How to Find a Financial Planner

How to Find a Financial Planner

Disclosure: I am a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). I believe the discussion above confuses the role of a Planner vs. a FA. A planner's role should be seen as a financial life coach, encompassing money management, retirement and insurance planning, estate and tax planning or be able to refer you to a specialist for your circumstances.

If your planner's discussion is focused on investment returns and the next best thing look elsewhere.

I will give you some questions to ask you planner;

1) How many clients do you manage, what is the average net worth and where would I fit in?

2) How long have you been in the business? What kind of qualifications do you have? What kind of qualifications do you have? What do you do to stay current?

3) What's your investment philosophy and process? How is it different from other planners?

4) How often would we meet? How long does it take to return calls from your clients?

5) Do you monitor the satisfaction of your clients? Could I speak to a couple of your clients about their experience working with you?

6) Tell me about the last couple of clients who left you and took their account elsewhere?

7) How are you paid? What kind of money would you make on my account? What would I get for that?

I actually present these questions at my first meeting to engage the client in the conversation and allows them to feel confident in freely asking me other questions that are important to them.

6 Steps to Finding a Financial Planner

I got only ONE step Whiskey Woman and Wild WEST

Ps; IF you make six step then U are IDIOT

Financial Planner

Kerry Hannon is a moron. Condsidering the other expertise is Pole Dancing For Exercise (see article July 2007) the only swindler is that Kerry probably got paid to do this idiotic article. I saw people recently offering Securities for a Wirehouse in Sam's and CostCo. How professional is that?

Excellent basic article

I'd like to see the inane comments of Stravinsky deleted, nor is Smitty99 showing any comprehension of what Hannon was trying to teach. #1: If you want estate planning and portfolio allocation advice, go to a registered professional such as a CFP.

The Garrett network can help you find a pro who charges hourly to help. But the best pros are asset-based, so if you don't have $500K minimum in LIQUID assets (not home equity, IOW), you'll need to educate yourself. Check out the AARP site for assistance; you can get referrals there.

Never, never, confuse a fancy-titled stockbroker or insurance agent with a true Certified Financial Planner! Learn the difference between ADVISORY responsibility and FIDUCIARY responsibility to a customer - this is crucial.