Choosing Your Financial Advisor

Before choosing a financial advisor, there are several factors you should take into consideration. The information below will assist you in selecting the advisor who will fit your specific investment management and financial planning requirements.

How to Select the Financial Advisor that's Right for You?

The following documents provide prudent advice on how to select the financial advisor that's right for you.

• Comprehensive Financial Advisor Checklist?
  Use this checklist to screen financial advisors provided by the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) to identify the prospective advisor's abilities and competencies. (Get Financial Advisor Checklist)
• How to Choose a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™?
  You may be considering help from a financial planner for a number of reasons, whether it’s assisting you with your investments, deciding to buy a new home, planning for retirement or your children's education, or simply not having the time or expertise to get your finances in order. Whatever your needs, working with a financial planner can be a helpful step in securing your financial future. (Read full article)
• How is your Financial Advisor Paid?
  There are multiple compensation models in the financial planning industry. Check out this video from CNN Money to learn more about the different compensation models and how the Fee-Only model compares. (Fee-Only versus Fee-Based)
• Comprehensive Financial Advisor Diagnostic
  The Comprehensive Financial Advisor Diagnostic, created by NAPFA is a thorough questionnaire you can use to evaluate a prospective financial advisor. (Get Comprehensive Financial Advisor Diagnostic Form)
• Is Your Financial Advisor Really Working For You?
  With a few basic questions, you can find out if your best interests are being protected by your financial advisor. (Read full article)
• How is a Registered Investment Advisor* different than a stockbroker?
  In the financial world today, there are basically two types of advice available to investors: that given by stockbrokers, and that given by Registered Investment Advisors* (RIAs). Unfortunately, most investors don’t know the difference between these two kinds of advice or even that a difference exists. (Read full article)
• Why are the CFP® Certification Requirements Important?
  Most people think that all financial planners are "certified," but this isn’t true. Anyone can call himself or herself a "financial planner." Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification marks. (Learn more about Certified Financial Planner Requirements)
• Stone Asset Management as Your Financial Advisor?
  As a Registered Investment Advisor firm, Stone Asset Management is regulated by the Texas State Securities Board. Typing in Stone Asset Management into SEC Investment Advisor Search will take you directly to our firm's Form ADV on file with the State.

*Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.