In the USA financial advisors are supposed to sit for a series of exams the main one been the Series 7. However @ my 2 cents, I think passion goes a long way as some people may have the certification required but no passion to carry it through so they offer no added value to clients.
In Kenya, most financial advisors are either the so called 'passionate-about-investments' type or those hired by insurance companies and unit trusts as sales agents with a fancy name. Makes you wonder. I have met a few of those sales agents and they all sound the same, as if reading from a script yet they are called Finacial ASdvisors. Alot of guys here at wazua can do a good job as financial advisors in my opinion and that is why I asked if there were any in the house.