| The first enquiry you should make relates to education. | | | | influence your choice of financial advisor. It pays to |
| Competence and quality with advisors comes in the | | | | know up front. |
| form of a relevant tertiary education, professional | | | | Another excellent gauge of success and ability is |
| memberships of financial advisory groups, and | | | | testimonials, and in particular referrals. If the financial |
| certificates or further qualifications that show ongoing | | | | planner you are considering cannot provide referrals |
| professional development. It is also important to enquire | | | | you should be sceptical about any claims about past |
| about length of experience in the financial industry, and | | | | success they may make. The opinions of previous |
| in particular how long the individual has been working | | | | clients are excellent indicators of the ability of a |
| as an advisor. This should be considered the first step | | | | financial planner. |
| in your financial advisor selection process. | | | | Finally, ask for a plan. Any financial advisor worth their |
| The second avenue of enquiry relates to payment for | | | | fee will happily outline the scope of their services, tell |
| services. This question is important as financial planners | | | | you what information you need to provide them, and |
| can bill hourly, work for retainer and some work on a | | | | work with you across all relevant areas to develop a |
| commission basis. Each of these payment channels | | | | plan for you to reach your financial goals. |
| attract differing fee levels, and this information will | | | | |