choosing a financial advisor

Selecting the right financial planning partner is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. It can mean the difference between living the lifestyle you choose vs. the lifestyle you're forced to choose.

Clearly, the "right" advisor needs to possess expert financial skills. But, just as importantly they need to be someone you will come to consider a confidant and maybe even a friend. For the advisor/advisee relationship to truly work; you need honest objective advice from someone you trust, feel comfortable discussing the details of personal finances with and who understands your circumstances in their entirety. 

what to look for

When hiring your Personal Financial Officer take a close look at these critical areas:

• Education, Experience & Certifications -- Do they have an advanced degree in finance, law, accounting, etc.? How long have they been providing financial advice to clients? Are they a certified planner? How do they keep their skills up-to-date?
• Background Check -- Have they been disciplined by a certification board? Is there anything unusual in their public disclosure document?
• References -- Talk to a minimum of three current and/or former clients. Ask tough questions...  you'll get honest answers.
• Personal Interview -- Arrange to spend an hour or so with the advisor before you make any commitments. Was the conversation open? Was the advisor concerned about your needs and expectations or were they trying to "sell you"? Do you see a long-term collaboration with the advisor working?
• Questions to Ask -- Not sure what to ask when interviewing a potential financial planner. This booklet, provided by the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, is a good place to get started.
• Take a Test Drive -- The process of creating a financial plan is a good way to test the relationship. Commit only to the initial plan. If you're pleased with the outcome and the interaction, expand the partnership. At a minimum, you walk away with a very worthwhile snapshot of your current financial situation and begin looking for a new advisor.

Want to Learn More about Hirst wealth management?

We are happy to offer a free initial consultation to you. We suggest you begin by reviewing  the information about our Services and 4-Step Planning Process. Then, if you would like to arrange an interview time simply complete the "Prospective Client Profile". We'll get back to you right away to arrange a time to get together that is convenient for you.