Certified Retirement Financial Advisor Near Me - What He Said About Me
When I moved into my first home, I looked for a certified retirement financial advisor near me because I wanted someone with whom I could talk. I figured that if I talked to my neighbors, friends or co-workers, I would end up with the wrong decision. Instead, what I found was people who didn't know each other and would talk about themselves the whole time I was around. It made it difficult for me to interact with the people I needed for my retirement planning.
Looking For a New Financial Advisor
A few years later, I was looking for a new financial advisor and knew I wanted to get a CFP with more education and experience. My husband and I searched high and low but weren't able to find anyone at all in our area. The next thing we did was go online, get information from the website of the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards and find out who is best suited for us.
Upon further research, we discovered that there are two different professional organizations in Colorado. They are the Financial Planning Association and the Financial Planning and Retirement Association. Both of these organizations are similar, but they have different focus. The FPA is more consumer oriented while the FTRA is more geared towards employers and larger corporations. I guess the main difference is that we preferred a financial planner who was more connected with working with other people. Not only should he have a thorough understanding of the financial markets and regulations, he should also be on top of issues affecting his client's families.
Also, we wanted someone who was licensed by the local and state boards to work as a financial advisor. This ensures that he or she is knowledgeable about the laws and guidelines governing retirement accounts, money and investments. They should also be familiar with tax laws and the different financial brackets.
So, what went into deciding which certified Certified Retirement Financial Advisor Near Me to choose? Actually, the process was rather simple. First, we started asking friends and family what they thought about different people they knew. We gathered a list of people and contacted them to see if they would be willing to take the time to meet with us. Obviously, we got a lot of feedback and we were able to narrow down the list to a handful of people.
The Advisor Clarified Our Company's Needs
Once we had selected two or three people, we contacted them one on one. We grilled them about their current financial situation, current savings and investment portfolios, and future financial objectives. Then, we asked them if they would be interested in working with a certified retirement financial advisor. Of course, each person was different and so no two meetings were exactly the same. We took notes on specific areas that we felt were important.
During the first meeting, the advisor clarified our company's needs and philosophy. He also provided information on the minimum qualifications, as well as the more specific requirements for his position. We were able to clarify more about tax regulations, investment strategies, asset allocation and other items that would play a part in assisting us towards our financial goals. I was impressed by his knowledge and his willingness to explain things to me clearly.
During our second meeting, he presented a more detailed plan on how we could reach our financial goals. In addition, he also provided some ideas for boosting our income and reducing expenses. By the end of the meeting, I already had some additional questions that I had not already asked. So, I signed up for the job that day. The rest, is history!