Financial Advisor

Becoming a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual offers a unique opportunity to start your own business and help clients achieve their financial goals through comprehensive planning. Your journey begins as a financial representative, focusing on client acquisition and obtaining necessary licenses. Our award-winning training program equips you with the education, skills, and development strategies needed to succeed in building a financial planning practice centered on:

• Planning Experience
• Asset & Income Protection
• Education Funding
• Investment & Advisory Services
• Trust Services
• Retirement Solutions
• Business Needs Analysis

Using Northwestern Mutual’s proprietary planning software, you will educate clients and deliver holistic financial plans that include investments, insurance, and annuities—helping you make a significant impact on your clients and community. As a business owner, you can tailor your workday to fit your life and unlock unlimited earning potential through a performance-based compensation structure.

We support diverse paths to start, build, and grow your practice, whether that means opening an office, joining a sophisticated team, or becoming an advanced advisor.

As a financial advisor, you will:

• Grow your client base through networking, referrals, and delivering excellent client service
• Create personalized, holistic financial plans tailored to each client’s needs
• Manage and update client financial plans to help achieve their goals
• Build long-term relationships to support clients through all life stages

Northwestern Mutual is recognized for its well-trained sales force. We are committed to your ongoing professional development, starting with an award-winning curriculum designed for your first three years. This includes industry expert sessions, client acquisition strategies, and mentorship from experienced advisors.

To become a financial advisor, you must obtain licenses including Life/Accident & Health, Securities Industry Essentials (SIE), and Series 6, 7, and 63. Northwestern Mutual offers pre-payment/reimbursement for course tuition and books.*

• Performance-based earnings with average advisor annual income of $61K-$119K and top quartile earning $137K-$250K (based on  data)
• Additional income streams supporting training and development
• Renewal income from ongoing client support
• Bonuses, expense allowances, and licensing support
• Company-funded retirement and pension plans
• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Parental benefits at all stages of family planning #LI-Onsite

Ideal candidates will have:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Entrepreneurial spirit and interest in owning a business
• Proven success in relationship-building or client-facing roles
• Excellent time-management and communication skills
• A desire for continuous learning and collaboration
• Strong critical thinking and motivation
• Legal authorization to work in the US without sponsorship

Our Financial Advisors are valued partners and considered independent contractors for tax purposes, with some being statutory employees for FICA contributions.

Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries, based in Milwaukee, WI, include NM, NLTC, NMIS, and NMWMC, and are registered with FINRA and SIPC.

* Minimum three years of service at Northwestern Mutual required for the pre-payment/reimbursement program.

1 Revenue figures are based on data from ; income is not guaranteed and includes commissions, bonuses, and fees.

2 CFP certification is licensed by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.

3 Financial Representatives are independent contractors; a background check is required for contract approval.

USD $61,000 - $250,000 annually.