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Questions to ask your financial advisor

January 19, 2024
4
min read

If you’re trying to choose a new Financial Advisor, you’ve come to the right place!

Man and woman meet with financial advisor

Need help managing your money? With a Financial Advisor, you can start investing your money to grow your wealth and achieve your financial goals.

Talking about your finances can be challenging and personal, so it’s important you find someone who you can trust. It may take some time before you find an advisor who aligns with your values, but ultimately, it’s worth it!

You’re looking for someone who:

  • Has the right qualifications, licenses, and experience
  • Acts in your best interests
  • Shares a similar investment philosophy

We met with Chrisner Ramos-Singh, Financial Advisor at Cambrian Credit Union and Aviso Wealth, to discuss what you should look for in an advisor. Here are a few questions Chrisner suggests using to determine if the fit is right:

What do you want to achieve?

Start by asking yourself this question: What are your financial goals?

Then, you can get more specific. What are the time horizons of those goals, and what do you want a Financial Advisor to help you with?

Are you looking to…

  • Open a registered account, like an RRSP or a TFSA?
  • Start investing in the market?
  • Work on your retirement plan?
  • Grow your wealth by creating a diversified investment portfolio?

If you’re not sure what you need, that’s okay too! Your Financial Advisor can help you narrow your focus.

This will help you decide what you’re looking to achieve through working with a Financial Advisor – and in turn, find one who can help with what you’re hoping to accomplish.

What products and services do they offer?

Not all Financial Advisors offer the same products and services. The next step is finding an advisor that can help you with your financial goals.

“At Cambrian, in partnership with Aviso Wealth, we offer mutual funds, multi-asset solutions, retirement planning, and advice to help you save tax efficiently,” says Chrisner.

Let’s clarify an important distinction between two products that many Financial Advisors offer:

What is a mutual fund?

A mutual fund is a professionally managed group of stocks, bonds, and other investments, all designed to achieve a specific investment goal.

Mutual funds allow you to pool your money with other investors. By investing in a diverse mix of funds, you can potentially reduce risk in your portfolio.

What is a multi-asset solution?

Multi-asset solutions are a one-stop investment that includes a portfolio of assets such as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.

They’re a way to get a broadly diversified portfolio that fits your investment goals and time horizon.

Multi-asset solutions offer several unique benefits over traditional mutual funds:

  • Your portfolio is professionally managed
  • More diversification reduces your overall risk
  • Eligible for registered accounts, including RRSPs and TFSAs
  • Your investments are monitored and rebalanced regularly

At Cambrian, our advisors offer multi-asset solutions that are tailored to your unique financial situation. With our personalized advice, you can make investment decisions that are right for you. Contact us today!

What is their background and what credentials do they have?

It’s important to work with an advisor who has the proper qualifications for the products you’re interested in.

Beyond their qualifications, the experience they have matters, too.

You may want to ask what kinds of clients your advisor usually works with. If you’re investing for the first time, you may want an advisor who can simplify complex topics. If you’re more experienced, you may be looking for someone with a background in managing larger portfolios.

“Look for an advisor who has experience building relationships with clients. Specifically, a background that goes beyond investing to include lending and personal banking as well,” suggests Chrisner.

“This ensures you get more of a holistic approach to your investment portfolio.”

What is their investment philosophy?

Essentially, you want to find out what their investment approach is – and whether their outlook aligns with yours.

“You want a collaborative experience – not an advisor who dictates what needs to be done, but one who listens to you and works with you,” says Chrisner.

“I aim to educate clients with personalized advice on strategies they can use to achieve their goals.”

On top of that, setting up your investment portfolio takes ongoing work. How often does your advisor plan to check-in on your finances?

“Once your accounts and portfolio are set up, we regularly touch base to make sure you’re on track,” says Chrisner. “I recommend booking a meeting to review your portfolio at least once a year, or whenever there’s a significant financial change in your life.”

Why is it so important to work with an advisor for your investments?

You may be wondering how advisors make a difference in your financial health. Here’s what Chrisner has to say:

“It’s so important to collaborate with an advisor for their expertise,” says Chrisner. “Everyone is busy, and for most people, looking at their portfolio just isn’t something they have time for.”

“We take the time to get to know our members, and tailor our advice to each individual.”

Meet with a Cambrian Advisor today!

Now that you know what to look for in a Financial Advisor, the next step is meeting with one that can help you grow your wealth. With our personalized advice, we’ll give you the confidence you need to make decisions about your financial future.

“At Cambrian, we look at each member’s unique situation. We ask them what their goals are, and that helps us figure out what type of account will work best to achieve those goals.”

You can meet with one of our advisors via video, phone, or in person. Book a meeting today!

Disclaimer

Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc.

Today’s Rates

*All rates and yields subject to change without notice.
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