How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group (2024)

It’s important to remember that although you hire your financial advisor as a professional to perform a specific task, your satisfaction level will be largely based on the relationship you develop. And, as with all relationships, expectations and communication play key roles. Many investors are busy, find in-person meetings burdensome and feel they’ve hired the advisor to do the work and worry for them. Others feel the need to be more involved and, perhaps, reassured with more regular interactions. In addition to striking the appropriate balance for you and your personal situation with your advisor, there are certain times when meetings are essential.

Annual meeting

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance. This is the time to discuss whether you feel you are on the right track, and if there is something you could be doing better to increase your net worth in the coming 12 months.

Estate planning

When you’re creating or making a major change to your estate plan, you should meet with your financial advisor to make sure those plans fit in with your strategic financial planning scheme. Of course, your advisor cannot offer legal advice, but they can ensure your estate plan is proceeding in the right direction.

Significant financial event

Whether it’s coming into more money through an inheritance or promotion at work or acquiring a large debt, a significant financial event should trigger a meeting with your financial advisor. Your taxes, strategies and the structure of your portfolio may be impacted.

Major life-changing event

Your short and long-term financial planning can be altered by events such as marriage, birth of a child, divorce, loss of a job and many others.

Large portfolios

If you are an investor with a large portfolio, it’s likely to be diversified in ways different than the average investor. If so, a quarterly review may be more appropriate than an annual one to, for example, re-evaluate underperforming assets.

Again, one size does not fit all when it comes to financial advice. One way to provide an overview as to where you are with your investments is to visit our quick reality check for your portfolio. You’ll be glad you did.

Disclosure

The information contained herein is based on internal research derived from various sources and does not purport to be statements of all material facts relating to the securities mentioned. The information contained herein, while not guaranteed as to the accuracy or completeness, has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

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How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group (2024)

FAQs

How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group? ›

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance.

How much money should I have to meet with a financial advisor? ›

Depending on the net worth advisor you choose, you generally should consider hiring an advisor when you have between $50,000 - $1,000,000, but most prefer to start working with clients when they have between $100,000 - $500,000 in liquid assets.

How much should you tell your financial advisor? ›

An advisor needs to know how much money you bring in each month and each year. It will help them create a realistic plan for meeting your goals and protecting your assets. Yet, some clients don't disclose all their income sources to their advisor.

Is it smart to meet with a financial advisor? ›

Meeting with a financial planner regularly can help you establish healthy financial habits and keep you accountable to your goals. Although, there are major life events that may prompt you to seek out a certified financial planner for guidance on how to move forward.

Are financial advisors required to meet with clients annually? ›

Take the time to examine which model best fits your client's needs, and document that examination in your notes. Client contact. Another requirement of the safe harbor is that each client be contacted at least annually to determine whether his or her financial situation and/or investment objectives have changed.

What is the 80 20 rule for financial advisors? ›

The rule is often used to point out that 80% of a company's revenue is generated by 20% of its customers. Viewed in this way, it might be advantageous for a company to focus on the 20% of clients that are responsible for 80% of revenues and market specifically to them.

How often should my financial advisor meet with me? ›

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance. This is the time to discuss whether you feel you are on the right track, and if there is something you could be doing better to increase your net worth in the coming 12 months.

Is 2% fee high for a financial advisor? ›

Answer: From a regulatory perspective, it's usually prohibited to ever charge more than 2%, so it's common to see fees range from as low as 0.25% all the way up to 2%, says certified financial planner Taylor Jessee at Impact Financial.

Is 1% a lot for a financial advisor? ›

While the typical annual financial advisor fee is thought to be 1%, according to a 2023 study by Advisory HQ, the average financial advisor fee is 0.59% to 1.18% per year. However, rates typically decrease the more money you invest.

Should you put all your money with one financial advisor? ›

Whether you should consider working with more than one advisor can depend on your overall goals and financial situation. If you're fairly new to investing and you haven't built up a sizable net worth yet, for instance then one advisor may be sufficient to meet your needs.

What to avoid in a financial advisor? ›

Here are seven mistakes to avoid when hiring a financial advisor.
  • Consulting with a “captive” advisor instead of an independent advisor. ...
  • Hiring an individual instead of a team. ...
  • Choosing an advisor who focuses on just one area of planning. ...
  • Not understanding how an advisor is paid. ...
  • Failing to get referrals.

What are the disadvantages of a financial advisor? ›

Limited availability: Financial advisors may not be available at all times, which can be a problem if you need urgent advice or assistance. Risk of scams: unfortunately, there is a risk of financial scams in the industry, and it's important to be aware of this risk when working with a financial advisor.

Should you tell your financial advisor everything? ›

It might come as a surprise, but your financial professional—whether they're a banker, planner or advisor—wants to know more about you than how much money you can invest. They can best help you achieve your goals when they know more about your job, your family and your passions.

Do you need a lot of money to have a financial advisor? ›

Some traditional financial advisors have minimum investment amounts they require to work with clients. These can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or even more. Why? Because their fees need to cover their time and expertise, and managing smaller portfolios may not be cost-effective for them.

How many clients does a good financial advisor have? ›

What is a good advisor-client ratio? It depends on who you ask but a typical answer is anywhere from 50 to 150 clients per advisor. Having 50 clients could be enough if you're focusing on high-net-worth individuals.

Do financial advisors charge monthly or yearly? ›

They can only charge fees, and the most prevalent structure is the assets under management, or AUM, model. AUM fees are calculated as a percentage of the assets they manage and are payable as long as the advisor has a relationship with the client. These fees can be paid on a yearly, quarterly or monthly basis.

At what point is it worth getting a financial advisor? ›

A financial advisor is worth paying for if they provide help you need, whether because you don't have the time or financial acumen or you simply don't want to deal with your finances. An advisor may be especially valuable if you have complicated finances that would benefit from professional help.

Is a 1 fee worth it for a financial advisor? ›

While 1.5% is on the higher end for financial advisor services, if that's what it takes to get the returns you want, then it's not overpaying, so to speak. Staying around 1% for your fee may be standard, but it certainly isn't the high end. You need to decide what you're willing to pay for what you're receiving.

What is the minimum assets for a wealth manager? ›

It depends on the firm you choose. Many firms offer a wide range of services and may require a minimum investment of $25,000 to $250,000 or more. Some firms only cater to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, while others cater to smaller investors with investment minimums as low as $5,000.

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