| Phoenix Financial Planner | | | | considering using a financial planner, be sure to ask |
| A financial planner typically prepares financial plans for | | | | about their background. If they have a credential, ask |
| his or her clients. The kinds of services financial | | | | them what it means and what they had to do to |
| planners offer can vary widely. Some financial | | | | earn it. |
| planners assess every aspect of your financial | | | | Some financial planners have credentials like CFP |
| life—including saving, investments, insurance, taxes, | | | | certification or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). Find |
| retirement, and estate planning—and help you | | | | out what organization issued the credential, and then |
| develop a detailed strategy or financial plan for | | | | contact the organization to verify whether the |
| meeting all your financial goals. Other professionals call | | | | professional you are considering did, in fact, earn the |
| themselves financial planners, but they may only be | | | | credential and whether the professional remains in |
| able to recommend that you invest in a narrow | | | | good standing with the organization. For a helpful list |
| range of products and sometimes products that are | | | | of various financial industry credentials (including the |
| not securities. | | | | name of the issuing organization and any education or |
| When hiring a financial planner, you should know | | | | experience required to attain the credential), please |
| exactly what services you need, what services the | | | | read FINRA Understanding Investment Professional |
| planner can deliver, and any limitations on what he or | | | | Designations. |
| she can recommend. In addition, you should | | | | The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards |
| understand what services you are paying for, how | | | | also has brochures – What You Should Know |
| much those services cost, and how the planner gets | | | | About Financial Planning and Questions to Ask When |
| paid. Financial planners charge for their services in | | | | Choosing a Financial Planner – that will help you |
| different ways: some charge either a fixed fee or an | | | | identify a financial planner who is right for you. |
| hourly fee for the time it takes to develop a financial | | | | Financial planners who give investment advice to their |
| plan, but do not sell investment products; some are | | | | clients must register with the SEC or the appropriate |
| paid by commissions on the products they sell; and | | | | state securities regulator. For more information about |
| others use a combination of fees and commissions. | | | | investment advisers, read the publication entitled |
| Financial planners may come from many different | | | | Investment Advisers: What You Need to Know |
| educational and professional backgrounds. If you are | | | | Before Choosing One. |