Checklist for Interviewing a Financial Planner

Planner’s Name:______

Company:______

Address:______

Phone:______

Fax:______

Email:______

Website:______

1.Do you have experience in providing advice on Special Needs Financial Planning? If yes, indicate the number of years.

2.How did you get involved in Special Needs Financial Planning as a profession?

3.Do you know the difference between SSI and SSDI? If yes, how does this pertain to my situation?

4.Can you explain the concepts of a Special Needs Trust and the principles behind its purpose? How would this help me in my planning?

5.How long have you been offering financial planning advice to clients?

  • Less than one year
  • One to four years
  • Five to 10 years
  • More than 10 years

6.Briefly describe your work history.

7.What are your educational qualifications?

8.What professional financial planning designation(s) or certification(s) do you hold?

  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ or CFP®
  • Certified Public Accountant-Personal Financial Specialist (CPA-PFS)
  • Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC)
  • Other

9.What financial planning continuing education requirements do you fulfill?

10.Are you or your firm licensed as a RegisteredInvestment Adviser? Will you provide me with your disclosure document Form ADV Part II or its state equivalent?

  • Yes
  • No

If no, why not?

11.How are you paid for your services?

  • Fee
  • Commission
  • Fee and Commission
  • Salary
  • Other

12.What do you typically charge?

A)Fee:

Hourly Rate $______

Flat Fee (range) $______to $______

Percentage of assets under management ______percent

B)Commission:

13.A)Are you affiliated with any company whose products or services you are

recommending?

  • Yes
  • No

Explain:

B)Is any of your compensation based on selling products?

  • Yes
  • No

Explain:

14.Do you have an affiliation with a broker/dealer?

  • Yes
  • No

If yes, name of broker/dealer______

If no, why not?

15.Do you provide a written client engagement agreement?

  • Yes
  • No

If no, why not?

16.Can you provide 3 families as a reference that you have provided Special Needs Financial Planningadvice to? May I contact them?

17.Can you provide 3 other professionals in the disability community as a reference? May I contact them?

SOURCE: Obtained from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. website at Modified for use with special needs clients in “The Special Needs Planning Guide: How to Prepare for Every Stage of Your Child’s Life” by John W. Nadworny, CFP® and Cynthia R. Haddad, CFP®, Reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2007 by Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., Inc., April 2007.