3 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Financial Advisor

Choosing a financial advisor is a meaningful step toward building a confident and intentional financial future. Whether you're preparing for retirement, investing for long-term goals, or navigating a major life change, the right advisor can bring clarity, structure, and strategy to your decision-making. But not all advisors operate the same way—so how do you find someone who’s the right fit?

Start by asking the right questions. Here are three key questions to help you evaluate whether an advisor aligns with your needs and values:

1. What are your credentials and areas of specialization?

Not all financial advisors hold the same qualifications. Asking about credentials helps you understand their depth of training and commitment to ethical standards. Look for designations such as:

• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®) – signifies expertise in financial planning, retirement, investments, tax, and estate planning, and adherence to a fiduciary standard.

  
  

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – reflects deep investment knowledge and portfolio management experience.

  
  

• Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) – focuses on advanced financial planning topics.

Also ask how long they’ve been practicing, and if they specialize in areas that match your goals—like retirement income, tax strategies, real estate investing, or estate planning.

2. How are you compensated?

Advisors can be paid in a variety of ways. Understanding their compensation model helps identify potential conflicts of interest and ensures transparency:

• Fee-only: Advisors are compensated solely by their clients, often as a percentage of assets under management (AUM), hourly, or a flat fee. No commissions from products.

  
  

• Fee-based: Advisors may charge fees and also earn commissions on products they recommend.

  
  

• Commission-based: Advisors are paid by third parties for selling specific investment or insurance products.

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach—but you should feel confident that the advisor is acting in your best interest and discloses all costs and potential conflicts clearly.

3. What is your investment philosophy and planning process?

Every advisor has a unique approach to investing and planning. Ask them to walk you through their philosophy:

• Do they favor active management, passive indexing, or a blend?

  
  

• How do they manage risk and adjust portfolios over time?

  
  

• What planning tools or strategies do they use to tie investment decisions to your personal goals?

More importantly, ask how they customize strategies for individual clients and what ongoing guidance looks like. A good advisor should be able to explain their process in a way that’s clear, thoughtful, and grounded in your priorities.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a financial advisor is a decision that can shape your financial life for years to come. By asking thoughtful questions, you can gain clarity on who you’re working with, how they operate, and whether they’re the right partner for your journey. Take your time, compare options, and don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions.

The right advisor should empower you—not pressure you—to make confident decisions aligned with your goals.

Rigden Capital Strategies was founded on a simple belief: financial advice should be personal, transparent, and centered around your goals—not built on generic models or product-driven sales. With decades of combined industry experience, we’ve developed a process grounded in three core values: value, integrity, and progress.

As a fee-only fiduciary, we provide personalized, goals-based wealth planning services designed to adapt with your life. Our services include investment management, retirement and tax planning, and estate coordination. We use a mix of active and passive strategies to help clients navigate market changes with clarity and confidence.

We believe in building real relationships and delivering clear, actionable strategies—focused on long-term planning and aligned with your objectives.

Your goals, our strategies. Together, let’s make your goals happen.

Disclosure: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, legal, or tax advice. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of the information provided. Investment decisions should be based on individual circumstances, and we recommend consulting a qualified professional before implementing any financial, legal, or tax strategies. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investments carry risks, including potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee success or protect against loss in all market conditions. Investors should carefully consider their risk tolerance, investment objectives, and financial circumstances before making investment decisions. This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial, legal, or tax advice. Investment advisory services are only provided to clients of registered investment advisors under a written agreement. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult with a qualified financial professional before making any decisions based on this content.