The Importance of Using a Good Financial Advisor
More often than not, investment recommendations are imparted either by a financial advisor or a stock broker. Financial advisors are regarded as tied, multi-tied, or independent. As the categorisations suggest, tied advisors are limited to recommending financial products marketed by the organisation they represent. Multi-tied agents serve a similar function, except they represent a number of different companies. This is now and again referred to as the panel system.
In the UK there has been vigorous debate in the news media regarding the effectiveness of financial advisors. This is especially true in situations where there is perceived bias toward investment products that offer the advisor a high commission. Financial advisors should be accountable to their clients whether tied or independent. There are some in the UK that feel impartial financial advice can only be obtained from an independent financial advisor.
Investments, savings, and retirement planning are important to most people as evidenced by the 176% rise in demand for independent financial advice between December 2010 and January 2011. In fact, with new rules coming into effect concerning employee pension schemes and changes to the retirement age, the importance of using a good advisor when planning for the future is becoming increasingly clear to everyone in the United Kingdom.
There are so many distinct categories of financial instruments today available through both small and large investment firms as well as banks that it is simply out of the question for any single individual to fully understand everything that is available for them, and more importantly, what is best for them. Each individual has distinct financial needs and goals. A good financial advisor will endeavor to reduce the financial risks for their clients by gaining an understanding of each client’s individual situation and lifestyle goals.
In order to perform their duties your financial advisor should be aware of all of your assets, your current lifestyle, and your retirement goals. Your financial plan should consist of a diversified portfolio of diverse instruments to meet your goals. Depending on your age, standard of living, needs and retirement objectives, there are basic formulas for making sure that you are not overexposed in terms of holding too much stock, or too many bonds, or too much ready cash not invested.
There are numerous methods to conduct research on potential financial advisors. The internet is certainly an excellent resource when investigating potential financial advisors. In addition to using the internet you should purchase some of the investment related magazines as well as asking friends or co-workers who the use. Most important is that you have at least a general idea of what your financial goals are and interview/evaluate the potential advisor to make sure they are committed and able to assist you. You want to work with someone who has your financial well-being foremost in their mind, not someone who is focused on hawking you high cost financial products so they can generate a commission.
