Where To Find a Financial Advisor

The first step in improving and empowering your personal finances is deciding to hire a financial advisor. One of the best places to find a fiduciary local financial advisor is using Zoe’s cost-free frictionless advisor matching service.

What To Look For In a Financial Advisor

Before you start looking for the right financial advisor, it’s important to narrow down the criteria for your search. Here are some factors to consider:

Service Model

Determine if you’re looking for a holistic financial plan, someone to manage your investments- or a combination of the two.

Compensation Structure

If you want a financial advisor who is committed to acting in your best interests, an commission-free investment advisor or financial planner who is paid directly by you (rather than one who earns commissions for selling products) may be the best choice.

Location

Focus on quality over proximity. Advances in technology, such as video conferencing, allow clients to build a rapport with their advisors from the comfort of their own homes.

Advisor Characteristics

Some investors only want to work with highly experienced advisors. Others, particularly millennials, often want to work with advisors who are in a similar life stage and share their preferences for communicating digitally. Do you have specific demographic requirements?

Finding a Financial Planner Near Me

Because financial planners aren’t licensed, look for one who has been certified as a CFP^® professional by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board). These financial planners earn their certifications by being experienced financial professionals who have passed a rigorous financial planning examination. They also agree to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and client service.

Run a Background Check on A Potential Financial Advisor

Research their industry licenses and backgrounds on Investor.gov. You can use this site to view a detailed report on any licensed financial advisor. Entering a name will tell you if the advisor is a licensed investment advisor, broker, or both. It will also tell you where they currently work, where they worked in the past, their educational background, their licenses, and any situations in which they violated industry regulations.

Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

1. Do you have a fiduciary obligation to your clients?

2. Is your firm a Registered Investment Advisor?

3. Is your firm independent?

4. How are you compensated?

5. Do you receive commissions or any other compensation from third parties?

6. In what circumstances do you serve as a fiduciary, and in what circumstances do you not?

The last question is key. Most advisors get away with calling themselves a fiduciary because they can legally call themselves that, as long as they are a fiduciary some of the time. We feel that’s disingenuous. You wouldn’t go to a Doctor who only has your best interest in some events, but not others. You deserve the best.

How To Find Financial Advisors & Planners In The Zoe Financial Network

Finding a financial advisor alone can be daunting and time-consuming. At Zoe, we make it easy to find the right financial advisor for you. Through an interactive quiz, we give you access to the top financial advisors & fiduciary planners in your local area and across the country, allowing you to find the best advisor for your specific financial needs.