There’s a large handful of alternatives to letting your money sit in the bank. Oftentimes, though, those who have extra cash aren’t sure what to do with it.
Over time, this can result in you missing out on an exponential return if you were to invest this money instead. But, you shouldn’t try and do it alone.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about how to find the right financial advisor.
Choose One For Your Financial Goals
While the term ‘financial advisor’ is fairly general, not every professional offers every type of financial service. In order to get the most out of your advisor, you’ll want to hire one who specializes in what you’re trying to achieve.
This is often at least one of three main groups:
- Planning for retirement
- Making investments
- General financial planning
The last category often includes things like how much money you should be saving, how to reduce your expenses, etc.
So, be sure to look for someone who can satisfy your particular needs.
To help your advisor provide you with the best planning, you should provide them with as much financial info as possible. You can visit www.paystubs.net to learn more.
Keep an Eye out For Signs of Fraud
When a financial advisor manages your money, your actual funds are placed into an account at a highly-reputable firm. These include Fidelity, Charles-Schwab, etc.
The advisor can then make trades or otherwise maneuver your funds on your behalf.
Not only does this prevent any wrongdoing from occurring with your money, but it also provides a great level of transparency in terms of how your investment has performed.
Advisors who wish to place your funds into an unfamiliar third-party firm’s account are something to watch out for. You should also be wary of an advisor who recommends a firm that they have co-ownership of.
Check Their Experience and Credentials
It’s often not a wise decision to trust an inexperienced advisor with a significant amount of your money. Doing so could run the risk of your encountering issues in the future or not getting as large of a return as you should.
Someone with at least three to five years of experience in the industry is a good starting point.
You’ll also want to ensure that the investor you’re working with is properly certified. If you’re investing your money, your advisor should have their Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certificate.
General financial advisors should have their Personal Finance Specialist (PFS) designation.
Finding The Right Financial Advisor Can Seem Difficult
But it doesn’t have to be. With the above information about how to hire the right financial advisor in mind, you’ll be well on your way to getting the most out of your money.
From here, you can use your profit to invest in even more financial endeavors.
