Most clients see what we do as akin to showing them that we know how to work a time machine. We talk to them, gather some of their nail clippings and hair, say some generally unintelligible mumbo-jumbo like asset allocation, uncompensated risk, intentionally defective trust and the crystal ball clears. We interpret what it all means and the clients think they can now see their futures.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The ability to analyze and evaluate all of the information used in a comprehensive financial plan takes a great deal of training and experience. You cannot get that training from a computer program. You can start by going through the training needed to get your CFP® (Certified Financial Planning™ designation), but the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors requires a 3 year internship before they allow members to be a NAPFA Registered Financial Advisor®. If it were my future, I would want someone with a long track record. The planner you choose to plan your future will be analyzing and evaluating your:
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Our job during this part of our planning process is to provide a SOLUTION. What we do here is to provide each client with solutions to their financial needs. When the clients leave our office, they should feel their particular problems or worries are solved or in the process of being solved. We label that "peace of mind" but, when you boil it down, it is during this part of our planning process that we are providing a solution to clients' financial needs. |
