Where do you turn, if you have a serious medical concern? Usually a physician. Where do you turn, if you have a serious legal issue? Usually an attorney.
Where do you turn, if you can't trust the advice your getting on your 401(k)? Where do you turn, if you are concerned your savings won't last? Where do you turn, if you feel everybody wants to sell you something you don't understand and probably don't need?
The majority of people who face a serious financial question turn to a relative, friend or colleague, not a financial professional. The advice from an untrained acquaintance may not lead to death or prison, but it certainly won't be optimal.
The challenge in picking the right physician, the right attorney or the right financial adviser for you is knowing whether the professional is knowledgeable and worthy of your trust. You want to know the advice you receive is for your benefit and not the benefit of the adviser.
These are times of disaffection. Financial markets are uncertain. Many financial institutions, especially national investment banks and wirehouses, have crumbled as a result of the excessive risks they took with investors' money. If big money managers have misbehaved, where do you turn for credible counsel beyond your backyard, the golf course and the water cooler?
Here are the tests for a good financial adviser, in my opinion. They number four all told:
1. Is the adviser a good listener?
2. Does the adviser communicate simply and clearly without jargon?
3. Do you feel the adviser is speaking directly to you and your needs and not trying to sell you product?
4. Is the adviser's compensation transparent? Is the adviser disclosing fully to you all the revenue to be generated by your investments or purchases?
In addition, you may ask for references, though issues of privacy have to be respected. Here are four more questions you can ask clients of the adviser:
1. Is the advice of the adviser consistent with your needs and expectations?
2. Are you satisfied with the frequency and quality of the meetings or phone calls you have with the adviser?
3. Does the adviser or the adviser's office respond quickly and clearly to your questions?
4. Do you believe that the advice you have received has kept you on an appropriate financial course for you and your needs?
Unless your only financial objective in life is to make a lot of money and beat the markets, don't expect a good adviser to promise investment performance. The best advisers add value beyond mere investment performance. They are all about aligning your money with your values and goals and freeing you from having to worry or from having to remain disaffected.
¢¢¢
Donald E. Askey is a Certified Financial Planner professional and president of Provident Advisory Group, located at The Provident Bank. For money-related questions visit www.providentadvisory.com.
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