As a consumer, it’s important to do your research to determine what kind of financial services professional is best suited to help you meet your short- and/or long-term financial goals.
- Think about what your financial goals are and what products and services you might need to help you achieve them. For example, do you need advice on retirement planning and have a specific dollar amount in mind to have saved/earned by the time you retire?
- Do your research on professionals that could help you achieve your financial goals and identify an individual(s) that you may want to work with.
- Ask Questions! Here are some questions that might be helpful to ask when determining who to work with:
- what is your financial services education, background, or training?
- how long have you been providing the services you’re currently offering?
- what credential(s) / licence(s) do you have?
- who is the issuing credentialing / licensing body?
- are you bound by a code of conduct, if so, what is it?
The financial services professional you’re considering may call themselves a Financial Planner or Financial Advisor, and if you elect to work with them, you will have confidence knowing that they*:
- have met specific education and examination standards
- are required to put the client’s interest first and ensure the fair treatment of consumers
- are actively being supervised by a FSRA-approved credentialing body
- are subject to a complaints and discipline process
*To help the industry, and their clients, adapt to the new Financial Professionals Title Protection Framework, Financial Planner and Financial Advisor title protection regulation will be phased in over time. During this period, speak to your financial services professional and ask if they are permitted to use the Financial Planner or Financial Advisor title and/or if they are eligible to use the transition period. You can also check to see if they have a valid credential from a FSRA-approved credentialing body on the Approved Credentialing Body and Credentials page, which will be updated as additional credentialing bodies and credentials are approved.