I recently read an article on the
Top 9 Questions Potential Clients Ask Advisors
. Having been in many meetings with potential clients, some of
these are more common than others. Overall, I thought it was a
great list for someone interviewing potential advisors. I've never
had to sit on the other side of the table in one of these meetings,
but these are
questions you should ask and answers you should know
about your investment advisor. Here are my responses to the top
questions:
1. Have you ever been cited by a professional or
regulatory governing body for disciplinary reasons?
No.
I, as well as all the advisors at Snider Advisors, have never been
cited for any disciplinary reason. The scary truth is
very rarely
am I ever asked this question.
2. Does any member of your firm act as a general partner,
participate in, or receive compensation from investments you may
recommend to me?
No one receives compensation or commissions for the sale of our
investment recommendations. For full disclosure some of our
advisors, including myself, are licensed to sell insurance. The
firm does receive a commission from the sale of insurance products.
Overall, the
Snider Investment Method
is the primary focus of our firm. Insurance, primarily Long-Term
Care, is a very small part of our business but essential to many of
our client's financial plans.
3. Describe your typical client. Can you provide me with
some names and telephone numbers of your long-term
clients?
About half of our clients are Baby Boomers who are transitioning
from the accumulation phase to the distribution phase of their
financial plan. The other half consists of retired clients already
taking distributions and living off their portfolio income.
Typically, our clients have a net worth between $500,000 and $3
million. We also have a list of clients willing to share their
experience. Be aware, most firms have a list of references that
consist of their biggest, best, and happiest clients.
4. What educational degrees and professional
certifications do you hold?
I am a Chartered Financial Analyst and have a B.S.B.A in Finance
and Economics. The CFA charter is globally recognized as the gold
standard investment credential. You can learn more about the CFA
charter and CFA Institute
here
.
5. Are you a registered advisor?
Yes.
Why is this important?
As registered advisors, we have a fiduciary responsibility. This
means putting the clients' interest
FIRST
. Many people within the investment industry are not required to
uphold the fiduciary standard.
6. Where will my assets be kept?
We never take possession of our client's funds. We have the
ability to place trades in our client's accounts, but cannot move
funds without their approval. The custodian and broker for our
asset management accounts is
Interactive Brokers
. If you trade the Snider Method on your own, you can choose any
custodian (broker) you would like.
7. How many more years do you plan on being a financial
advisor?
When compared to the standard investment professional, I am
fairly young. I truly enjoy my job and would expect to be an
investment advisor for another 20 or 30 years.
8. How will you help me meet my financial goals?
First, we'll discuss your goals and fears. Many investors
haven't ever defined them. Then, together we will decide if the
Snider Investment Method
is right for you. We have a very specific strategy and approach to
investing. It is not right for everyone. We don't try to be all
things to all people. If your goals match the objectives of our
strategy, we will be a good fit for one another.
9. Why?
I believe we've come up with the best solution to the problems
many investors face. But, it still needs to be the right fit for
both parties. Find out if the
Snider Method is Right for You
or
Take the Snider Method Assessment.
Finally, I thought the list was missing one question. The tenth
question should be:
Do you personally invest using this investment
strategy?
My answer is YES! You can learn about my first trades
here
.
The intent of this article is to help expand your financial
education. Although the information included may be relevant to
your particular situation, it is not meant to be personalized
advice. When it comes to investing, insurance and financial
planning, it is important to speak to a professional and get advice
that is tailored to your unique, individual situation. All
investments involve risk including possible loss of principal.
Investment objectives, risks and other information are contained in
the Snider Investment Method Owner's Manual; read and consider them
carefully before investing. More information can be found on our
website or by calling 1-888-6SNIDER. Past performance is not
indicative of future results.