What should I look for when searching for financial planning companies?

Managing your money is simultaneously one of the most important responsibilities you have and one of the most stressful. The fiduciary landscape is complex and constantly changing, which makes it time-consuming and challenging for the average person to keep up with. 

To get around these challenges, many people choose to manage their finances with the assistance of a financial planner. However, not all financial planners are alike, so how do you know what to look for in one?

Below, we go over some of the key items you should look for when searching for financial planning companies.

A defined relationship

Financial professionals come in many different varieties. You could go for the basic option and use a robo-advisor to sort out some basic planning and investing. You could work with a licensed professional to receive a more personalized touch in your planning. Or, you could work with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional who has undergone rigorous training and certification to ensure that they provide high-quality financial services under an unflinching code of ethical standards.

If you choose to work with a CFP® professional like those at ProVise, they will connect with you to understand your personal, professional, and financial needs. They can explain their services in-depth and walk you through what to expect in your financial planning process on your part and on theirs as you develop your professional relationship.

A thorough review

As part of the process of getting to know your needs, your CFP® professional may conduct an interview or have you complete a questionnaire responding to a series of questions that helps them better understand your values, goals, expectations, risk tolerance, and other personal factors that are important considerations in your investing strategy.

This review will also include a comprehensive examination of your current financial circumstances, your short-term goals, your long-term goals, and any milestones you would like to reach along the way toward meeting these goals.

Developing recommendations

Once your ProVise CFP® professional has a comfortable grasp on your circumstances, needs and values, they can begin to develop a list of recommendations that are tailored toward helping you reach your goals. You and your CFP® advisor can review these recommendations together to discuss what works for you and what you might like to change.

Implementing and monitoring your plan

Once you have confirmed a course of action, your CFP® professional can work on implementing your strategy. After your strategy has been implemented, your CFP® advisor will continue to monitor your financial plan and make adjustments for improved performance as you would have agreed upon during the recommendations phase of your planning.

Talk to a ProVise CFP® professional about your personal financial strategy

At ProVise Management Group, our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals can get to know you and your current financial circumstances, goals, risk tolerance, and personal values to help you develop a plan that works for you. We can also create a written plan for you at a fiduciary standard of care. All our written plans come with an unconditional money-back guarantee. If you are unhappy with your written plan, you can return it to us, and we will refund 100% of the fee paid.

Are you ready to talk to a professional about finding professional financial companies that are best suited for you? Contact ProVise today to schedule a complimentary consultation.