10 Questions to Fire at Financial Advisers

Whenever I meet with prospective clients, they bring a list of questions to ask me.

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Whenever I meet with prospective clients, they bring a list of questions to ask me. Few people, though, lob as many queries as they truly should. The problem is that many people don’t quite know what to look for in an adviser.

Choosing the right financial adviser for your needs is crucial. It’s not just your money that’s at stake. Your ideal future is, too. The best way to learn how your money will be managed and if you can trust your adviser is to ask questions.

So, let me do a little role play. I’ll play the role of a person shopping around for financial help. Based on my experience as a financial adviser, here are 10 questions I would ask and the reasons why.

Written by Sean McDonnell, CFP, NSSA, a financial adviser at Advance Capital Management, an independent registered investment adviser based in Southfield, Mich.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

Sean McDonnell, CFP®
Financial Adviser, Advance Capital Management

Sean McDonnell, CFP®, is a financial adviser at Advance Capital Management, an independent registered investment adviser based in Southfield, Mich. He works closely with clients to create and implement customized financial plans, as well as provides a wide range of services, including: investment and 401(k) management, retirement planning and tax strategies.