Financial Advisor vs Financial Planner vs Money Coach: Who Do You Actually Need?

You’re doing well with money. You make a good income. You’re responsible. And yet there’s this quiet feeling that you should have more clarity than you do. You know there are smarter moves you could be making. You just don’t know who to trust to help you figure them out. So you do what everyone does. You open your laptop and search for financial help, and suddenly you’re staring at a long list of titles that all sound important but don’t clearly explain what they actually do. Financial advisor. Financial planner. Money coach. Financial therapist. CPA. Credit counselor. It’s confusing, and choosing the wrong type of help can cost you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary frustration. In this episode, Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth, breaks down the five most common types of money professionals, what they actually do, how they get paid, and how to know which one makes sense for your situation right now. You’ll learn the difference between financial planning and financial coaching, when a CPA becomes essential, and why understanding how someone is compensated matters more than most people realize. Shari also explains what it means to work with a fiduciary, the red flags to watch for when interviewing professionals, and the exact questions you should ask before trusting someone with your money. This episode is not about collecting more experts. It’s about understanding who solves the problem you’re dealing with so you can get the right support at the right time. You’ll hear how to tell the difference between financial advisors, planners, coaches, therapists, counselors, and CPAs, when each type of professional makes sense, how they typically get paid, and how to choose someone who aligns with your goals and values. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of who to call for help, the confidence to ask smarter questions, and the reassurance that needing guidance with your money is normal, not a failure. If you’re ready for personalized, judgment-free financial guidance, learn more about working with Shari Rash, founder of GWA Wealth, at gwawealth.com Talkin’ Points → where your money gets smarter. Real talk, practical tips, zero guilt straight to your inbox. Sign up here. Be sure to like and follow the show on your favorite podcast app! Keep the conversation going on Instagram @everyonestalkinmoney Shari Rash is a financial planner and Investment Adviser Representative of GWA Wealth, a Registered Investment Adviser. The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Listening to this podcast does not create an advisory relationship with Shari Rash or GWA Wealth. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to specific investments, strategies, or securities are for illustrative purposes only and are not recommendations. You should consult your own financial advisor, tax professional, or attorney regarding your individual situation before making any financial decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Financial Advisor vs Financial Planner vs Money Coach: Who Do You Actually Need? is an episode from Millennial Money.

This episode is 35:25 long.

This episode was published on Mar 24, 2026.

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