Find your financial professional

Before your first meeting with a financial professional make sure you have some idea about what your financial goals and needs are, and think about how much you can realistically save towards these on a monthly basis. During the first meeting, your financial professional should ask you questions that make you talk about what matters most in your life, and he will help you clarify the goals you want to achieve with your money.

It's worth checking the level of qualification of your financial professional. Certification from organisations such as the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) are important to have.

Advice and recommendation of solutions provided by your financial professional must be tailored around your specific needs and circumstances.

It is also important that your financial professional is willing to build a relationship with you, as your financial needs are likely to change over time. A financial professional should be in contact with you on a regular basis, and at least twice a year.

If your circumstances do change, having this relationship means any changes needed to your financial planning will be taken into consideration at your next review meeting.

1. What made you decide to become a financial advisor?
2. If we decide to work together, what will that process look like?
3. Why are you the right adviser for me and how will you address my key financial concerns?
4. Do you specialize in working with certain clients?
5. Do you work as part of a team?