How to Choose the Best Financial Advisor in India

Making sound financial decisions to remain economically well-off has always been the need of the hour. With multiple areas to invest in, being land, homes, gold, e-gold, plots, equity, derivatives, bonds, currency, etc, there exists a necessity now more than ever to remain aware of what financial decisions are to be made. And this is where a financial advisor steps in! A financial advisor, as defined by Investopedia, 'provides financial advice or guidance to customers for compensation. But how do we choose the best Financial Advisory Services In Navi Mumbai? We’re here to help!

Financial advisors are professionals who provide expertise for clients' decisions revolving around money matters, personal finances, and investments. Choosing the right advisor to escape fraudulent assistance or claim is vital. The following tips may help you.

• Ensure the advisor’s credentials are valid

For a professional to be termed a financial advisor, they should be registered with the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). An additional qualification is Certified Financial Planner (CFP) issued by The Financial Planning Standard Board, the USA which is issued to an individual only after passing their stringent test.

• Seek experience

Unless you wish to gamble with your future, do not seek the advice of an amateur. Use the services of someone who has gone through multiple market cycles and has a minimum of five years of experience. While some may charge an exorbitant fee, exercising caution in the field of money is always wise.

• Pay close attention to the fee charged

Unlike usual services where no fee charged sounds like a bonus, if a financial advisor may not seek a fee for their services, then they may be dependent on commissions raised, and hence, may not guarantee unbiased financial advice. Remember to be upfront with your financial advisor about your plans and how much they would seek that advice. A good financial advisor would charge anywhere from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per year. Depending on the type of advice, that amount could either rise or fall.

• Refer to previous clients to gauge the experience

Trust your gut- do not pick out a financial advisor just because they give out the 'right feeling'. Remember to refer to the advisor's previous known clients to learn of their experience working with them. Have a deep background check- review their LinkedIn profiles, ratings, and reviews. If unsure of individuals, seek advice from firms. For instance, some financial advisory firms in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra include Finvin Financial Planners and Max Secure Financial Planners.

• Be self-aware

Most importantly, ensure that you too remain aware of how the market changes. While a financial advisor does exist to assist in financial planning, their sole purpose might not always be to help you administer again. Read through the guides on SEBI, which while being rather exhaustive, ensures that you too have a stronghold over all things finance and will serve as a plus point later on.