Are you feeling dissatisfied with your current financial advisor? If so, it’s essential to take control of your financial future and make a change. Our comprehensive guide on how to change financial advisors will help you understand when it’s time to switch, how to prepare, and navigate the transition to ensure a seamless and successful transition to a financial advisor that truly understands your needs and goals.
Recognizing When It’s Time to Change Financial Advisors
The decision to change your financial advisor can be daunting but is often necessary to protect your investments and achieve your financial goals. Finding a good financial advisor to replace your current one can make all the difference in reaching those goals. If you’re considering making a change, it might be time to switch financial advisors, or in other words, switching advisors.
Three main signs indicate that it’s time for a change: communication breakdowns, surprising fees and charges, and divergent investment strategies.
Communication Breakdowns
Effective communication is the cornerstone of a successful relationship with your financial advisor. If you feel unheard or ignored, it may be time to find a new advisor who will prioritize your needs and goals.
Maintaining a smooth relationship with your advisor requires regular check-ins, ideally on a quarterly basis, to keep them responsive to your evolving requirements. If your financial goals change, your advisor should be willing to discuss your needs, provide expert advice, and modify your plan if necessary.
Surprising Fees and Charges
Unexpected fees and charges from your financial advisor can be a major red flag, signaling that it’s time to find a new advisor with a more transparent fee structure. Understanding all costs tied to your investments, including mutual fund fees, is a crucial step, since hidden fees can significantly dent your returns and overall financial success.
When transferring investments, pay close attention to sales charges and termination fees, as not all advisors may disclose these costs upfront. If you believe you’re being charged excessively, consider seeking out a certified financial planner or advisor better suited to your objectives and budget.
Divergent Investment Strategies
Discrepancies between your investment strategies and those of your advisor can lead to conflicts and unsatisfactory results. Be cautious of financial advisors who only contact you to make trades, as they may be receiving commissions based on these trades without considering your long-term financial objectives.
Holding annual review meetings with your advisor to evaluate your investment strategies and their alignment with your financial goals is a necessary step.
Preparing for the Switch: Gathering Information and Records
Gathering all the necessary information and records before making the switch is a prerequisite to a smooth transition. This includes reviewing your current advisor agreement, compiling investment documents, and understanding any potential costs and penalties associated with the change. It might be the time to switch, but being well-prepared is essential.
Investing time in researching and comparing different advisors is pivotal in finding the best fit.
Reviewing Your Advisor Agreement
Before changing financial advisors, review your current advisor agreement to understand the terms and conditions for termination and any associated fees. Pay close attention to regulations dictating the circumstances under which you may leave the firm and transfer your investment accounts.
While your new financial advisor or custodial firm will manage the logistics of transferring your funds, being aware of any stipulations in your existing agreement remains important.
Compiling Investment Documents
A seamless transition to your new advisor hinges on the collection of all relevant investment documents like account statements and tax returns. These documents provide a comprehensive record of your investment holdings, transactions, and performance, enabling the successful transfer of assets and serving as a reference point for evaluating your investments.
Utilizing a desktop scanner to digitize and store documents can reduce paper clutter and provide easy access to your records.
Understanding Costs and Penalties
Be aware of any costs and penalties associated with changing financial advisors, including termination fees and charges for selling non-transferable assets.
You may incur certain costs when transitioning to a new financial advisor, thus reviewing your specific situation and accounting for these expenses is a necessary step in making the switch. If your current advisor charges a termination fee, consider requesting that your new advisor provide reimbursement for this fee.
Finding the Right Financial Advisor for You
Securing your financial future depends largely on the choice of the right financial advisor. To find the best fit for your and your needs, consider the differences between fiduciary and non-fiduciary advisors.
Start by identifying the services and expertise you require, and make sure to conduct thorough background checks.
Fiduciary vs. Non-Fiduciary Advisors
Fiduciary advisors are legally bound to act in your best interest, while non-fiduciary advisors may have conflicts of interest. Choosing a fiduciary advisor ensures that they will prioritize your needs and goals without any hidden agendas.
Be cautious, as not all financial advisors are fiduciaries, and the advisor may have business or financial interests that could affect their judgment and potentially harm your investments.
Identifying Required Services and Expertise
Identifying the specific services and expertise you require aids in finding the right advisor. Begin by establishing clear and precise financial goals, then consult a financial advisor or planner who can help you identify the services and expertise required to achieve those goals.
A wealth management professional will evaluate your current financial situation, assess your goals, and recommend appropriate financial services tailored to your needs.
Conducting Background Checks
Before selecting a financial advisor, conduct a thorough background check using resources like the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website and FINRA’s BrokerCheck. These tools provide information on advisors’ backgrounds, qualifications, and any disciplinary actions, ensuring you choose a trustworthy and experienced professional.
Investing time in researching potential advisors ensures that you collaborate with the right professional.
Navigating the Transition: Steps for a Smooth Switch
Transitioning to a new financial advisor, a significant decision, requires taking necessary steps to ensure a smooth switch. This includes:
- Initiating the transfer process
- Handling non-transferable assets
- Communicating with your old advisor.
Initiating the Transfer Process
Work with your new advisor to initiate the transfer process, which may involve using systems like the Automated Customer Account Transfer Service (ACATS) to manage the transfer of stocks and a mutual fund among other mutual funds.
The ACATS system standardizes and automates the transfer process, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience for you.
Handling Non-Transferable Assets
Identifying and addressing any non-transferable assets, which may need to be sold before completion of the transition, necessitates consultation with your new advisor. Be aware of any fees and penalties associated with selling these assets, and consider transferring them “in kind” to avoid high transaction fees.
Additionally, determine the cost basis for any investments before selling to ensure a smooth transition.
Communicating with Your Old Advisor
Decide how to communicate with your old advisor about the change, whether through a direct conversation, a letter, or allowing your new advisor to handle the communication.
Documenting the conversation and sending any letters via certified mail can provide support in the event of any disagreements or grievances in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to change financial advisors?
To make a change in financial advisors, read your contract’s fine print, gather investment records, leave the transfer process to your new advisor, ask about fees and check mutual fund fees. Following these steps will help ensure a smooth transition.
What do you say when switching financial advisors?
We believe it is best to practice the Golden Rule and let your current advisor know that you are transitioning to a new firm. You can do this via phone or email to be courteous and respectful.
What is the difference between a fiduciary and a non-fiduciary financial advisor?
Fiduciary financial advisors are legally obligated to act in their client’s best interests, while non-fiduciary advisors may have their own interests at heart.
How do I determine the specific services and expertise I need from a financial advisor?
To determine the specific services and expertise needed from a financial advisor, it is essential to set clear financial goals and consult a professional to aid in reaching them.