Let’s be sure we are on the same page.

Given the importance of this relationship, we need to have a positive rapport. Although it isn’t always easy (talking about money is often quite emotional), a constructive relationship built on trust will help us work together to reach your financial goals.

To make our working relationship as strong as possible, here are five important questions to ask me:

Beyond having an advisor to create and manage your investment portfolio, you may be interested in tax planning, estate planning, insurance, trusts and any number of other financial services. Think about what you want, and find out the breadth of my services.

There are many different ways to manage money. For example, some people invest in stocks that are trading for less than what they consider to be the company’s true value (“value investing”), while others choose to invest in companies that have significant growth potential (“growth investing”).

If you believe that one way is a better investment approach than others, you should let me know. This kind of information often leads to fruitful discussions about your long-term investment strategy.

You should know what your investing experience is going to be. Some clients expect a more continuous, hands-on approach, while others prefer one-hour portfolio reviews each year. Let me know what your preference is, and I can tailor my approach to you.

Fees are very important, and not just because they impact your returns. There are many ways that advisors receive compensation, with some more obvious than others. So ask me about commissions, annual fees or anything else on your mind.

We’ve probably discussed this stuff before – but I’d like to talk about it again – because your comfort comes first.

Credentials show a commitment to life-long learning. Knowledge, however, also comes from experience, especially during times of market volatility. Either way, an advisor like me who is always updating their skills is better positioned to help you attain longer-term success.

At the end of the day, it’s important to voice your expectations – and to hear about my approach to working with clients.