Insights

The Six Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Advisor

by Sequoia Financial Group

June 10, 2025

Selecting a financial advisor is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in your financial journey. The right advisor will provide personalized guidance, align with your goals, and offer an unparalleled client experience. With so many options available, how do you ensure you choose a firm that truly prioritizes your needs? Here are six essential questions to ask when selecting a financial advisor.

1) What kind of client experience can I expect?

Your financial situation is unique, and your strategy should reflect that. The very best client experience involves a team of professionals committed to understanding your specific circumstances, goals, and risk tolerance. Using that information, the team should work together to develop and implement a fully tailored, integrated financial plan. Investment recommendations are a piece of this; in addition, you should look for an advisory team that, among many things, recommends strategies that maximize your tax efficiency, considers the structure of your estate plan to ensure it aligns with your long-term objectives, leverages insurance to minimize your risk, and discusses withdrawal strategies to meet your evolving needs.

2) How will a firm meet my long-term needs?

A deep, lasting partnership begins with trust and is sustained by a team that upholds a high level of service and competency. To best serve you and your family for generations to come, look for a team that can grow with you as the complexity of your situation changes. A team-based approach is essential to ensure continuity and a relationship that endures to serve your family for generations.

3) What measures are in place to protect my personal and financial information?

In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, technology plays a crucial role in financial planning. The right firm will embrace innovation to optimize your financial experience by offering real-time portfolio tracking, financial planning software, and digital tools that enhance transparency and efficiency. With the use of digital tools comes the importance of adhering to cybersecurity best practices. Ensure that the firm has robust security protocols in place to safeguard your personal information. Ask about encryption practices, secure client portals, and how they mitigate cyber threats to protect your wealth and identity.

4) What is the firm’s investment philosophy?

Understanding the firm’s investment philosophy is key to aligning their strategies with your financial objectives. Do they focus on long-term growth, risk management, or sustainable investing? A firm’s approach to investing should be disciplined and match your comfort level and aspirations for the future. The result should be a diversified portfolio that is built not just to grow, but to sustain your lifestyle—even through periods of market volatility.

5) Who will be managing my financial plan, and what are their qualifications?

It’s important to know the experience and credentials of the professionals handling your financial future. Does the firm have a team with a strong track record of success? Look for a planning team with certifications such as CFP® (CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®), CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst®), CPA (Certified Public Accountant), J.D. (Juris Doctor) or AIF® (Accredited Investment Fiduciary), which demonstrate depth of knowledge in various disciplines of wealth management, a commitment to acting in your best interest, and an ability to support your financial plans throughout life transitions. If you like what you see, don’t be afraid to ask to speak with a handful of their clients to gain a better understanding of their experience.

6) How is the firm compensated?

Understanding how an advisor is paid helps ensure that their interests align with yours. Are they fee-only, fee-based, commission-based, or a combination of both? A fee-only or fee-based fiduciary advisor has a transparent fee structure. This can give you confidence that your advisory team is working in your best interest, rather than being driven by commission incentives.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right financial advisor is about more than just investment management—it’s about finding a team that understands your unique needs and prioritizes your experience to enhance your financial future. By asking these essential questions, you’ll be well-equipped to select an independent, fiduciary financial advisory team that truly has your best interests in mind and can help you achieve your financial goals with confidence.

The views expressed represent the opinion of Sequoia Financial Group. The views are subject to change and are not intended as a forecast or guarantee of future results. This material is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice and is not intended as an endorsement of any specific investment. Stated information is derived from proprietary and nonproprietary sources that have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness. While Sequoia believes the information to be accurate and reliable, we do not claim or have responsibility for its completeness, accuracy, or reliability. Statements of future expectations, estimates, projections, and other forward-looking statements are based on available information and Sequoia’s view as of the time of these statements. Accordingly, such statements are inherently speculative as they are based on assumptions that may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Investing in equity securities involves risks, including the potential loss of principal. While equities may offer the potential for greater long-term growth than most debt securities, they generally have higher volatility. Past performance is not an indication of future results. Investment advisory services offered through Sequoia Financial Advisors, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply a certain level of skill or training.