How To Choose A Financial Advisor - Due Diligence Simplified (2024)

How To Choose A Financial Advisor - Due Diligence Simplified (1)

Click here to download the transcript of Michael's best tips for choosing a financial advisor!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

It's hard to know how to choose a financial advisor.

There is so much value at stake; yet, how can you tell the experts from the charlatans?

Who can you trust? How do you really know?

After all, you are busy with kids, a career, and life. You want to be able to trust someone to make sure your financial planning is on track, but it's a den of thieves out there.

Adding confusion to concern are all the sound-alike titles such as brokers, registered investment advisors, certified financial planners, financial coaches, and financial consultants to describe similar services. Who can tell the difference?

It's time to pull back the curtain on all the techno-babble so that you can find the best financial advisors and eliminate the posers.

In this episode I'll give you a step-by-step due diligence process for how to choose a financial advisor that fits your needs.

Related:How Your Financial Advisor is Taking 75% of Your Retirement Income (or More!) Video, PDF download, or Audio.

You will learn how to sort your way through the maze of confusion so that you can get the expert help you need to reach your financial goals… without getting ripped off.

In this episode you will discover:

  • Why the starting point to choosing a financial advisor is looking inward.
  • How to match your specific needs to the right specialist (not all advisors are created equal).
  • Why the common practice of using referrals is dangerously flawed.
  • The 4 advisor compensation models and how each impacts the advice you receive.
  • Form ADV disclosure, what it says, and how to get one from your advisor.
  • 6 different financial planner search sites so you can pick the right professional for your needs.
  • Why the “fee only” compensation model means different things in different situations (this is important!).
  • How to analyze a financial advisor web site.
  • Whether or not it is even relevant to meet your advisor face-to-face any more.
  • Where the future of financial advice is heading (this may surprise you!)
  • How to understand the hidden financial incentives hiding behind the advice your receive.
  • A checklist of quality factors to use when judging your financial advisor.
  • What “assets under management” really says about your advisor, and why it's not an important quality indicator.
  • How to know the difference between CFP, CPA, PFS, RIA, CFA, and CHFC. (Yikes!!)
  • Why all these professional designations imply little about investment skill.
  • The surprising reason financial advisors don't provide investment track records.
  • Why GIPS audited track records are rare (guess what? It's the same reason they are the gold standard in performance disclosure).
  • Why there is no perfect advisor compensation model (each has an Achilles Heal that you must watch out for).
  • The key difference between the suitability standard and fiduciary responsibility (well worth knowing).
  • and much more….

Resources and Links Mentioned in this Session Include:

  • Michael's financial advisory business site is Pinnacle Advisory Group.
  • Michael's personal site is at Kitces.Com and his blog is the Nerd's Eye View.
  • Here's a listing of some of our more popular financial and investment due diligence articles to supplement these insights.
  • My 7 Steps To 7 Figures Wealth Building Course.
  • You can learn more about my financial coaching services here.
  • My article explaining how different compensation models bias the financial advice your receive.
  • My tutorial directory of articles about financial advice related topics.
  • Plannersearch.org for finding a CFP in your area associated with the Financial Planning Association.
  • NAPFA.org for fee-only financial advisors (could be asset based or hourly).
  • GarretPlanningNetwork.com for locating exclusively hourly fee advisors for asking a few questions.
  • BrokerCheck.FINRA.Org to look for enforcement violations against your advisor.
  • Brightscope.com for advisor due diligence and disclosures.

Help Out The Show:

The feedback on these podcasts has been great so thank you.

5 star reviews increase the show's rank and help more people benefit from the message.

Please take the time to leave a review. It really helps a lot and I read every review. Thanks!

Click here to subscribe to the show on ITunes and leave a review…

Alternatively, this link below will help you subscribe and leave a review on your device…

Click here to subscribe and leave a review from inside your iTunes account…

Thanks for your support and I hope you enjoyed this episode. Please let me know what you think in the comments below…

Invest Like Todd!

A better investment strategy than buy and hold - Makes more by risking less

Discover the scientific investment process Todd developed during his hedge fund days that he still uses to manage his own money today. It’s all simplified for you in this turn-key system that takes just 30 minutes per month.

Learn more… »

Want a transcript of this podcast? We'll email it!

Related...

10 Commandments of Investment Strategy

12 Deadly Investment Mistakes You Must Avoid

6 Disturbing Truths Your Financial Expert Won't Disclose… But Should

7 Key Reasons Why Financial Education Is Your Best Investment

Due Diligence Checklist To Prevent Investment Fraud

Five "Must Ask" Due Diligence Questions Before Making Any Investment

FM 008: The Shocking Truth About The Financial Advice Business With Jeff Rose

Four Stages To Consistently Profitable Investing

Peer To Peer Lending Review - Dangers Revealed

Reduce Your Risk by Increasing Leverage - 5 Uncommon Strategies

The Solution To Investment Losses

Warning: How Wall Street Takes Your Money - Legally!

How To Choose A Financial Advisor - Due Diligence Simplified (2024)

FAQs

When choosing a financial advisor What should you look for? ›

If you're considering hiring a financial planner or advisor, it's important to not only look at that person's credentials, but also at factors such as their experience, communication style and how the advisor is compensated.

What is the most important attribute when selecting a financial advisor? ›

In one of the articles I've read in the finance strategists website, the key qualities of a financial advisor include trustworthiness, expertise, effective communication, adaptability, and a client-centric approach.

How much money do I need to justify a financial advisor? ›

Some traditional financial advisors have minimum investment amounts they require to work with clients. These can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or even more. Why? Because their fees need to cover their time and expertise, and managing smaller portfolios may not be cost-effective for them.

How do I know if a financial advisor is legit? ›

To Search for a Licensed Investment Advisor:

You can use FINRA's BrokerCheck database to research the background and experience of financial brokers, advisers and firms. You also can check if an investment adviser is registered with the SEC.

How do you judge a financial advisor? ›

How To Evaluate Your Financial Advisor
  1. Learn exactly what you are paying. ...
  2. Discuss fee transparency. ...
  3. Understand your investment costs. ...
  4. Get a list of the services you should be receiving. ...
  5. Check your advisor's background. ...
  6. Make sure you are getting leading-edge advice. ...
  7. Confirm that your advisor has no conflicts of interest.
Jan 6, 2019

What percentage is normal for a financial advisor? ›

On average, you can expect to pay between 0.5% and 2% of your total assets under management annually, $150 to $400 per hour, or a flat fee ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 for a comprehensive financial plan.

Is 2% fee high for a financial advisor? ›

Answer: From a regulatory perspective, it's usually prohibited to ever charge more than 2%, so it's common to see fees range from as low as 0.25% all the way up to 2%, says certified financial planner Taylor Jessee at Impact Financial.

Is 1% too high for a financial advisor? ›

On average, financial advisors charge between 0.59% and 1.18% of assets under management for their asset management. At 1%, an advisor's fee is well within the industry average. Whether that fee is too much or just right depends entirely on what you think of the advisor's services and performance.

At what income is a financial advisor worth it? ›

Depending on the net worth advisor you choose, you generally should consider hiring an advisor when you have between $50,000 - $1,000,000, but most prefer to start working with clients when they have between $100,000 - $500,000 in liquid assets.

How can I tell if a financial advisor is a fiduciary? ›

1 – Ask them directly: A genuine fiduciary will straightforwardly affirm their role and commitment to act in your best interests. 2 – Review the advisor's credentials: Certifications such as CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) or AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary) often indicate a fiduciary standard.

What should financial advisors avoid? ›

If a financial advisor you previously trusted exhibits any of these behaviors, it is worth having a conversation with them or even considering changing advisors altogether.
  • They Ignore Your Spouse. ...
  • They Talk Down to You. ...
  • They Put Their Interests Before Yours. ...
  • They Won't Return Your Calls or Emails.

How do you know you can trust a financial advisor? ›

One easy way to ensure you're working with a trustworthy financial advisor is to choose a professional who is already required to act as a fiduciary. Financial advisors who are registered with the SEC are required to have a fiduciary duty to their clients.

What questions to ask a financial advisor? ›

Questions to ask a financial advisor
  • How will we work together? ...
  • How will you communicate with me, and how often? ...
  • What services do you provide? ...
  • What's your investment philosophy? ...
  • How will you track my investment performance? ...
  • What professional experience do you have? ...
  • What resources will I have when working with you?

At what net worth should I get a financial advisor? ›

Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.

How do you know if a financial advisor is worth it? ›

When weighing an advisor's fee, consider your desired return on investment. Ask an advisor if they're fee-based or fee-only. Question any advisor who doesn't share information about fees. Review the fees you're paying annually and compare them to the services you're receiving.

What is the most important thing for a financial advisor? ›

They have a passion for the subject and are curious about their clients and the changes in the industry.
  1. Passion for Financial Planning and Wealth Management. ...
  2. Deep Analytical Ability. ...
  3. Ability To Market Yourself. ...
  4. Putting a Client's Interests First. ...
  5. Curiosity.

Top Articles
What to Do if You're Failing a Class in College | BestColleges
Limitation of Liability Definition | Legal Glossary | LexisNexis
This website is unavailable in your location. – WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta
Melson Funeral Services Obituaries
My E Chart Elliot
South Park Season 26 Kisscartoon
877-668-5260 | 18776685260 - Robocaller Warning!
Lost Ark Thar Rapport Unlock
Autobell Car Wash Hickory Reviews
Sportsman Warehouse Cda
His Lost Lycan Luna Chapter 5
Delectable Birthday Dyes
About Goodwill – Goodwill NY/NJ
Encore Atlanta Cheer Competition
104 Presidential Ct Lafayette La 70503
Diablo 3 Metascore
Char-Em Isd
Sam's Club La Habra Gas Prices
Q Management Inc
Aldi Süd Prospekt ᐅ Aktuelle Angebote online blättern
Urban Airship Expands its Mobile Platform to Transform Customer Communications
How Much You Should Be Tipping For Beauty Services - American Beauty Institute
Veracross Login Bishop Lynch
27 Paul Rudd Memes to Get You Through the Week
Slim Thug’s Wealth and Wellness: A Journey Beyond Music
Roane County Arrests Today
E32 Ultipro Desktop Version
Why Are Fuel Leaks A Problem Aceable
Walmart Pharmacy Near Me Open
800-695-2780
Table To Formula Calculator
Vht Shortener
30+ useful Dutch apps for new expats in the Netherlands
Craftsman Yt3000 Oil Capacity
Craigslist Middletown Ohio
Renfield Showtimes Near Marquee Cinemas - Wakefield 12
The value of R in SI units is _____?
Bt33Nhn
Morlan Chevrolet Sikeston
Mgm Virtual Roster Login
Hisense Ht5021Kp Manual
8005607994
That1Iggirl Mega
COVID-19/Coronavirus Assistance Programs | FindHelp.org
Southwest Airlines Departures Atlanta
The Nikki Catsouras death - HERE the incredible photos | Horror Galore
Dyi Urban Dictionary
The Bold and the Beautiful
Jackerman Mothers Warmth Part 3
Noelleleyva Leaks
Myhrkohls.con
Uncle Pete's Wheeling Wv Menu
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 6052

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.