Finding the right financial adviser for you is crucial if you’re to achieve your financial and lifestyle goals. So what factors should you be considering when making this decision?
Here are our top tips.
Are they independent?
The term financial adviser has a broad remit, and includes people who might work for a particular product provider. If that’s the case, they might be limited to recommending only a very small number of product options from that company. By contrast, an independent financial adviser can point you towards options from the entire market and give you a much broader range of options.
Ethical Futures are independent financial advisers.
Assess their qualifications
When you’re looking for an independent financial adviser, it’s important to review their qualifications and accreditations. You can then be sure that your chosen specialist is suitably qualified, meets the required industry standards and is well-placed to provide the specific advice you’re looking for.
You can check our advisers' qualifications by visiting their profiles on our website (click here). As a company, we have almost 20 years of industry experience but our advisers have been working away for longer!
Search for reviews and testimonials
Many previous clients will have left comments on their experience on review platforms such as Trustpilot and Google, which will help you establish if they’re the right fit for you and offer a high-quality service.
Look at the cost
The fees charged by independent financial advisers can vary a great deal, so make sure you go for a specialist who is clear and upfront about any costs, including commission and fees. If you’re looking to make your money work harder for you, it’s always good to know in advance exactly how much you’re likely to pay.
We'll be happy to share our fees with you, we believe it's important to be fully transparent with our clients and potential clients.
Know what you will get for your money
Make sure there is a written service proposition so you know from the outset what service you can expect from your adviser. This helps to manage expectations and gives you an assurance that they’re serious about providing you with a good service.
We have a three main services (PLAN, SELECT and ASSESS), you can find more information about them here. If you choose to engage with us, we'll happily explain all of our services at our initial meeting.
How big is their business?
Would you rather work with an independent financial adviser who operates alone or somebody working in a larger organisation? Both have their pros and cons. For instance, in a larger business, there might be plenty of support staff or colleagues who can help you if your adviser is unavailable. But if you’re dealing with a smaller business, you might be more confident of getting the level of attention and service you demand.
There’s no right or wrong choice here. It’s all about how you feel.
Do they understand you?
Ideally, you want to feel that your independent financial adviser knows what makes you tick. Ask yourself if you feel they understand your needs, circumstances and objectives? Do you feel they’re on your wavelength? And can you see yourself enjoying working with them?
It might be that you work with your adviser for many years, so it’s important to feel there’s a connection and the potential to build a strong, mutually beneficial relationship in the future. An independent financial adviser will be one of your most trusted specialists and someone you rely on a great deal as you make major life decisions. So it’s well worth spending time weighing up all the variables so you can find the right person for you.
If you have any questions about working with an independent financial adviser, the services we provide and how we work with our clients, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we’ll be happy to speak with you.
It is important to take professional advice before making any decision relating to your personal finances. Information within this article does not provide individual tailored investment advice and is for guidance only. We cannot assume legal liability for any errors or omissions it might contain. Ethical Futures llp is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.