A financial consultant, also known as a financial advisor, offers advice about money management. They offer their services to individuals and businesses. Most people come to financial consultants looking for guidance on how to reach their long term financial goals, which may include a debt management plan, investment advice and/or developing a savings plan. A business will sometimes hire a financial consultant to get advice on managing money programs for its employees.

Couples will sometimes get advice from a financial consultant around the time they are planning to expand their family. They may have questions about how to get a good mortgage rate, when to start a college fund, or when to start saving for retirement. A financial consultant can offer guidance in all of these areas.

Corporations also sometimes need assistance in dealing with financial challenges. A business may turn to a financial consultant for help with budgeting issues, or for advice on how to manage the company's debt. Some companies will even have a financial consultant answer employees' questions about their benefits and retirement plan.