Financial Advisor Report Card
Answer 10 questions and get a personalized assessment of your advisor — including red flags, green lights, and what to ask next.
Question 1 of 10
How are they compensated?
This affects whose interests they're legally obligated to serve.
Are they a fiduciary?
A fiduciary is legally required to act in your best interest, not just recommend "suitable" products.
What do you pay annually (fees + costs combined)?
Include advisory fees, fund expense ratios, and any other charges.
How often do they proactively contact you?
Not counting your own outreach to them.
Have they ever explained their investment strategy in plain language?
Could you explain to a friend why your money is invested the way it is?
Does your portfolio match your actual risk tolerance?
Think about how you felt during the last major market drop.
Has your advisor ever recommended tax-loss harvesting or tax-efficient strategies?
This is a basic value-add that good advisors bring up proactively.
What credentials does your advisor hold?
CFP (Certified Financial Planner) is the most rigorous general credential.
Has your advisor ever recommended products that seemed to benefit them more than you?
Examples: high-commission annuities, proprietary funds, excessive insurance products.
Overall, how confident are you that your advisor is acting in your best interest?
Trust your gut here — it's a valid data point.