above their own.
Choosing the Right Financial Management Approach for You
Before choosing a type of financial management help, it’s important to fully understand the differences between asset and wealth management outlined above. Although both services are meant to positively affect your financial situation, their fitness will hinge on your financial requirements.
More specifically, if you’re in need of skilled investment guidance, an asset manager may be your ideal option. However, if you wish for a wide-ranging form of counsel on reducing your expenses and increasing the efficiency of your spending, along with insights on income taxes, estate planning, and taxation of your assets, it’s best to see a wealth manager.
Remember that the two types of financial services are not mutually exclusive. In certain instances, it may be helpful to get advice on investments from an asset manager while at the same time receiving more holistic financial guidance from a wealth manager.
Key Conclusions to Consider
From time to time, the expressions wealth management and asset management are applied interchangeably, but significant distinctions exist between the two. You can employ both to administer and develop monetary resources, but specific individuals may need additional expertise that transcends the realm of investments alone.
Asset managers are incredibly well-versed in recognizing the growth potential in investments that might strategically enhance your earnings. In comparison, the more comprehensive wealth management model offers more significant support in addressing a range of financial issues in ways that simple asset management cannot.
Naturally, a more comprehensive type of service comes with a heftier price tag, and retainer fees can be costly for clients preferring a more economical way to get financial advice. However, for the degree of detail and caring guidance that clients receive for their money, wealth management can still be a cost-efficient way to get help achieving your personal goals.
Seek Help from Wealth Alliance Advisory Group
If you require a comprehensive wealth and financial management company well-versed in all facets of estate planning, retirement planning, and accounting, please reach out to the team at Wealth Alliance Advisory Group. You can email us at contact@wealthalliance.net or give us a call at (316) 277-1674. We’re looking forward to helping you achieve your goals.