If you are in the market for a financial planner, finding an expert who understands you and your needs can seem like a daunting task. Where should you start? How do you know if the advisor you are considering is both ethical and highly qualified? How can you find the advisor who is best for YOU?
The Chicago Area Fee-Only Financial Advisors Network is a consortium of financial planning experts who have qualifications, experience and credentials that exceed those of most financial advisors.Even though each of us is an independent business owner, we know, respect and enjoy exchanging ideas with each other.
The Chicago Area Fee-Only Financial Advisors Network is a consortium of financial planning experts who have qualifications, experience and credentials that exceed those of most financial advisors.Even though each of us is an independent business owner, we know, respect and enjoy exchanging ideas with each other.
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When selecting a Chicago area fee-only financial advisor, make sure you know more than just their name and professional credentials. Here are some guidelines. The first step is to decide whether you want to work with a fee-only financial advisor or with an advisor that is paid by commissions.
You will also need to decide if you are comfortable working remotely (via telephone and email) with a professional located somewhere around the world or if you would prefer working with someone in your own community with whom you can talk face-to face.1. Use FINRA BrokerCheck to make sure that the investment professional and his or her firm are properly registered.
You will also need to decide if you are comfortable working remotely (via telephone and email) with a professional located somewhere around the world or if you would prefer working with someone in your own community with whom you can talk face-to face.1. Use FINRA BrokerCheck to make sure that the investment professional and his or her firm are properly registered.
Contrary to popular belief, most advisors are NOT required to act in the best interests of their clients! In fact, the compensation structure for a financial advisor can play a significant role in determining his or her objectivity. Commission-only advisors (i.e., stockbrokers) are paid only when they make a sale.
In the corporate environment of large brokerage and investment management firms, the best interests of the client often come second to the firm's desire to maximize profit. A board of directors, company management, and public shareholders all add layers of influence that, in our opinion, detract from the ability of an advisor to provide conflict-free advice.
All Chicago Area Fee-Only Financial financial planners live in the greater Chicago, Illinois, area. We operate our businesses here, raise our families here, and participate actively in our communities here. Consequently, we know and love this region and understand its wonderful benefits and unique challenges.
All members of the Chicago Area Fee-Only Financial Advisors Network hold the professional financial certifications, credentials, licenses and registrations necessary to provide you with expert financial advice. All members are also Certified Financial Planner professionals. In addition, many hold certifications such as CPA, EA, AIF and FSA.
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