Not many people know what is a chartered financial planner. However, as you will soon see, having one in your corner is a must-have. Whether you are running a business or you want to have your finances in check, you cannot go wrong with a chartered financial planner. The question then is, how do you choose one? The long story short is that picking a chartered financial planner is almost as serious as choosing who you will spend the rest of your life with. You have to put some thought into it so that you do not lose all your hard-earned money on the wrong pick. Here is more on this.
Introspection Check
Before going for any chartered financial planner, know you have to do some self-examination first. Are you a big spender? Are you looking at how to channel money into a retirement plan?
Perhaps you need help with setting aside money for your children’s college funds? Whichever it is, you need to work through it mentally first before hiring a financial planner.
Certifications
To be a chartered financial planner there are rigorous training steps and examinations. For instance, an investment adviser ought to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A certified public accountant, on the other hand, has to go through several public accountant modules. Regardless of your needs, always look for a planner with certificates to back him up. Whether you need one to simply file your taxes or you are looking for advice on complex financial transactions, check on qualifications.
Costs
Some financial planners will give you a retainer. It works if you are running a business and you need a chartered financial planner on board. Others might charge an hourly fee or work out a commission.
Legal Codes
Chartered financial planners are bound by legal and moral obligations codes. For example, they are legally bound to keep your financial information confidential. They also have a duty of loyalty towards you. For example, they are barred from working with anyone who has an apparent conflict of interest with you. They ensure the industry runs above standard and your personal information is safe. After all, the right to privacy entails one’s private financial information.
There you have it. There is a lot to know about chartered financial planners. This article has attempted to summarize it. Know that they come at a cost; they ought to be certified and also follow the law. You also need to do some self-examination before choosing one. I hope this information is insightful.…
