Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about becoming a TFA and using our platform

Investors & advisors
Free core tools (see terms)
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How TFA Compares to Other Platforms

Feature TFA FINRA BrokerCheck CFP Board SmartAsset SEC IAPD
Cost Many features free (see terms) Free Credential fees apply (CFP Board) Often paid marketing / leads ✅ Free
Performance Tracking ✅ Yes (market predictions) ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No
Client Reviews ✅ Verified reviews ❌ No ❌ No ⚠️ Limited ❌ No
Rankings ✅ Performance-based ❌ No rankings ❌ No rankings Varies by product ❌ No rankings
Regulatory Info Supplemental (links / education) ✅ Primary source ⚠️ Limited ⚠️ Basic ✅ Primary source
AI Tools ✅ Advanced analytics ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No ❌ No
Organization / tax status See site terms FINRA (SRO) Credential body (see CFP Board) For-profit company ⚠️ Government agency
Best Use Case Extra research after regulators Checking compliance Verifying CFP credential Getting matched (paid) Checking RIA status

The Smart Approach: Use Multiple Tools

  1. Step 1: Check FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC IAPD for regulatory compliance
  2. Step 2: Interview advisors and read Form ADV / firm materials
  3. Step 3: Verify CFP or CFA credentials if important to you
  4. Step 4: Use TFA only as one optional input—platform signals are not audited returns and do not replace your own diligence

Why use TFA at all: Regulators answer “licensed and disclosed.” TFA may add optional context (predictions, reviews, tools) you can weigh alongside interviews and professional judgment.

Getting Started

Essential information for new users and financial advisors

Quick Answer: TFA is a directory and tools program for financial professionals, with optional prediction and review features; many core areas are free—see terms for fees and eligibility.

Key Differences from Traditional Credentials:

Traditional Credentials
  • Study-based degrees
  • Expensive certification fees
  • Typically no optional third-party prediction log
  • Limited tools
TFA Certification
  • Program signals: Optional logged predictions and reviews (not audited client returns)
  • Free core access (where offered): Many features at no charge; optional paid tiers may apply
  • Transparent: Published methodology for directory features
  • AI-Enhanced: Advanced portfolio tools

Top 11 Reasons to Become TFA:

Reach investors browsing the directory and tools
Advanced AI tools for portfolio improvement
True Risk Profile assessment
“Highly Rated” visibility rules vary by market—see terms
Make and track market predictions
Weekly market analytics

Ready to get started?

Become a TFA Learn Requirements
Related Questions: How to become a TFA • Requirements • Ranking System
Quick Answer: You need valid credentials (CFA, CFP, CPA, etc.), serve at least 10 customers, and provide market vision at least once a year.

Requirements to Become TFA:

  • Valid credentials: CFA, CFP, CPA, CA, Risk Manager, Accountant, tax planner, or similar
  • OR at least five years experience in investment management
  • Currently serving: At least ten customers
  • Market vision: Provide your market predictions at least once every year

How Ranking Works:

  • The closer your market predictions are to reality, the higher you score
  • Number of clients you advise helps improve your score
  • Client reviews and feedback matter
  • Per published rules, fees are not used to buy a higher rank

Ready to apply?

Apply Now
Quick Answer: “Highly Rated” placement is competitive and uses published factors such as prediction activity, client satisfaction, and service metrics—exact rules vary by market; see terms.

Factors for High Rating:

  • Market predictions: Provide predictions for stocks, gold, oil regularly
  • Prediction accuracy: The closer to real market movements, the higher your ranking
  • Client base: Number of people you're advising
  • Accessibility: How easily accessible you are to clients
  • Client reviews: How your clients think of you
  • Credential validation: We manually validate your credentials
Some directories
  • May emphasize paid placement or ads
  • Visibility can follow marketing spend
  • Often little optional prediction history
TFA System
  • Performance-based rankings only
  • Merit-based visibility
  • Transparent performance tracking

How We Compare

How TFA relates to FINRA, the SEC, credentialing bodies, and other directories

Quick Answer: FINRA BrokerCheck is the official record for licensing and disclosures. TFA may show optional community signals (predictions, reviews) after you review FINRA materials—they are not substitutes for each other.

FINRA BrokerCheck and TFA — how they fit together

FINRA BrokerCheck (official)
  • Authoritative licensing, registration, and disclosure data
  • Employment history, exams, and arbitration awards as reported
  • Always use it before hiring or sending money
  • Does not host TFA’s optional prediction or review features
TFA (Trusted Financial Advisor)
  • Supplemental directory and education—not a regulator
  • Optional tools for logged predictions and client feedback
  • Published ranking methodology; many features free (see terms)
  • AI-assisted portfolio tools for planning workflows
  • Use only after you confirm licensing and disclosures on FINRA

Best practice:

Start with FINRA BrokerCheck (and SEC IAPD for RIAs) for licensing and disciplinary history. Use TFA afterward as one optional source of context—not a replacement for regulators or your own interviews.

Remember: Past prediction activity or reviews on any site are not a guarantee of future investment results.

Quick Answer: CFP and CFA are established credentials with their own requirements and costs (see CFP Board / CFA Institute). TFA is a separate directory program with optional signals; see terms for fees.

Traditional Certifications vs Performance-Based TFA

CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
  • Study-based certification
  • Program and exam costs vary—check CFP Board
  • Tests knowledge, not results
  • No ongoing performance tracking
  • Credential expires if fees not paid
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
  • Extremely rigorous study program
  • 3 levels, 900+ hours of study
  • Program and exam costs vary—check CFA Institute
  • Tests investment knowledge
  • No client performance tracking
✅ TFA (Trusted Financial Advisor)
  • ✅ Performance-based (real results matter)
  • Many features free; optional paid features—see terms
  • ✅ Tracks actual market predictions
  • ✅ Measures client satisfaction
  • ✅ Transparent public rankings
  • ✅ AI-enhanced tools included
  • ✅ Works WITH CFP/CFA (not instead of)

Key Insight:

CFP and CFA demonstrate professional standards set by those bodies. TFA is an optional channel to share additional context. Many advisors hold CFP or CFA credentials alongside TFA participation.

Quick Answer: Many consumer matchmaking sites earn revenue through advertising, introductions, or subscriptions—each company’s model differs. TFA publishes its methodology and terms; use regulators for licensing facts.

Consumer directories vs. TFA

Typical marketing / matchmaking sites
  • Business models vary; read each site’s disclosures
  • May prioritize paid introductions or ads
  • Usually not a substitute for FINRA or SEC records
  • Do your own interviews and fee comparisons
TFA (Trusted Financial Advisor)
  • Directory and tools with published ranking rules
  • Per published methodology, fees are not used to buy rank
  • Optional prediction logging and client feedback features
  • Credential checks are supplemental—verify with official bodies
  • Many features free; paid options may apply—see terms
  • AI-assisted analysis tools

Practical takeaway:

Compare how each site makes money, what data it shows, and how rankings are built. Regardless of directory, confirm licensing and disclosures on FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC IAPD and review Form ADV before you invest.

For clients: Your advisory relationship and fees are between you and the advisor—platform marketing copy is not investment advice.

Quick Answer: SEC IAPD is the official record for registered investment advisers. TFA may show optional signals (reviews, predictions) after you have confirmed licensing and disclosures yourself.

SEC IAPD and TFA — complementary roles

SEC IAPD (Investment Adviser Public Disclosure)
  • Authoritative regulatory filings and disciplinary history
  • Required disclosures for registered investment advisers
  • Use it together with BrokerCheck (as applicable) and state notices
  • Designed for compliance review, not third-party marketing scores
TFA (Trusted Financial Advisor)
  • Does not replace IAPD—you must review official filings
  • Optional prediction and review features for additional context
  • Directory rankings follow published methodology (see terms)
  • AI-assisted planning tools
  • Helpful only after IAPD/BrokerCheck diligence is complete

How to use both:

  1. Review SEC IAPD (and FINRA BrokerCheck when relevant) first
  2. Read Form ADV Part 2 and interview the advisor
  3. Optionally compare TFA signals alongside—not instead of—official data

TFA’s role: Supplemental education and tools. Investment outcomes depend on markets and your plan—not on any directory ranking.

For Financial Advisors

Information specifically for financial professionals

Quick Answer: Rankings depend on client count, accessibility, client satisfaction, credential validation, and market prediction accuracy.

Ranking Factors:

How many people are you advising?
How easily accessible are you to clients?
How do your clients think of you?
Manual validation of your credentials
How well can you predict markets?

Market Prediction Guidelines:

  • Provide market vision for stocks, gold, oil regularly
  • Closer predictions to reality = higher ranking
  • Quality predictions matter more than quantity
Quick Answer: Market Vision is where TFAs enter price targets to show clients prediction accuracy and compete for monthly prizes.

How Market Vision Works:

  • Every TFA can enter their price targets for various assets
  • Show clients how accurate your predictions were
  • TFA who comes closest to actuals gets prize money (Amazon gift cards)
  • Builds credibility with transparent track record

Benefits for Advisors:

  • Client Trust: Demonstrate your forecasting ability
  • Competitive Edge: Stand out with transparent prediction history (not a performance guarantee)
  • Recognition: Monthly winners get highlighted
  • Track Record: Build a public history of accuracy

Start making predictions

Market Vision
Quick Answer: TFA offers a public profile, optional prediction tools, and client-facing features so prospects can learn about you after you meet program requirements—results are not guaranteed.

Visibility and workflow:

  • Directory presence: Investors browsing the site may discover your profile
  • Your responsibility: You remain responsible for compliance with advertising and solicitation rules in your jurisdiction
  • Efficiency tools: Features such as scheduling or messaging depend on what is enabled in your account—see product docs
  • Program rules: “Highly Rated” and geographic rules are described in current terms

What TFA does not promise:

  • No guarantee of AUM growth, income, or number of leads
  • No substitute for your own marketing plan and client agreements
  • Optional analytics and reviews are informational—not an endorsement of future results
Quick Answer: Program accreditation may include brand assets and member resources described in current terms—not a government endorsement or guarantee against fraud or disputes.

TFA Accreditation Benefits:

Display TFA materials showing customer confidence
Optional reputation-oriented materials where the program offers them
Alerts about scams and frauds targeting your business
Dispute pathways described in Terms (not legal advice)
Raises business practices standards in your industry
Quick Answer: MoneyChoice focuses on shorter-term trading ideas; TFA focuses on longer-term advisory workflows—each serves different investor needs.

Platform Synergy:

MoneyChoice Focus
  • Short-term trading ideas
  • 1-2 week timeframes
  • Active trading strategies
  • Market timing insights
TFA Focus
  • Long-term financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Professional advisory services
  • Risk assessment and planning

Combined Value:

  • Addresses different horizons when used with independent research
  • Empowers financial professionals with better tools
  • Serves both active traders and long-term investors

For Clients

Information for clients seeking trusted financial advice

Quick Answer: Use regulators first, then interviews and contracts. TFA can add optional directory context (predictions, reviews, tools)—not a substitute for FINRA, SEC, or professional advice you hire separately.

Common research questions:

Transparency: Where can I see optional prediction history?
Context: How do I compare statements over time?
Credentials: Where should I verify licenses and marks?
Planning horizon: How do tools support different goals?
Choice: How do I evaluate more than one advisor?

What TFA can help with:

  • Program checks: Advisors must meet published onboarding requirements
  • Published methodology: Fees are not used to buy rank per current rules
  • Optional signals: Prediction and review features are informational only
  • Community platform: Client-focused tools and education
  • Hybrid approach: Human advisors with AI enhancement
Quick Answer: Use our Trading Planner and portfolio tracking tools to organize and monitor your investment ideas.

Available Tools:

  • Trading Planner: Organize and schedule your trades
  • Live Portfolio: Real-time portfolio tracking
  • Idea Zone: Collect and analyze investment ideas
  • Performance Tracking: Monitor your returns over time

Features Include:

  • Candlestick pattern analysis
  • Insider trading insights
  • Hedge fund activity tracking
  • Correlation analysis
  • Options strategies

Start tracking your ideas

Live Portfolio Trading Ideas
Quick Answer: Our platform provides candlestick pattern recognition and analysis tools to help identify trading opportunities.

Candlestick Analysis Features:

  • Pattern Recognition: Automatic identification of key patterns
  • Signal Strength: Reliability scoring for each pattern
  • Historical Performance: Back-testing pattern success rates
  • Real-time Alerts: Notifications when patterns form

Educational Resources:

  • Pattern explanation guides
  • Trading strategy tutorials
  • Risk management techniques
  • Market timing insights

Platform Features

Understanding the tools and capabilities available

Quick Answer: Track insider trading activity and use advanced timing tools to potentially enter positions before or at similar levels.

Insider Tracking Tools:

  • Real-time filings: SEC insider trading notifications
  • Pattern analysis: Historical insider behavior patterns
  • Volume analysis: Unusual trading volume before announcements
  • Price alerts: Notifications at key insider price levels

Strategic Advantages:

  • Early warning system for institutional moves
  • Understanding of insider confidence levels
  • Timing entry points based on insider activity
  • Risk management using insider exit points
Quick Answer: Use our correlation analysis tools to discover hidden relationships between stocks and sectors.

Correlation Analysis Features:

  • Real-time correlations: Dynamic relationship tracking
  • Historical patterns: Long-term relationship analysis
  • Sector relationships: Cross-industry connections
  • Event correlation: How stocks move during specific events

Practical Applications:

  • Pairs trading opportunities
  • Portfolio diversification optimization
  • Risk hedging strategies
  • Market timing insights

Explore correlations

Correlation Tool
Quick Answer: Access comprehensive options analysis including strategies, unusual activity tracking, and risk management tools.

Options Tools Available:

Options calculator and pricing models
Unusual options activity scanner
Volatility analysis and forecasting
Risk management tools

Strategy Categories:

  • Bullish strategies: Calls, bull spreads, covered calls
  • Bearish strategies: Puts, bear spreads, protective puts
  • Neutral strategies: Straddles, strangles, iron condors
  • Advanced strategies: Butterflies, ratios, synthetics

Security & Data

Information about data protection and platform security

Quick Answer: We use HTTPS (TLS), industry-standard safeguards for accounts and data, and optional OAuth sign-in. Read the Privacy Policy for how information is used and shared.

Security measures:

Optional Google/Facebook sign-in (OAuth) reduces password reuse risk
HTTPS (TLS) for data in transit; layered protections for stored data
Role-based access controls for staff and systems
Regular patching and monitoring as described in our security practices

Technical details:

  • Authentication: OAuth or passwords handled per current implementation
  • Transport security: TLS for browser sessions
  • Operational controls: Access logging, least-privilege permissions, vendor diligence where applicable
  • Privacy: Marketing use, cookies, and subprocessors are covered in the Privacy Policy—not summarized here as legal advice

Privacy commitment:

  • We do not use superlatives as a substitute for your reading of the Privacy Policy and Terms
  • Regulated users should confirm any firm-specific recordkeeping or archiving obligations independently
Quick Answer: “Best Advisor” follows the published methodology (prediction signals, satisfaction, responsiveness, credentials, etc.). Per current rules, fees are not used to buy rank—see methodology for weights and limits.

Ranking Algorithm Factors:

Market prediction accuracy over time
Number of active clients served
Client satisfaction and reviews
Accessibility and responsiveness
Verified credentials and experience
Published rule: fees are not used to buy rank

What We DON'T Consider:

  • Payment: Per published methodology, paying for placement is not how rank is determined
  • Marketing spend: Not a published ranking input
  • Firm size: Methodology focuses on published factors rather than brand scale
  • Integrity: Algorithm changes, if any, are communicated per site policy

Transparency Promise:

  • All ranking factors are publicly disclosed
  • Internal reviews of ranking inputs as described in governance materials
  • Community-driven transparency (see terms)
  • Real-time performance tracking