|
Aug 06
|
Getting a good investment advisor should not be a matter of luck. You can do your home work by pre-screening potential investment advisors. You have to treat the potential advisors as a job seeker. This is the person you are hiring / employing to advise you on how to invest so just like any other employer go for the best.
How to screen investment advisors.
You can make a point of meeting the investment advisors face to face for a question and aswer question. In the first meeting you shuld be the one asking the questions not the other way round. The advisor should ask you questions after you have hired him.
Here are a few questions to get your started as provided by Securities and exchange commission
* What experience do you have, especially with people in my circumstances?
* Where did you go to school? What is your recent employment history?
* What licenses do you hold? Are you registered with the SEC, a state, or FINRA?
* Are the firm, the clearing firm, and any other related companies that will do business with me members of SIPC?
* What products and services do you offer?
* Can you only recommend a limited number of products or services to me? If so, why?
* How are you paid for your services? What is your usual hourly rate, flat fee, or commission?
* Have you ever been disciplined by any government regulator for unethical or improper conduct or been sued by a client who was not happy with the work you did?
The answers to this question will help you make a judgement on the invesment advisor competence and integrity.