Calgary Financial Planner

Choosing an Calgary Financial Planner

• Ask questions. Don't feel embarrassed, and have the answers explained so YOU understand. The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.
• Watch out for unrealistic promises of rates of return. Anything over 10 percent annual return over the long run should be viewed with careful skepticism.
• Have all the risks fully explained. A financial advisor shouldn't ignore your own goal of protecting your money.
• Take the time to think things over. Don't make snap decisions.
• Ask your Financial Planner what their qualifications are.  Do they carry the Certified Financial Planner designation (CFP)? Are they a member of any financial planning associations?  Do they have any education related to the field (economics, commerce, financial analysis)
• What experience does the Financial Planner have.  Depending on your needs, you may need someone especially experienced with your area, such as if you own a business, if you have large estate needs, or other concerns to provide specific financial advise.
• What services do you offer, and with that, what products do you offer.  Some financial planners only offer mutual funds, while others only offer insurance.  To get the best financial advice you want someone who can offer mutual funds, insurance and stocks and bonds from a wide variety of suppliers.
• How is your Calgary Financial Planner paid.  And does it in any way affect the advice they are giving you.  As long as they admit any bias to the client, and recognize that fact in their plans, they are doing their due diligence.
• Ask your Financial Planner if he/she is bonded or carries liability insurance for professional errors.
• Expect a financial check-up before investing your money. A planner should prepare a statement of net worth, look at your cash flow, discuss your personal goals, provide tax suggestions, review your will, and help plan insurance for disability or death.
• Ask your Calgary Financial Planner if they will provide their recommendations in writing.  This often is a good 'gut-check' question to see how the planner reacts.  Also compare what they do give you in writing to what they are actually telling you.