FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Back to FAQ

An Advisor for All Seasons
A trusted financial advisor should be at the centre of your investment strategy. How else can you make sense of more than 1,700 mutual funds (with more being added everyday) or cope with the onslaught of everyone from bank tellers to mutual fund companies chasing after a piece of your investment dollar.

As the number of investment products continues to grow and the lines that separate service providers blur or disappear altogether, good financial advice is going to be crucial – especially during tough market conditions.

Choosing the right advisor
The right financial advisor will do more than sort through the complex investment jungle. He or she will also help to steer your portfolio towards a secure retirement, advise on how to put money aside for your children's education, find the best way to finance a new home (or other large ticket item) and structure your finances so that taxes are not chipping away at your disposable or retirement income.

Financial advisors who sell products such as securities and insurance must be regulated in the province where they practice. The same is not true for the rest of the industry - which sometimes makes choosing a financial advisor a case of buyer beware. There is an alphabet soup of designations that financial planners put behind their names and most consumers have little idea what is involved in getting those initials.

Insurance has traditionally been a cornerstone of responsible estate planning. The insurance industry is aggressively promoting favourable investment products such as segregated funds and Insured Retirement Plans (IRP). Make sure you have a financial advisor who is qualified in the area of insurance.

Find someone you trust
Trust is the most important quality investors look for when choosing an advisor. First and foremost, find a qualified professional who understands your personal and financial situation and whom you will feel comfortable working with. Do not forget to ask about an Advocis designation. Do not be afraid to ask questions. And do not allow yourself to be hurried along. Financial planning is a detailed and complicated process. Most advisors will spend approximately 90 minutes with a potential client during the initial interview.

Ask about qualifications
Ask about your advisor's level of experience. How long has he been practicing? Does she have specialized training? Is he involved in continuing education? Does she have experience dealing with financial situations similar to yours? Does he subscribe to a recognized code of professional conduct?

When developing your financial plan, will the advisor be working on all of your financial goals or just specific areas. Will he or she be part of a team - and who is going to help you to implement the plan. As for the plan itself, insist on an easy-to-follow executive summary that includes a clear course of action.

How is your advisor paid?
A qualified financial advisor is a worthwhile investment in your financial future. But you should know upfront just what that investment is going to cost. Most financial advisors are paid through commissions on the products purchased (either by the client or the product supplier), a salary from his or her employer, fee for service, or a combination of all three. Find out, and get it in writing along with an estimate of costs, and details of services available.

Finally, investing is a year-round responsibility. Meet with your advisor at least twice a year to review your strategy and make adjustments. The benefits will show up in your portfolio as you move closer to retirement.

“A bull market begins on pessimism, grows on skepticism, matures on optimism and dies on Euphoria.”