Choosing the right financial professional to guide you starts with asking the right questions. There’s no universal standard for who can call themselves an advisor, so education, credentials, and experience matter more than titles.
Training and Experience
Some states require little more than a basic test or diploma to use the term “advisor.” At The Meakem Group, education is foundational. Co-founded by a former teacher, our team holds eight degrees, twelve securities licenses, and three insurance licenses, with over fifty-seven years of combined experience.
Credentials that Count
Not every set of letters after a name carries the same weight. The CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) professional designation is among the most respected, requiring education, experience, a comprehensive exam, and ongoing ethics standards. You can verify credentials using FINRA’s Professional Designations Database or find CFP® professionals at cfp.net.
Who Holds Your Assets
Your custodian should be reputable, secure, and independent from your advisor, providing accurate statements and an additional layer of oversight. You can review background and disciplinary information through FINRA BrokerCheck.
Understand Motives
If someone online is promoting an investment, ask why. They might own what they’re recommending or be paid to promote it. Learn more about how to spot these red flags through FINRA’s Pump-and-Dump Scams resource.
Smart About Money™ starts with smart questions. Knowing what to ask can help you make choices with confidence and clarity.
Any opinions are those of the author and not necessarily those of Raymond James. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not a complete description, nor is it a recommendation. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or a loss regardless of strategy selected. No investment strategy can guarantee your objectives will be met. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Every investor’s situation is unique, and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance and time horizon before making any investment decision.