8 Questions To Ask Your Adviser

 The world feels more volatile than ever, with daily market swings, cost of living pressures and mounting geopolitical tensions. While this can be unsettling, it also presents a great opportunity to seek independent advice. Here are 8 things to ask yourself when beginning to work with an adviser.  

1. Is the advice you receive independent? An independent financial adviser must always act in your best interest, without conflicts or commissions. If your adviser cannot clearly confirm this, you may not be getting truly independent advice.  

1. Have we developed a comprehensive financial plan? Are we still on track? 

Your investment choices should stem from a thorough and up-to-date financial plan. If your adviser hasn’t documented your goals, needs, and overall strategy, or isn’t reviewing and updating this regularly, consider this a red flag.  

1. Do you use goals-based investing?  

Generic diversification from model portfolios are no longer enough. Modern portfolios should be tailored to your personal and family objectives – whether that’s intergenerational wealth transfers, asset accumulation, philanthropy, or a specific retirement lifestyle. 

1. How often are we interacting? 

Quality advice isn’t “set and forget.” You should feel comfortable that your advisor is adjusting your portfolio based on your best interests between meetings. 

1. Do I have access to the best solutions in the market? 

Some advisers are constrained to recommend “in-house” investments or those with kickbacks to the firm. Has your adviser explained how your product choices are selected, and do you have full access to leading investment opportunities—locally and globally? 

1. Do my investments reflect my tax and estate plan?  

Tax management is critical for long-term returns. Your adviser should proactively minimise your tax burden and integrate your estate planning goals, working seamlessly with tax and legal experts as needed. 

1. How else can your advice help my family? 

Holistic wealth advice covers more than investments: think family governance, education of the rising generation, wealth transfer plans, and strategic business exit planning.  

1. Have you considered private investments for my portfolio? 

Private market investments – such as private equity, property, or alternatives, are becoming an increasingly important complement to public market investments, often outperforming public market returns. Ask your adviser how they select and access these opportunities, what fees are involved, and their track record.