What is a Register Investment Advisor?

These days, investors have quite a variety of firms to choose from to help them manage their money.  Financial planning firms, banks, mutual fund companies, insurance companies, trust companies, investment management firms...it can sometimes be difficult to determine just who to choose.  And to confuse matters more, our next guest says that he's noticed a growing number of firms are becoming Registered Investment Advisors or RIAs.
 
Mike Switzer interviews Doug English, a certified financial planner with Carolinas Retirement Specialists in Charleston, SC.
Related Link: http://www.finra.org/Investors/ToolsCalculators/BrokerCheck/