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As social media finance influencers share enticing but risky tips, it's crucial to know the limitations of unlicensed advice. At Brickley Wealth Management, licensed advisors offer expert-backed strategies, ensuring you receive comprehensive, regulated guidance.
Blog Post
by Aaron Brickley, CFP®, CPWA®

Navigating Social Media Finance: The Value of Licensed Advisors Over Influencers

Investing
Financial Planning
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Notice: The content of this post is over two years old, information may not be up to date.

In an age where YouTube and TikTok bring financial advice to our screens with a single swipe, it’s easy to get caught up in a polished, engaging video that promises high returns or tax-saving hacks. With millions of views and flashy results, it’s no wonder so many are swayed by these posts. But are these “experts” really who they say they are?

The Appeal of Social Media Finance Influencers

The appeal is understandable. Quick, digestible advice, often framed in relatable, real-life situations, can feel like it fits your needs perfectly. Influencers talk about market trends, real estate investments, “easy” passive income streams, and tax tips—all while making it look achievable and glamorous. But while they may be enthusiastic, they often lack the credentials, experience, and fiduciary responsibility that comes with licensed financial advising.

The Risk of Following Unqualified Advice

Many influencers do not hold licenses in financial advising, tax planning, or investment management. Without formal education and experience, they might not fully understand the complexities behind the advice they’re sharing. This is where risks come in:

  • Simplified Advice: Complex topics are oversimplified, leading to misinformation.
  • Unverified Claims: Strategies touted as “foolproof” often aren’t backed by thorough research.
  • High Risk, Low Reward: Strategies that may work in one scenario can cause significant financial harm when applied without professional assessment.
  • Lack of Accountability: These influencers face no legal repercussions if their advice fails.

Professionals VS. Influencers

Licensed professionals, whether in investment management, financial planning, or tax advisory, undergo rigorous education, testing, and ongoing training. Here are a few reasons why their expertise makes a real difference:

  • Education, Certification, and Oversight: Licensed financial and investment advisors are regulated by FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) or the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), and for CPAs, oversight comes from state boards of accountancy under the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). These professionals undergo rigorous education, pass stringent exams, and adhere to strict ethical standards, ensuring that their advice is grounded in a comprehensive understanding of financial and tax laws. This regulatory oversight ensures accountability and credibility, a level of assurance that self-styled social media experts simply don’t provide.
  • Fiduciary Duty: Many advisors are legally bound to act in your best interests, something no influencer is obligated to do.

How to Spot Red Flags on Social Media

  • Promises of High Returns with Minimal Risk: Be wary of “easy money” strategies.
  • Push for High-Fee Products: Some influencers are motivated by affiliate deals or sponsored partnerships, often with higher fees or risks.
  • No Disclosures or Credentials: Professionals are transparent about their qualifications and methods; influencers rarely are.

Take Control of Your Financial Journey with Real Advice

Reliable financial guidance considers every aspect of your unique situation—goals, current assets, tax considerations, and future needs. Working with a professional can help you not only avoid common pitfalls but also establish a comprehensive, achievable plan for wealth building and preservation.

In a world filled with noise, find a source you can trust. At Brickley Wealth Management, we’re dedicated to providing advice rooted in proven strategies and tailored expertise, helping you make informed decisions in a complex financial landscape.

–––

Brickley Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser*. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brickley Wealth Management and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The information throughout this website is solely for informational purposes. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information, and we conduct reasonable due diligence review however, the information contained throughout this website is subject to change without notice and is not free from error. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing and should carefully consider their own investment objectives and not rely on any post, chart, graph or marketing piece to make a decision. No investment or tax advice may be rendered by Brickley Wealth Management or Brickley & Company unless a client service agreement is in place. We are not providing any personalized investment advice through this website. Please consult your investment, tax, or legal advisor for assistance regarding your individual situation. Brickley Wealth Management does not provide legal advice, and nothing in this website shall be construed as legal advice. For more information on our firm and our advisers, please see the latest Form ADV and Part 2 Brochures and our Client Relationship Summary https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/287487. For a copy of our Privacy Notice, please go here.

*Please note that the term "registered investment adviser" and description of our firm and/or our associates as "registered" does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

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Key Financial Terms 
Related to this Post:

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Fiduciary

A Fiduciary is an individual or organization that is legally required to act in the best interest of another person or persons, putting their clients' interests ahead of their own with a duty to preserve good faith and trust.
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Registered Investment Advisor

A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a firm or individual registered with the SEC or state regulators to provide financial advice and investment management services to clients, and is bound by state and federal laws.
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Risk Tolerance

An individual's willingness to take on financial risk in pursuit of investment returns. Influences asset allocation decisions, and may change from time to time.

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Contact@brickleywealth.com
(650) 638-0111

Brickley Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser*. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Brickley Wealth Management and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. The information throughout this website is solely for informational purposes. The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information, and we conduct reasonable due diligence review however, the information contained throughout this website is subject to change without notice and is not free from error. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Readers should conduct their own review and exercise judgment prior to investing and should carefully consider their own investment objectives and not rely on any post, chart, graph or marketing piece to make a decision. No investment or tax advice may be rendered by Brickley Wealth Management or Brickley & Company unless a client service agreement is in place. We are not providing any personalized investment advice through this website. Please consult your investment, tax, or legal advisor for assistance regarding your individual situation. Brickley Wealth Management does not provide legal advice, and nothing in this website shall be construed as legal advice. For more information on our firm and our advisers, please see the latest Form ADV and Part 2 Brochures and our Client Relationship Summary https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/287487. For a copy of our Privacy Notice, please go here.

*Please note that the term "registered investment adviser" and description of our firm and/or our associates as "registered" does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

2020 Brickley Wealth Management. All rights reserved.
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