Crucial Questions to Ask Financial Advisor

See what questions to ask as you interview a financial advisor, and WHY those questions are so important.

Some of the questions are below, and the video tells you more about each question and includes a few bonus questions.

☑️Are you a “fiduciary” with all clients at all times?
☑️How do you earn money?
☑️How long have you been working directly with clients?
☑️How often will we meet to discuss my finances?
☑️Do you have a clean regulatory background?
☑️What kind of experience do you have with goals like mine?
☑️What education and certifications do you have?
☑️Can you help with needs besides investment management (financial planning, conference call with my credit union to get answers on issues, etc.)? How does that work?
☑️What is your approach to investing and/or planning?
☑️For asset management clients, what is your typical client size?
☑️Will I work with you directly, or a junior advisor?

With this information, you can learn several things. You'll know if the advisor has the skills and experience to help you with whatever you have in mind (retirement planning, education funding, estate planning, etc.), and you'll find out if the person is a good fit for you. Most importantly, pay attention to HOW they answer questions. Are they happy to help you understand everything, or are they dodging difficult questions about compensation, etc.

Remember that you don't necessarily need to work with a financial advisor near you. If you're not finding the resources you need nearby, you can work with a financial planner by phone, video meetings, and other means.


For reference, I mentioned BrokerCheck in this video. You can begin an advisor's background search at BrokerCheck.finra.org.


From Justin Pritchard, CFP®, a fee-only financial advisor in Montrose, Colorado. This pairs with an article on the website: https://approachfp.com/what-to-ask-a-...

Approach Financial, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser in the state of Colorado and is licensed to do business in any state where registered or otherwise exempt from registration.