Once you find a financial advisor, the real work begins. First and foremost, you’ll want to make your advisor aware of any financial matters that relate to what they’ll be doing for you. This could include discussing your goals for the future, detailing the size and contents of your investment accounts and assessing your current financial status.
The above is usually followed by some kind of questionnaire for you. This will help the advisor find out more about you as an investor, giving them a picture of your attitude to risk, your overall goals, and any specific investment choices such as funds you would like to avoid. These insights will inform their decisions. For example, your timeframe to retirement is extremely important, as are your income needs. In the end, the advisor will try to determine a few key factors: risk tolerance, time horizon, liquidity needs, long-term financial goals and investment preferences.
After your advisor invests your money and creates your financial plan, it should be mostly smooth sailing. You’ll of course need to check in with them regularly, to keep them fully apprised. You should also alert your advisor whenever your plans for the future change. The sooner you do that, the sooner they can begin adjusting your investments and plans.