GUEST POST: Checklist for interviewing a financial planner

1. Do you have experience in providing advice on the topics below? If yes, indicate the number of years.

• Retirement planning
• Investment planning
• Tax planning
• Estate planning
• Insurance planning
• Integrated planning
• Other

2. What are your areas of specialization? What qualifies you in this field?

3. How long have you been offering financial planning advice to clients?

• Less than one year
• One to four years
• Five to 10 years
• More than 10 years
b. How many clients do you currently have?

• Less than 10 clients
• 10 to39
• 40 to79
• 80 +

4. Briefly describe your work history.

5. What are your educational qualifications?

Give area of study.
• Certificate
• Undergraduate degree
• Advanced degree
• Other

6. What financial planning designation(s) or certification(s) do you hold?

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
• Certified Public Accountant-Personal Financial Specialist (CPA-PFS)
• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
• Registered Financial Planner (RFP)
• Others

7. What financial planning continuing education requirements do you fulfill?

8. What licenses do you hold?

• Insurance
• Securities
• Mutual Funds
• Others

9. What services do you offer?

10. Describe your approach to financial planning.

11. Who will work with me?

• Planner
• Associate(s)

b. Will the same individual(s) review my financial situation?

• Yes
• If no, who will?

12. How are you paid for your services?

• Fee
• Commission
• Fee and commission
• Salary
• Other

13. What do you typically charge?

a. Fee:

• Hourly rate Php _________
• Flat fee (range) Php _________ to Php_________
• Percentage of assets under management _________ percent

b. Commission:

What is the approximate percentage of the investment or premium you receive on:

• stocks and bonds _________
• mutual funds _________
• annuities _________
• insurance products ________
• other _________

14. Do you have a business affiliation with any company whose products or services you are recommending?

• Yes
• No

Is any of your compensation based on selling products?

• Yes
• No

Do professionals and sales agents to whom you may refer me send business, fees or any other benefits to you?

• Yes
• No

Do you have an affiliation with a broker/dealer?

• Yes
• No

Are you an owner of, or connected with, any other company whose services or products i will use?

• Yes
• No

15. Do you provide a written client engagement agreement?

• Yes
• If no, why not?

Guest Post by:
Alijeffty C. Gonzales, CIS, RFP
ACG Advisors and Management Limited Co.

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