What Does a Financial Advisor Actually Do?

Think of a financial advisor as a partner, a mentor, a subject matter expert, and an ally. sirtravelalot/Shutterstock

So often I have written to advise my Personal Finance readers to consider getting their advice from a financial advisor. Sometimes, I will even throw in some helpful hints on how to search, vet, qualify, and know just what you’re getting into when you take this step.

This article goes into more depth so that you can do a better job of identifying the right and best advisor that suits you in terms of your unique needs surrounding affordability, transparency, reputation, careful investment selection, and someone who won’t churn your investment portfolio simply to maximize their own commissions and compensation.

Your Financial Needs

Think of a financial advisor as a partner, a mentor, a subject matter expert, and an ally. Before you even begin your search, write down your financial needs, goals and objectives.