Financial Advisor or Financial Adviser?

15^th December 2022

Do you know whether to call the person who helps you manage your finances a financial advisor or a financial adviser? You’re not alone – many people use the terms interchangeably.

The Associated Press Stylebook specifies “adviser” as the correct spelling. The Cambridge Essential British English Dictionary, however, lists both spellings as equally correct, with no difference in meaning.

While in some countries, there may be regulatory distinctions based on the spelling of terms like “financial adviser” and “financial advisor,” it’s worth emphasising that such distinctions do not exist in the United Kingdom, where both spellings are often used interchangeably to refer to professionals providing financial advice.

The spelling of the word “adviser” with an “e” has its origins in Middle English, where the word was spelled “aviser” or “adviser.” Early Modern English writers continued to use this spelling, and dictionaries and other reference books helped to standardise it in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The 19th century saw the emergence of the spelling “advisor” with an “o” in American English. This spelling was influenced by the Latin word “advisorem.” In Latin, the word was spelled with an “o” rather than an “e,” and this spelling was adopted in American English as a way to reflect the Latin origin of the word.

Although both spellings are correct, the word “adviser” is generally spelled with a “e” in the UK.

Other English-speaking nations like Australia, Canada, and India also spell the term “adviser” with an “e” in their language. These nations do not frequently use the spelling “advisor” with an “o.”

The spelling “advisor” with an “o” has however increased in popularity in the UK in recent years. This is largely due to the influence of global companies and brands that use the spelling “advisor” with an “o,” such as TripAdvisor.

Related Articles:
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Is my money safe with a financial adviser?

How much does a financial adviser cost?

Financial adviser vs. financial planner – is there a difference?

Is financial advice worth it?

The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the amount originally invested.

HM Revenue and Customs practice and the law relating to taxation are complex and subject to individual circumstances and changes which cannot be foreseen.

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