Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor
Before you trust someone with your financial life, a short conversation tells you most of what you need to know. Here are the questions worth asking, grouped by what they reveal.
How they are paid
- How are you compensated?
- Are you fee-only, fee-based, or commission-based?
- Will you show me every fee before I commit to anything?
- Do you earn commissions on products you recommend, and if so, when?
Compensation shapes incentives, so this is the most important place to start. If the terms are new to you, our guide to fee-only vs. fee-based advisors breaks them down.
Their responsibility to you
- Do you act as a fiduciary?
- Are you held to that standard all the time, or only on certain accounts?
- What credentials do you hold, and what do they require?
A fiduciary must put your interests first. Designations like CFP also signal real education and ethical standards.
What you actually get
- What is included in your services?
- Is this a one-time plan or an ongoing relationship?
- How often will we meet, and who will I work with?
- How do you communicate between meetings?
Whether you are a fit
Finally, ask who they work with most and what getting started looks like. Planning is a long-term relationship, so fit matters as much as competence. For more, see how to choose a financial advisor.
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