With the recent rise of social media influencers and self-proclaimed investment gurus, the lines between informed financial advice and reckless speculation have become increasingly blurred. Many individuals are now dispensing investment advice without proper training, expertise, or even an understanding of financial markets. Unfortunately, this has led to an alarming increase in investment scams and fraudulent schemes, leaving many unsuspecting investors vulnerable to financial ruin.
In this context, it is important to understand the benefit of engaging with a qualified investment advisor in today’s complex financial landscape. A reliable investment advisor can help you navigate the ever-changing investment setup and provide you with a personalized strategy that is tailored to your specific needs and goals. They can also help you avoid common investment pitfalls, such as emotional decision-making, market volatility, and investment scams.
Let’s read more about who is a SEBI-registered investment advisor.
Who is an investment advisor?
The SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013 defines an investment advisor as an individual offering investment advice to clients, other individuals, or groups of individuals for a fee. It is important to note that investment advisors are distinct from financial advisors. While financial advisors may provide investment advice, they may also offer other services such as tax planning, retirement planning, and insurance planning. In contrast, investment advisors specifically provide advice and recommendations related to securities and investment products.
Scope of SEBI-Registered Investment Advisor in India
Here are the key points highlighting the scope of investment advisor’s role in India:
Providing Investment Advice: As a SEBI-registered investment advisor, you can provide professional investment advice to your clients. Your expertise and knowledge in the field allow you to offer guidance on investment opportunities, portfolio management, risk assessment, and financial planning
Risk Profiling: One of the crucial responsibilities of SEBI-registered investment advisors is to assess investors’ risk profiles. They evaluate whether an investor is comfortable with high-risk, medium-risk, or low-risk investments
Investor Protection: The compliance procedures and eligibility requirements ensure that only competent professionals are eligible to provide optimal investment advice to clients.
Regulatory Compliance: SEBI-registered investment advisors must comply with the regulations set forth by SEBI. Advisors must also stay updated with the latest regulatory changes and adhere to the guidelines provided by SEBI.
Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: SEBI-registered investment advisors continuously monitor and evaluate their clients’ portfolios. They review the performance of investments, assess market conditions, and make necessary adjustments to align the portfolios with the client’s goals and risk preferences.
Who is a registered investment advisor?
A SEBI-registered investment advisor is an individual or entity that has obtained registration from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to provide investment advice and related services to clients in India. Introducing the SEBI investment advisor regulations ensured that investors are not duped by unscrupulous individuals or entities that claim to be investment advisors but lack the necessary qualifications, expertise and experience.
SEBI has issued guidelines for investment advisors, which provide detailed requirements for registration, ongoing compliance, and business conduct for registered investment advisors. Read them below.
How to become SEBI registered investment advisor?
SEBI has laid out specific eligibility criteria that must be met to become a registered investment advisor. These criteria help ensure that only qualified and experienced individuals can provide investment advice and related services in the securities market.
Firstly, the individual or entity must hold a professional degree in finance, accounting, business management, economics, or a related field and possess a postgraduate degree or diploma in finance or a related field. In addition, the individual must pass the NISM Series-X-A: Investment Adviser (Level 1) Examination or any other examination approved by SEBI, as well as the NISM-Series-X-B: Investment Adviser (Level 2) certification.
The individual or entity must have at least five years of experience in activities related to the securities market, such as fund management, advisory services and more.
Finally,minimum net worth requirements must be met by individuals, partnership firms, and companies to register as investment advisors. The net worth of individuals must be at least Rs. 5,00,000, while the net worth of partnership firms and companies should be a minimum of Rs. 50,00,000.
Besides the above-mentioned criteria, to apply for registration as an Investment Adviser, the applicant must submit Form A along with all required supporting documents to SEBI, as specified in the SEBI investment advisor regulations.
- The applicant can expect to hear back from SEBI within a month after submitting their application. Nevertheless, the duration of the registration process is subject to the applicant’s adherence to all registration criteria and the provision of comprehensive and accurate information.
- The applicant should submit the following as part of their application process:
- Provide all the required information, sign and stamp Form A
- A bank draft for Rs. 5,000/- in favour of ‘The Securities and Exchange Board of India,’ payable in Mumbai as the application fee.
1,00,000, and individual applicants need to pay Rs. 10,000.
If the applicant fulfils these requirements, SEBI approves the application and issues a registration certificate (after you pay a registration fee). Corporate applicants need to pay Rs.
Fee structure for the applicant with SEBI
|
Type of applicant
|
Non-refundable application fees (INR)
|
Registration fee (INR)
|
|---|---|---|
|
Individuals and firms
|
2,000
|
3,000
|
|
Corporate bodies, including LLPs
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10,000
|
15,000
|
The certificate of registration granted under regulation 9 shall be valid until it is suspended or cancelled by the Board.
Note: Once you become a SEBI-registered investment advisor, you must comply with SEBI guidelines, such as maintaining client confidentiality, disclosing conflicts of interest, and providing fair and transparent advice.
Conclusion
Investing can be complex, but by seeking the services of a SEBI-registered investment advisor, you can make informed investment decisions that will help you achieve your financial aspirations and secure your financial future. SEBI-registered investment advisors are required to pass stringent examinations and demonstrate knowledge and expertise, ensuring that your investments are in safe hands.
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FAQ
- What is the minimum qualification for a SEBI-registered investment advisor?An individual must fulfil the minimum qualification and certification requirements specified under regulation 7(1) and regulation 7(2) of SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulations, 2013, to become a SEBI-registered investment advisor. The minimum qualification requirement is a post-graduate degree in finance, commerce, economics, or business management from a recognized university. Additionally, the individual must hold a professional certification from NISM (National Institute of Securities Markets) or any other organization approved by SEBI.
- How much does a SEBI-registered investment advisor earn?The earnings of a SEBI-registered investment advisor depend on various factors, such as the number of clients, the services offered, and the fees charged. Investment advisors may charge a fixed fee or a percentage of the assets under management as their advisory fee. The advisory fee typically ranges between 1% to 2% of the assets under management. However, the exact earnings can vary depending on the advisor's experience, reputation, and client type.
- What does a SEBI-registered investment advisor do?A SEBI-registered investment advisor provides investment advice to clients and assists them in making informed investment decisions. The advisor also helps clients create an investment portfolio that aligns with their financial goals and risk appetite.
