Whether you’re a one time Investor aiming to secure your Financial future or someone with greater Financial expertise, the significance of selecting the appropriate Financial Advisor cannot be overstated. 

Consider posing these five crucial questions as you embark on this important decision-making process:
 

What is your typical client like?

Ask your potential new Advisor if they’ve worked with clients of similar financial backgrounds to yours and provide examples of their portfolio performances. You’ll also want to know what financial milestones their clients are saving for, whether for retirement, school fees or other personal reasons. It’s commonly assumed that Financial Advisors will only work with high net worth clients Whilst it’s true for some Advisors, there are others who are happy to take on a mixture of large and small investments. 
 

It might seem like common sense to go with the Advisor with the most qualifications or the best online reviews but if they have no experience managing clients whose Investor profiles match yours then it’s better to look for someone more suitable. 
 

How will our relationship work/how much client contact do you have?
 

Regardless of the level of involvement you want to have, a good Advisor will keep you in the loop about anything that will impact your investments. They should review your portfolio performance regularly with you and explain the reasons for any suggestions they make about altering your investment choices. 
 

Client communication is essential and your Advisor must take the time to analyze your finances, attitude to risk and create your client profile. You should also find out about all the fees that you’ll need to pay and why as well as how your Advisor will collect their payment. 
 

Some Advisors are fee-only and others are commission-based meaning in addition to a percentage of your investments, they will also be paid commission for recommending certain products and services. Your Advisor is there to guide and encourage you to learn more about investments, it’s a red flag if they try to use technical jargon all the time without explaining. 
 

Whilst you might not be able to see your Advisor as often as you’d like to, you should at least have an annual review of your investment performance and strategy. Remember with long-term investing it’s better to check your investments regularly but not as often as every day. For your own peace of mind, it’ll be worth asking whether you can keep track of your investments online. 
 

Where will you put my investments?
 

You might not know as much as your Advisor about how the market works but you should feel confident enough to trust their judgement and that they will uphold your investment values. Your Advisor should work out your attitude to risk and recommend investment opportunities that match your investment profile. For example, if you want to make a positive impact with your Investments then your Advisor may suggest investing in Environmental, Social and Governance securities.. 
 

Ask an Advisor about their investment philosophy to give an indication as to how they plan to help you navigate the market and reach your goals. The most common philosophies include value investing (buying shares which they believe are currently under-priced), growth investing (buying shares which are predicted to generate high stock prices and growth) and contrarian investing (going against the market current by buying when everyone is selling and vice versa). 
 

At different points in your journey, you’ll need to move to different funds that will help you grow and preserve your wealth so it’s important for both you and your intermediary to keep an eye on fund performances. If you’re not comfortable or you’re unsure about the funds you have or plan to invest into, remember that your Advisor is there to listen and address your concerns. 
 

If things go wrong, how am I protected?

There’s no such thing as a ‘safe’ fund because investing will always carry a degree of risk which is why it’s important to not put all your eggs into one basket and invest into funds which seem ‘too good to be true’. Your Advisor can help with diversifying your portfolio to mitigate the impact that market fluctuations have on your investments. You should be prepared for the worst even if it doesn’t happen and your Advisor should have the correct measures in place to ensure that your money is protected. If you were ill, you wouldn’t go to see an unlicensed doctor to cure you so don’t entrust your investments with an unregulated Advisor. 
 

All Financial Advisory services, both firms and independent Advisors, should be regulated by the relevant Financial Authority in your country. You also need to know if they abide by a Code of Conduct, sometimes referred to as Code of Ethics, which states all advice given is for the best interests of yourself and not for personal gain. You can also search Financial Conduct Authority register to check that your Advisor is regulated – this means that you can dispute any issues that might happen along the way e.g. insolvency of the company. 
 

If I move away, will you still be available to help me?

If you plan to live abroad then it’s important to find out whether your Advisor is in it for the long haul. Some intermediaries only practice within the country that they’re based, which means that when you move you’ll have to repeat the process of finding another Advisor and risk incurring termination fees for your current contract agreement. At the very least your current Advisor will explain how living outside your home country will impact your investments – tax, pension and repatriation are just some of the factors to consider. 
 

Your new Advisor will have to go through and re-assess your client risk profile and portfolio of Investments. Living in an unfamiliar Financial jurisdiction doesn’t necessarily put your Investment at risk but there are factors such as a new cost of living and total income, especially if you’re working, which can affect the amount you’re currently investing. 
 

WHY CHOOSE AS YOUR WEALTH MANAGER & INVESTMENT FINANCIAL ADVISOR?

Our role as the intermediary between you, the client, and financial institutions and fund managers is pivotal. Money Acumen serves as a guardian of your financial interests, ensuring that you retain the best products with optimal returns and the highest likelihood of attaining financial security. Through our rigorous screening of stakeholders, we safeguard your funds from potential financial loss. Your financial security is not just a consideration – it is our top priority.

Thoughtful investing is woven into the fabric of our philosophy. We understand that wealth creation is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. By working closely with you, we craft financial strategies that align with your aspirations. Our commitment to transparency ensures that you are not just a passive observer but an informed decision-maker in your financial journey.

Money Acumen goes beyond conventional wealth management; we are architects of your financial success. By adapting strategies to the evolution of your life and actively managing your portfolio, we ensure that your financial goals are not only met but exceeded. Our dedication to growing wealth together is not a slogan but a guiding principle that underscores our commitment to your prosperity.