Are you a fiduciary?
Ask whether the adviser is required to put your interests first, and when that duty applies.
Vet Your Advisor
Ask first before choosing a financial professional.
Ask First helps you compare professionals, ask better questions, and understand fees, duties, and conflicts before hiring an adviser.
Choosing a financial adviser
Take time to compare before you decide.
The right adviser can help you organize information and understand choices. No adviser can promise investment returns.
Interview more than one professional. Ask about specialties, planning approach, fees, products, commissions, and conflicts before you move forward.
Questions to ask before you hire someone
Use plain questions to understand the relationship.
How are you paid?
Fee-only advisers are paid directly by clients. Fee-based advisers may receive client fees and other compensation, so ask what that means in your situation.
What credentials and licenses do you hold?
Ask about licenses, exams, and credentials. Series 65, Series 66, and Series 7 are licenses, not professional credentials. Certified Financial Planner, or CFP, is one recognized planning credential.
What kinds of clients do you usually help?
Choose someone whose experience fits the questions you need answered, such as retirement planning, taxes, estate planning, or charitable giving.
What is your planning or investment approach?
Ask how the adviser builds recommendations, explains risks, and helps you understand tradeoffs before you decide.
Are there products, commissions, or conflicts I should understand?
Be cautious if someone pressures you to buy commissioned products before explaining alternatives, costs, and conflicts clearly.
Useful places to verify information
Check public resources before you choose.
These outside resources can help you review backgrounds and find professionals to interview.
FINRA BrokerCheck
Use BrokerCheck to review registration and background information for brokers and investment advisers.
Open BrokerCheckNAPFA Find an Advisor
Use NAPFA to search for fee-only financial advisers and compare possible professionals to interview.
Open NAPFAStay Updated
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