Financial Advisor Training Institute
Financial Advisor Training Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a 100% online 14-week certification program that trains aspiring financial advisors for licensure and guarantees job placement with 150+ employer partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersBloomfield Hills, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Financial Advisor Training Institute does
Financial Advisor Training Institute (FATI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, founded circa 2019 to address a projected shortfall of approximately 200,000 retail financial advisors in the United States (per a 2022 Moss Adams estimate cited by the company). FATI delivers a 100% online, 14-week accelerated certification program comprising four units and 14 chapters with roughly 300 hours of industry-specific training, covering licensing preparation (SIE, Series 7, Series 66, and Life & Health Insurance), business development, and practical knowledge. The organization also offers modular unit-level enrollment, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) preparation course, a Career Readiness Assessment, and an employer-sponsored Financial Advisor Development Course.
FATI's go-to-market is sales-led and direct: prospective students engage via the company website, a 3-minute career readiness quiz, live group info sessions, and phone outreach. Pricing is per-unit ($2,400-$6,600 cash, with private student loan options at ~20% premium) or full-program with $0-down and payments deferred until employment. Revenue is supplemented by donations, grants (minimum $25), foundation memberships (from $500), and employer tuition reimbursement. Distribution relies on direct online enrollment plus partnerships with industry recruiters (Terrana Group, BrokerHunter) and study-material provider Kaplan.
On the placement side, FATI guarantees job placement with a $50,000 minimum base salary, leveraging relationships with 50+ broker-dealers and 150+ employer partners including Ameriprise, Charles Schwab, Bank of America, Fidelity, Merrill Lynch, LPL Financial, Wells Fargo, Morgan Stanley, and Edward Jones. The organization claims graduates achieve a 4x industry survival rate and 2.5-3 years of earnings acceleration. In March 2024, FATI became the first and only Financial Advisor training institute to receive formal recognition as a career school under Michigan's Proprietary Schools Act. CEO Terry Lindner, with 32+ years of financial services experience, is the public face of the organization and primary live instructor.
Financial Advisor Training Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Financial Advisor Training Institute
- Legal name
- Financial Advisor Training Institute
- Website
- https://financialadvisortraininginstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Financial Advisor Training Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering a 100% online 14-week certification program that trains aspiring financial advisors for licensure and guarantees job placement with 150+ employer partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Financial Advisor Training Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Financial Services Education & Certification Training
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (61171), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Securities & Investment Licensing Exam Prep (FINRA Series 7/63/65/66, SIE) (EDANAIAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Finance, Banking & Capital Markets (EDAAAPAG), Financial Services & Insurance (FINRA, CFP, IAR, Insurance CE) (EDAAALAJ)
Keywords
Where Financial Advisor Training Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bloomfield Hills
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Financial Advisor Training Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition - Unit 1 (Life and Health Insurance): Unit 1 covers Life and Health Insurance licensing plus Business Development and Practical Knowledge. Offered at $2,400 for cash payment or $2,880 via private student loan.
- Tuition - Unit 2 (SIE): Unit 2 covers Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) registration plus Business Development and Practical Knowledge. Offered at $2,800 for cash payment or $3,360 via private student loan.
- Tuition - Unit 3 (Series 7): Unit 3 covers Series 7 licensing plus Business Development and Practical Knowledge. Offered at $6,600 for cash payment or $7,920 via private student loan.
- Full Program Tuition: Complete certification program tuition with guaranteed job placement. Payment plans start with $0 down with payments beginning after employment.
- Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Many financial firms recruiting FATI graduates offer tuition reimbursement, offsetting program costs for employed graduates.
- Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, FATI accepts donations to provide grants to students to defray training costs. Minimum donations of $25.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Unit 1: Life and Health Insurance Licensing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Unit 2: SIE Registration |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Unit 3: Series 7 License |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Full Certification Program (14 weeks) |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donations/Grants for Students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Financial Advisor Training Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Financial Advisor Training Institute (FATI) delivers a 14-week, 100% online Financial Advisor certification program covering licensing preparation (SIE, Series 7, Series 66, Life and Health Insurance), business development, and practical knowledge. The curriculum includes nearly 300 hours of instruction across 4 units and 14 chapters, with guaranteed job placement and Series 7 exam sponsorship through a network of 50+ broker-dealers and 150+ employer partners.
Product overview
The Financial Advisor Training Institute offers a modular online training platform for becoming a certified Financial Advisor. The core product is a 14-week accelerated certification program comprising 4 units (14 chapters) with nearly 300 hours of industry-specific training. Units can be purchased individually (Life & Health Insurance Licensing at $2,400, SIE at $2,800, Series 7 at $6,600, Series 66) or as a complete package. The curriculum integrates licensing/registration prep (SIE, Series 7, Series 66, Life & Health), business development training, and practical knowledge. Supplemental offerings include CFP preparation, career readiness assessments, employer-sponsored training programs, and career placement services through partnerships with BrokerHunter and Terrana Group. Exam preparation is enhanced through a Kaplan study materials partnership. The institute guarantees job placement with over 50 partner broker-dealers upon completion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Financial Advisor Training Course (Full Program) A 14-week online certification program with 4 units and 14 chapters covering nearly 300 hours of industry-specific training including licensing/registration prep, business development, and practical knowledge. Targets aspiring financial advisors and guarantees job placement upon completion.
- Unit 1: Life and Health Insurance Licensing Covers state Life and Health Insurance licensing requirements plus business development and practical knowledge. Tuition: $2,400 cash or $2,880 via private student loan. Sold as a standalone unit for those not ready for the full program.
- Unit 2: Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) Registration Covers SIE exam preparation and FINRA registration, plus business development and practical knowledge. Tuition: $2,800 cash or $3,360 via private student loan. Sold as a standalone unit.
- Unit 3: Series 7 Licensing Covers Series 7 General Securities Representative license exam preparation, plus business development and practical knowledge. Tuition: $6,600 cash or $7,920 via private student loan. Sold as a standalone unit.
- Unit 4: Series 66 Licensing Covers Series 66 Uniform Combined State Law Examination preparation and Investment Adviser Representative registration, plus business development and practical knowledge. Sold as a standalone unit.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Preparation Course Preparation course for CFP certification including coursework, CFP exam prep (170 multiple-choice questions), apprenticeship opportunity guidance, and code of ethics training. For aspiring CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals.
- Financial Advisor Development Course for Employers Employer-sponsored program where financial firms source and sponsor candidates who enroll in FATI, get licensed, develop industry knowledge, and receive business development training before onboarding as qualified Financial Advisors. Sells FATI's training to financial firms as a talent development pipeline.
Quantifiable outcome
- Graduates achieve 4x survival rate compared to industry average
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Financial Advisor Training Institute
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Financial Advisor Training Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Financial Advisor Training Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Terrana GroupcoreSpecialized financial advisor recruiting partnership providing FATI students with career-matching services, exclusive job opportunities not available through public channels, workshops, counseling sessions, and networking with industry professionals. Terrana Group connects students with influential mentors prior to graduation.
- KaplancoreStrategic collaboration providing FATI students with Kaplan's certified financial advisor study guides for SIE, Series 7, Series 65, and Series 66 exams. Kaplan provides textbooks, question banks, practice exams, diagnostic tools, and expert instructor support. Partnership has demonstrably elevated student pass rates.
- BrokerHuntercoreStrategic partnership connecting FATI graduates with financial advisor positions through BrokerHunter's career platform. Provides real-time market data, job opportunities, personalized job matching, exclusive career support, and access to workshops and webinars. BrokerHunter offers FATI graduates exclusive job alerts, resume tips, and direct employer contacts.
- Ameriprise Financial ServicesmajorPartner company in FATI's network of 150+ companies providing guaranteed job placement for graduates. FATI prepares candidates specifically for careers at Ameriprise through tailored curriculum and networking opportunities.
- Charles SchwabmajorPartner company in FATI's network providing guaranteed job placement for graduates. FATI provides specialized training preparing candidates for careers at Charles Schwab.
- Fidelity InvestmentsmajorPartner company in FATI's network providing guaranteed job placement for graduates. FATI's curriculum is aligned with Fidelity's standards and provides networking opportunities with Fidelity insiders.
- LPL FinancialmajorPartner company in FATI's network providing guaranteed job placement for graduates. LPL is one of the independent broker-dealers that sponsors FATI students for the Series 7 exam.
- Merrill LynchmajorPartner company in FATI's network providing guaranteed job placement for graduates. FATI provides tailored training and networking opportunities for careers at Merrill Lynch.
- Bank of AmericamajorPartner company in FATI's network providing guaranteed job placement for graduates. FATI prepares candidates for careers in the Bank Channel.
- Wells FargomajorStrategic partnership for placing FATI graduates as financial advisors. FATI provides 14-week training aligned with Wells Fargo's hiring standards, including coaching from instructors with Wells Fargo experience.
- Morgan StanleymajorStrategic partnership for placing FATI graduates as financial advisors. FATI's comprehensive curriculum prepares graduates for opportunities at Morgan Stanley.
- Edward JonesmajorStrategic partnership for placing FATI graduates as financial advisors. FATI's curriculum aligns with Edward Jones' client-centric values and provides specialized preparation for Edward Jones requirements.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Financial Advisor Training Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- New York Institute of Finance: NYIF delivers professional finance courses covering capital markets, investment management, and licensing. Comparable to FATI in delivering career-track financial services training for adult learners.
- Knopman Marks Financial Training: Provides licensing prep (SIE, Series 7, 63, 65, 66) and firm-specific training programs for broker-dealers. Competes with FATI on the licensing-prep curriculum side, particularly via in-house firm offerings.
- Pass Perfect: Pass Perfect offers self-paced and live FINRA exam prep courses (SIE, Series 7, 63, 65, 66) plus continuing education. Direct competitor in the licensing-prep segment FATI serves.
- Securities Training Corporation: STC provides FINRA licensing exam preparation (SIE, Series 6, 7, 24, 63, 65, 66) for individuals and broker-dealers. Directly comparable to FATI's licensing-prep core offering, though without the integrated job placement guarantee.
- American College of Financial Services: Provides professional designations (CFP, ChFC, CLU) and graduate-level financial services education. Comparable to FATI's CFP preparation track and broader mission of moving career-changers into advisory roles.
Emerging players
- Achievable: Achievable provides online prep for financial-services licensing exams including SIE and Series exams. A smaller, modern direct competitor in the same licensing-prep category FATI serves.
- Bionic Turtle: Bionic Turtle specializes in risk and quantitative finance training (FRM, PRM, CFA prep). Adjacent rather than directly overlapping, but comparable as a niche online certification provider for finance professionals.
- Whizlabs: Whizlabs offers affordable online certification prep across cloud, IT, and financial-services domains. Comparable as a self-paced exam-prep alternative to FATI's licensing curriculum.
Others
- Brightwood Real Estate Education: Online state-approved licensing education for real estate and adjacent professional credentials. Comparable as a state-licensed, online, career-launch training model serving adult career-changers, though in an adjacent vertical.
Broad incumbents
- Kaplan Financial Education: Kaplan offers broader financial-services education including licensing prep, CFP, CFA, and insurance continuing education. It is also FATI's content partner, illustrating the overlap between broad-incumbent positioning and direct competition for licensing students.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Financial Advisor Training Institute compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Financial Advisor Training Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Financial Advisor Training Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Financial Advisor Training Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Financial Advisor Training Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Financial Advisor Training Institute
What does Financial Advisor Training Institute do?
Financial Advisor Training Institute (FATI) delivers a 14-week, 100% online Financial Advisor certification program covering licensing preparation (SIE, Series 7, Series 66, Life and Health Insurance), business development, and practical knowledge. The curriculum includes nearly 300 hours of instruction across 4 units and 14 chapters, with guaranteed job placement and Series 7 exam sponsorship through a network of 50+ broker-dealers and 150+ employer partners.
Is Financial Advisor Training Institute a public or private company?
Financial Advisor Training Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Financial Advisor Training Institute founded?
Financial Advisor Training Institute was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Financial Advisor Training Institute based?
Financial Advisor Training Institute is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, United States, in the North America region.
How does Financial Advisor Training Institute make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Tuition - Unit 1 (Life and Health Insurance) is the primary driver. The others are tuition - Unit 2 (SIE), tuition - Unit 3 (Series 7), full Program Tuition, employer Tuition Reimbursement and donations and Grants.
Who are Financial Advisor Training Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are New York Institute of Finance, Knopman Marks Financial Training, Pass Perfect, Securities Training Corporation and American College of Financial Services. Emerging players are Achievable, Bionic Turtle and Whizlabs. Brightwood Real Estate Education is listed as an others. Kaplan Financial Education is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Financial Advisor Training Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Financial Advisor Training Institute.
What industry is Financial Advisor Training Institute in?
Financial Advisor Training Institute's product category is Financial Services Education & Certification Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAIAJ, Securities & Investment Licensing Exam Prep (FINRA Series 7/63/65/66, SIE), with a secondary code of EDAAAPAG, Finance, Banking & Capital Markets. Its NAICS code is 61171 and its SIC code is 8200.