Choosing a financial planner
< Back to Business & Finance
Below is a checklist of what to consider and do when selecting a financial planner, one that will meet your goals and objectives and work with your financial planning style.
- Identify your life’s future goals and objectives – retirement funds and lifestyle, college funds, travel funds, helping children, etc.
- Interview 2-3 different planners
- Interview or inquire friends/family/co-workers on their recommendations
- Choose between large national firm (more services, more fees) vs. small local firm (more basic services, lower fees)
- Choose a planner who’s strategy matches yours (conservative, aggressive, etc.)
- Understand (and negotiate if necessary) the planner’s fees
- Check references – obtain from the planner(s)
- Check credentials
- Set up first meeting to go over goals, objectives, investments and timing
- Discuss your communication style, methods, and frequency with planner
- Discuss “next steps” (scenarios) after downturns or up slopes in your finances, the economy, etc.
- Evaluate, yearly, your relationship with planner, successes, challenges and address any changes that should be made
