An investment advisor (or investment adviser) is an individual or firm that advises clients on investment matters on a professional basis.
They tend to fall into two distinct categories:
investment advisors offering direct financial advice to individuals or businesses, or investment advisors offering asset management for (typically) corporate clients, hedge funds and/or mutual funds. Depending on the nature of the relationship, investment advisors charge fees calculated as a percentage (e.g., 1%) of assets under management, on an annual basis, an hourly or on a "flat fee" basis.
