7 Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Financial Advisor

Get Smart with Your Assets

The Numbers Are In: Financial Advisors Deliver (and are Finally Within Reach)

A D V E R T O R I A L

Our mission is to empower people to make smart financial decisions. The right financial advisor can help you achieve your financial goals and prepare for retirement.

– Michael Carvin, CEO

For decades, the advantage of enlisting a financial advisor has been an enigma.

Their precise ROI is actually mysterious by design – the government’s design. The advisors tasked with improving our odds in the stock market are legally prohibited from making such promises, or projecting specific gains.

And so for generations, their appeal has been viewed in roughly the same tentative way: probably a good idea.

Now, researchers have assigned some clear numbers to the opaque field. Their discovery? The average investor earns an additional 1.5 to 4% return on their investments as a direct result of working with a financial advisor and 79% of people who do use a financial advisor report confidence in achieving their retirement goals.

The verdict is in: Americans will now flock to financial advisors in droves. Right?

If only the decision were that simple. Returns alone aren’t the only thing keeping Americans from enlisting professional help. Most have no idea where to begin or who to call.

Such was the opportunity spotted by one eagle-eyed Princeton grad who recruited a team of talented developers to build a no-cost financial advisor matching tool.

The tool, hosted by SmartAsset.com, uses the specific financial goals of everyday investors to match them with three rigorously screened local fiduciary advisors poised to help.

The simple innovation is already making waves. Hundreds of thousands of future retirees have already used the intuitive platform, which was recently awarded a Webby Award for “Best User Experience.”

With $51 million in funding under its belt, SmartAsset is poised to bring some much-needed disruption to the world of individual investing. What Wall Street has in store for tomorrow is anyone’s guess. But two things are finally clear: financial advisors deliver, and finding one has never been easier.

Try Smart Asset’s Tool below for free.

Choosing a financial advisor is a major life decision that can determine your financial trajectory for years to come.

A 2019 Northwestern Mutual study found that U.S. adults who work with a financial advisor report “substantially greater financial security, confidence and clarity than those who go it alone.”

The value of working with a financial advisor varies by person and advisors are legally prohibited from promising returns, but research suggests average additional investment returns can range from 1.5% to 4% more each year.

SmartAsset’s new tool makes it easy to find the right financial advisor near you in just a few minutes. Our exclusive, no-cost tool matches you with up to three local fiduciary financial advisors that have passed a rigorous screening process. We confirm each is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the appropriate state regulator, possess the proper licenses and have no pending or valid regulatory disclosures within the past 10 years.

Using these seven smart strategies when choosing an advisor can help you find peace of mind, and avoid years of stress.

1 | Always Hire an Advisor Who Is a Fiduciary

By definition, a fiduciary is an individual who is ethically bound to act in another person’s best interest. This obligation eliminates conflict of interest concerns and makes an advisor’s advice more trustworthy.

All of the financial advisors on SmartAsset’s matching platform are registered fiduciaries. If your advisor is not a fiduciary and constantly pushes investment products on you, use this no-cost tool to find an advisor who has your best interest in mind.

2 | Don't Hire the First Advisor You Meet

While it’s tempting to hire the advisor closest to home or the first advisor in the yellow pages, this decision requires more time. Take the time to interview at least a few advisors before picking the best match for you.

3 | Don't Choose an Advisor with the Wrong Specialty

Some financial advisors specialize in retirement planning, while others are best for business owners or those with a high net worth. Some might be best for young professionals starting a family. Be sure to understand an advisor’s strengths and weaknesses - before signing the dotted line.

4 | Don't Pick an Advisor with an Incompatible Strategy

Each advisor has a unique strategy. Some advisors may suggest aggressive investments, while others are more conservative. If you prefer to go all in on stocks, an advisor that prefers bonds and index funds is not a great match for your style.

5 | Always Ask about Credentials

To give investment advice, financial advisors are required to pass a test. Ask your advisor about their licenses, tests, and credentials. Financial advisors tests include the Series 7, and Series 66 or Series 65. Some advisors go a step further and become a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP.

6 | Understand How They are Paid

Some advisors are "fee only" and charge you a flat rate no matter what. Others charge a percentage of your assets under management. Some advisors are paid commissions by mutual funds, a serious conflict of interest. If the advisor earns more by ignoring your best interests, do not hire them.

7 | Do Not Hire an Advisor on Your Own

Chances are, there are several highly qualified financial advisors in your town. However, it can seem daunting to choose one.

Our no-cost tool makes it easy to find the right financial advisor for you. Now you can get matched with up to three local fiduciary investment advisors that have been rigorously screened for regulatory disclosures and to confirm their licenses. The entire matching process takes just a few minutes.

Click Your State to Get Matched With Financial Advisors Near You

After you choose your state and answer questions about your financial goals, you can compare up to three advisors local to you and decide which to work with.

Investing involves risk and no situation is the same. This is in no way intended as a personal recommendation and investment decisions are solely those of the reader.

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