Trustworthiness and relevant qualifications are clients' top considerations when choosing a financial adviser, according to a survey conducted by a global financial planning firm.
Advice business deVere Group, which has a network of 70 offices across the world, surveyed close to 400 clients and found more than a third selected trustworthiness as one of the top priorities when finding a financial planner.
Close to 30 per cent of respondents also said the adviser must hold the relevant qualifications, while proven track record also remained a key factor.
deVere Group's founder and chief executive Nigel Green said the three aspects — trustworthiness, education and proven track record — were all linked by the client's need to enjoy complete peace of mind.
"In the eyes of the person whose financial strategy he or she is managing, the adviser enjoys a status very similar to that of a doctor, only instead of being trusted with overseeing physical well being, the financial expert is being entrusted with the fiscal health of the individual," Green said.
"The best way to go about selecting who to work with is to do your homework, don't be afraid to ask the awkward questions, look for someone who will help you make the right financial choices — even if they are not necessarily the ‘easy' ones at the time — ensure the adviser has any specialist expertise you might need, and verify that he or she works within a robust organisation."
