Finding a good Investment Advisor

There are numerous ways to find a reliable independent investment advisor that can help meet your investment needs.
Since many independent advisors do not advertise, a good place to start is to ask a trusted professional such as your attorney, accountant or insurance professional for a recommendation. Often the expertise of a friend or relative with good judgment and financial acumen may also be helpful.
In addition, you are invited to contact Trident Wealth Management without cost or obligation. We are happy to schedule a free initial consultation in your home or office to discuss your investment needs and to review your current portfolio.
We will gladly provide answers to these and any other questions that you may have about investment management services. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision about selecting the right investment advisor to meet your needs.
We look forward to meeting with you and helping you develop an investment plan that truly provides you with "Financial Peace of Mind^sm".

To schedule an Appointment
Please call our office at
(480) 346-1333 or visit our website
at www.twmaz.com

13 Questions to ask BEFORE selecting an Investment Advisor

What are the Advisor's Professional Credentials?

Ask the advisor about his professional education, experience and the length of time he has worked in the financial services business.
There are significant differences between the training, experience and credentials of stockbrokers, financial planners and registered investment advisors. Investigate carefully - don't be confused by the titles "advisors" call themselves these days. Many stockbrokers prefer to be called Financial Advisors or Financial Consultants and insurance salespeople often call themselves Financial Planners.

Is the Advisor's Approach Objective?

Your advisor should avoid all conflicts of interest and work only in your best interest at all times. Does the advisor have referral fee arrangements with anyone?

Did the Advisor Ask About Your Investment Needs, Objectives and Risk Tolerance?

A good advisor will ask you personal questions about your needs and circumstances. Your answers to these questions will enable the advisor to design a personal investment plan that will meet your needs for growth, income as well as conform to your tolerance for investment risk and investment time horizon.

These are some of the Questions the Advisor Should Ask You…
· Can you provide me with a statement showing your current investments?
· May I see a copy of your latest income tax return?
· Do you have any extraordinary medical expenses?
· Do you have a capital loss carry forward?
· What is your current income and net worth?
· How much income do you need from your investments?
· What are your investment goals?
· How long do you plan to keep the funds invested?
· Do you have any unusual investment requirements?
· What is the annual rate of return that you expect from your portfolio?
· How much of a decline in your portfolio can you tolerate during a 12-month period?
· Are your assets held as separate or community property?
· Do you have an up-to-date estate plan?
· Are your assets held in trust?
· Have you changed title to the name of your trust for all assets you want administered under   the terms of your trust?

What is the Advisor's Investment Process?

The advisor that you are considering should have a sound, logical and consistent investment process that he will follow whether the investment markets go up or down.

Are you in Your Comfort Zone?

How is the "chemistry" between you and the prospective advisor? Are you comfortable asking questions and are the answers to your questions clear and understandable?

How Will the Advisor Keep in Touch With You?

Good communication is critical for a successful business relationship. A good investment advisor will call you no matter what the market may be doing.

Does the Advisor Prepare a Written Investment Policy Statement?

Will the advisor work with you to develop a written statement that outlines your investment objectives? Such an Investment Policy Statement is the "blueprint" that defines how the advisor will manage your portfolio.

Is the Advisor's Fee Reasonable?

Your investment advisor should charge only one reasonable fee. The costs of managing your investments have a large impact on your investment results. When working with an investment advisor, your total annual fees should average no more than 1½% per year.

Who Holds My Assets and Will They Be Safe?

Your investment advisor should never take possession of your funds or securities. Instead, an independent third-party custodian such as a brokerage firm (either full service or discount), bank or trust company should be used to hold your securities. Make certain that your assets always remain titled in your name at the firm the advisor uses to hold custody of his client's assets.

What Kind of Reports Do You Provide and How Frequently?

In addition to the monthly statement sent by the independent custodian showing recent activity in your account, the investment advisor should, at a minimum, provide you with a quarterly summary of your holdings that includes the cost basis of each security.

Do You Provide a Report Showing the Investment Performance of My Portfolio?

One of the most important duties an investor should not overlook is managing the investment manager. Monitoring the investment performance of the assets in your portfolio is a critical element of long-term investment success.

What Benchmarks Do You Use for Comparison?

Ask the advisor about the standards he uses to measure the investment performance of your portfolio. For example, does he compare your performance against the S&P 500 Index or the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000; is a Bond index included?

May I have a Copy of Your Disclosure Brochure for My Review?

Every Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is required to provide his clients with a Disclosure Brochure sometimes referred to as Part II of Form ADV. This document is filed with state and federal regulatory authorities and contains important information about the advisor's personnel, business activities, practices, investment methods and strategies.

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In addition to having a good attorney, accountant and insurance professional, one of the most important things you can do to preserve and increase your wealth is to select an independent investment advisor. Just as your primary care physician manages your healthcare, your investment advisor can help you make certain that your investments remain productive and meet your current needs.

In the same way that a good doctor builds your confidence regarding your healthcare, an experienced, professional independent financial advisor can provide you with "Financial Peace of Mind^sm".