Howard J. Levin

10 Questions to Ask When Choosing
a Financial Planner

1. What experience do you have?
Ask about the financial planner’s philosophy and their previous work experience. They should be able to convey how this relates to their practice.

2. What are your qualifications?
Anyone can call themselves a financial planner, so be sure and ask what qualifies them to offer financial planning advice and whether they are recognized as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional or CFP® practitioner, a Certified Public Accountant-Personal Financial Specialist (CPA-PFS), or a Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC). Ask about continuing education and how they stay current on changes in the financial planning field.

3. What services do you offer?
Find out what services are offered and if they match your needs. Generally, financial planners cannot sell insurance or securities products such as mutual funds or stocks without the proper licenses, or give investment advice unless registered with state or Federal authorities.

4. What is your approach to financial planning?
Most financial planners have a typical type of client and financial situations they like to work with. Some planners offer comprehensive plans while others work on a project basis or hourly rate.

5. Will you be the only person working with me?
The financial planner may work with you themselves or have others in the office assist the planner. Ask who will be your main contact and who will be working with you.

6. How will I pay for your services?
Know the financial planner’s fee model before you engage in their services. The standard fee models are: 1). Fee-only – All fees are paid by the client, no commissions. 2). Commissions – Payments are based on the products sold to you. 3). Salary – The planner is paid from commissions you pay the company.

7. How much do you typically charge?
The cost will depend on your needs. The estimate could be an hourly rate, flat fee or percentage of commissions. Always ask for an estimate.

8. Could anyone besides me benefit from your recommendations?
Be sure and ask about conflicts of interests. Does the planner receive fees based on referrals or do they participate in company incentive programs.

9. Have you ever been publicly disciplined for any unlawful or unethical actions in your professional career?
Check for disciplined actions for CFP® practitioner on the CFP website (www.CFP.net). Be sure they are registered with the state or SEC. The planner must be able to provide you with a disclosure form called Form ADV Part II or the state equivalent of that form.

10. Can I have it in writing?
Ask the planner to provide you with a written agreement that details the services that will be provided. Keep this document in your files for future reference.