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Tips for chosing a financial planner(Columbian, The (Vancouver, WA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Sep. 28--In this time of economic turmoil, many of us are looking for expert assistance in managing our finances and investments. Recently, when I spoke to members of the Women Entrepreneurs Organization of Clark County about retirement planning, an important question came up: How do you choose a financial adviser? Here's how from the national Financial Planning Association. First off, the association recommends a face-to-face interview with anyone you are considering as a financial adviser. Such an interview gives you a personal sense of who this person is and if they seem forthright in their answers. Ask yourself if you have a sense of trust and rapport with this person. Are they focused on your needs, not selling products? In addition, request a written disclosure document from the planner. This will either be what's called a Form ADV or an equivalent brochure. This should answer many of your questions. In the interview ask for: -- Financial planning designations and other certifications held by the planner. -- Educational background and work experience. -- Licenses to sell certain financial products, such as life insurance or securities. -- Services the planner offers. -- The planner's basic approach to financial planning. -- Areas of specialization. -- Types of clients the planner serves, and any minimum net worth or income requirements. -- Professional affiliations, including membership in the Financial Planning Association. -- How the planner prepares a plan? -- How the planner might address your particular needs? -- Whether the planner or others will implement recommendations from the plan. -- Business relationships the planner has that might present a conflict of interest. -- How the planner is paid for services and typical charges. For more information, go to the Financial Planning Association Web site at www.fpanet.org, then click on "general public" and follow the prompts to Questions to Ask. Women & Social Security Alan Edwards, a national expert from the Social Security Administration, will be the guest speaker at two free workshops for women hosted by The Columbian. The workshops are intended to help women plan for retirement using programs and services available through the Social Security Administration. The workshops are set at 8 a.m. Oct. 17 and 10 a.m. Oct. 18 at The Columbian building 415 W. Sixth St. in Vancouver. Reservations are required. Contact Mary Ricks at 360-735-4550 or send e-mail to [email protected]. Clinic prepares for move The Vancouver Clinic is preparing to relocate next month into a new medical office building at 700 N.E. 87th Ave. near Southwest Washington Medical Center. The $30 million building replaces older offices next door, which will be demolished. The move will start Oct. 20. A grand opening is planned in November. This is the third new medical office project constructed by the doctor-owned clinic in the past five years. Julia Anderson is The Columbian's business editor. Reach her at 360-759-8071, or [email protected]. To see more of The Columbian, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.columbian.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |