How to Tell If Your Financial Advisor Works for You
Here’s a quick gut check: when was the last time your advisor called you first?
If you can’t remember, that tells you a lot. A real advisor works for you, not around you.
Ask yourself a few simple questions:
Do they review your plan regularly without you having to chase them?
Do they explain why they recommend something, or just tell you what to buy?
When markets get messy, do they call to keep you calm — or disappear until things blow over?
An advisor who truly works for you measures success by your plan staying on track, not by their quarterly production numbers.
Another clue: If every recommendation uses their firm’s proprietary products, that’s not coincidence — that’s policy. Independent fiduciaries can shop the whole marketplace; captive advisors can’t.
And don’t be afraid to ask the blunt question:
“How are you compensated on this recommendation?”
If they hesitate or the answer feels foggy, it’s probably not aligned.
Good advice feels collaborative. You should leave a meeting understanding what happened, not wondering what you missed.
