Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor

Below are a list of questions you should ask any financial advisor when you are considering working with their firm!



EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATION

  • How long have you been a financial advisor?
     
  • What is your educational experience and do you have any industry certifications?
     
  • Tell me about your experience, career progression, and previous employers.
     
  • Have you ever had an infraction or been disciplined by a regulatory authority?

     

INVESTMENT SERVICES

  • Can you describe your qualifications to manage money for other people?
     
  • What is your investment philosophy and process?
     
  • Will I receive a customized investment policy statement (IPS) that fits my risk tolerance and investment preferences?
     
  • How often do you review your portfolios?  How often do you provide investment reports and do you show performance on both a TWR and IRR basis?
     
  • Are your investments managed in the same fashion as your clients?
     
  • Do you use a recognizable third-party custodian to hold your client's assets?

     

PLANNING SERVICES

  • Do you provide financial planning services, please describe.
     
  • Are these services separately charged from your investment service?
     
  • Do you sell life insurance or other annuities as part of your financial planning service?

     

FEES & POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
 

  • How are you compensated and how much will my fee be?
     
  • Will all fees that are charged by you and the products you use be disclosed to me?
     
  • Do you accept commissions, revenue sharing, and/or soft dollars, will those costs be disclosed to me?
     
  • Are you compensated for selling products, proprietary or otherwise?
     
  • Are you an independent advisor or are you affiliated with a larger organization?
     
  • Are you a Fiduciary and are you willing to take a Fiduciary Oath?

 

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