Charles Grimm, CPA, PFS, MBA, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor & Financial Planning Consultant, Managing Director
Choosing an appropriate financial advisor is about more than experience — it’s about trust, clarity, and alignment. Charles Grimm, CPA, PFS, MBA, CFP®, Senior Wealth Advisor & Financial Planning Consultant, Managing Director, recommends five key questions to ask before making your decision:
1. Are you a fiduciary?
A fiduciary is legally required to always act in your best interest. This means their advice should prioritize your goals and financial well-being over their own potential earnings. Confirming fiduciary status gives you confidence that your advisor’s guidance is unbiased and aligned with what truly matters to you.
2. What are your qualifications?
Credentials like CPA, CFP®, or PFS indicate rigorous education, practical experience, and adherence to ethical standards. Understanding an advisor’s qualifications helps you assess their expertise, the depth of their knowledge, and their commitment to maintaining high professional standards.
3. What are my fees and charges?
Financial transparency is essential. Advisors may be compensated through flat fees, hourly rates, or commissions on products. Knowing how your advisor is paid can prevent surprises, allows you to evaluate the value of the services, and highlights any potential conflicts of interest.
4. How does the relationship work, and what defines success?
Clarifying how often you will meet, the types of updates you’ll receive, and the metrics used to measure progress holds the accountability to both sides. It allows you to track your financial plan, stay informed, and be confident that your advisor is focused on achieving the outcomes that matter most to you.
5. What is your investment philosophy?
An advisor’s approach to investing should align with your personal goals, values, and tolerance for risk. Understanding their philosophy helps you anticipate how your portfolio may perform under different market conditions and informs you that investments are structured to support your long-term objectives.
Creating a Foundation of Trust
Asking these questions thoroughly helps you form a relationship with your advisor that is transparent, intentional, and focused on your success. It creates a foundation where trust and communication guide financial decisions.
“Transparency builds trust,” Charles emphasizes. “Clients deserve to know exactly how the relationship works, what they’re paying for, and how success will be measured.”
Take the first step toward a financial partnership built on clarity and confidence. Connect with our team today to explore how we can help you achieve your goals and navigate your financial journey.
Please send your questions, comments, and feedback to: info@mai.capital. The opinions and analyses expressed herein are subject to change at any time. Any suggestions contained herein are general, and do not take into account an individual’s or entity’s specific circumstances or applicable governing law, which may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and be subject to change. Distribution hereof does not constitute legal, tax, accounting, investment, or other professional advice. Recipients should consult their professional advisors prior to acting on the information set forth herein. In accordance with certain Treasury Regulations, we inform you that any federal tax conclusions set forth in this communication, were not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
