Your relationship with your financial planner is kind of like your relationship with a partner.  Trust, respect, and security are huge components for building a strong foundation for any relationship, whether it’s shared with a friend, parent, child, significant other, etc.  Your relationship with your financial planner should not be any different.  After all, you are entrusting them with managing your family’s finances!

When searching for the right Financial Planner for you, there are a few traits you should look for: personability, a sense of understanding, frequent and clear communication, credibility, knowledge, and ethical behavior.  

A personable Financial Planners carry a genuine interest in you and your financial needs. They are generally altruistic people, easy to get along with, and want the best for everyone.  

Like any service oriented professional, choosing a Financial Planner who is willing to listen to and understand your needs, goals and priorities is an absolute must.  In the same vein, your Financial Planner should spend time to make sure you understand his/her instructions and advice.  Naturally, he/she may be inclined to use financial jargon, but it is important to have a Planner who educates you on the “why” behind the “what.”  Like any other relationship, a sense of understanding will ensure you are on the same page and can make sound decisions together.  

As life changes, your needs, goals and priorities will probably change as well. These changes naturally necessitate updates to your financial plan, which means your financial planner should check in on you regularly and should be ready to meet with you as needed/requested.  The last thing you want or need is a Financial Planner who is never free to meet with you.  You would not settle for that in your personal relationships, so why settle for a Financial Planner who does the same?  

Last but definitely not least, find a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP).  This is a very easy way to establish credibility.  The CFP Board requires your Financial Planner has met a number of education requirements, ethics requirements, and has passed a comprehensive exam.  Once certified, the Board requires ongoing education credits to be completed each year.  Since there are low barriers to entry in this field, please keep this information in mind when searching for a Certified Financial Planner™.