what is an investment adviser 
an investment adviser also known as a stock broker is any person or group that makes investment recommendations or conducts securities analysis in return for a fee whether through direct management of clients assets or by way of written publications the precise definition of the term was established through the investment advisers act of 1940 1an investment adviser with sufficient assets to be registered with the securities and exchange commission sec is known as a registered investment adviser ria 2 investment advisers are also referred to as financial advisors and can alternatively be spelled as investment advisors or financial advisors 