An investment adviser is an individual or company who’s paid for providing advice about securities to their clients. Investment advisers are not the same as financial advisors and should not be confused. An investment advisory is a firm that takes on clients and their assets and helps develop investment plans for those clients. An investment adviser is an individual or company who’s paid for providing advice about securities to their clients. Investment advisers are not the same as financial advisors and should not be confused. An investment advisory is a firm that takes on clients and their assets and helps develop investment plans for those clients.