Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Financial Adviser

Ask about the adviser's qualifications, experience, licenses, and whether they are legally required to act in your best interest. Ask what services they provide, how they develop financial plans, and how often they review your goals and investments.

Make sure you understand exactly how the adviser is paid, including fees, commissions, fund expenses, and other costs. Discuss their investment philosophy, how they assess risk, and how they measure performance.

Ask about potential conflicts of interest, the independent custodian holding your money, and how your assets are protected. Finally, request all agreements, fees, disclosures, and recommendations in writing, and be cautious of anyone promising guaranteed or unusually high returns.

Corgage helps you walk into that first meeting prepared. It helps you organize your own financial data, understand your numbers, and ask sharper questions about any plan an adviser puts in front of you.