Investors should do their homework when shopping for an advisor
How many mechanics have you worked with before finding one you trusted and believed did quality work on your vehicle? How about a medical professional? Legal counsel? Potential employers? How many videos and reviews do you watch before deciding on an expensive phone or personal computer?
When it comes to receiving financial advice you should exercise the same level of due diligence as well.
The article below highlights several key points to consider when seeking financial advice:
What you looking for advice on? - Whether its a portfolio review, wealth management, estate planning or general financial planning, make sure you find a professional wells-suited to your needs.
Make sure they are qualified - Certified Financial Planners (CFP) have received an industry standard when it comes to financial planning. The article points out that "Financial Advisor" can be all encompassing and may not guarantee an advisor has the skill set and knowledge to help you.
Interviewing your potential advisor is a good way to determine if it's a good fit for both your needs and your personality.
Understand how they are compensated before you commit.
A sign of a good advisor is one who will take the time to build a relationship with you and gain an understanding of your needs and goals before recommending products and solutions.
Seek a referral.
I think these are great starting points on how to select the right financial professional for your needs. I am currently working towards completing my CFP designation this year and want to make sure that my clients can be confident in both my integrity and values as well as my level of education in helping them towards their goals.