Check out Jeremy’s latest podcast on finding an advisor by listening on “Apple Podcasts” or “Google Podcasts” or read below for 3 Things You Should Know Before Choosing a Financial Advisor.

#90 – Are you looking for a new financial advisor? Or perhaps you’re dissatisfied with your existing advisor and planning to switch.

Either way, searching for an ideal advisor can be difficult if you don’t know what you should be looking for in the first place!

In this episode, Jeremy Keil walks through three things you should know before choosing a financial advisor. He highlights the key characteristics that separate great advisors from mediocre ones so you can confidently identify your ideal advisor.

Jeremy discusses:

* FYI – during the episode Jeremy referenced the 6 & 63 licenses related to selling investment products vs. providing investment advice. He forgot to mention the series 7 as a license that allows one to sell investment products as well.

3 Things You Should Know Before Choosing a Financial Advisor

1) What it Means to be a Fiduciary

Many people ask us, “Are you a fiduciary?”

When we say yes, they move right into the next question. However, there are important follow-up questions to ask!

Ask the prospective advisor: Are you acting as a fiduciary TO ME?

The answer to this really depends on whether the advisor is a broker or an investment advisor.

A broker is somebody who earns commission when they sell you an investment product. An investment advisor is someone who gives you ongoing investment advice and holds to that fiduciary standard.

Investment advisors are preferable to commission-based brokers if you’re searching for a true fiduciary.

One way to know if a particular professional is a broker or an investment advisor is through websites like BrokerCheck and Investment Adviser Public Disclosure. (Some advisors might be both. In that case, it depends on what service they are providing you with.)

Broker or investment advisor: Neither of them are wrong. Who you work with depends on your financial needs.

2) Finding a good advisor

“How do I find an advisor who’s any good?” is probably the biggest question you have while looking for a financial advisor.

The truth is, nobody claims to be a bad financial advisor. Separating good advisors from bad ones is up to you — the client.

Now, we know there’s no black and white answer to what makes a financial advisor a good one. But there are best practices you can adopt to find the advisor most suitable for your specific needs, such as:

Above all, a good advisor is someone that helps you feel confident about your retirement decisions.

3) Understanding Your Advisor’s Compensation

When choosing a financial advisor, it’s important to know their compensation structure.

There are three ways in which most advisors get paid:

You want to know how advisors get paid because you want to align your needs with how that advisor is compensated.

For example, suppose you pay a one-time commission to an advisor for selling you an annuity. In that case, you can’t expect ongoing investment advice from them without any additional compensation.

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If you want to learn more about finding an advisor, check out the resources below!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help you achieve your ideal retirement!

Resources:

Connect With Jeremy Keil:

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Disclosures

Videos/Podcasts/Blogs (media) published prior to June 30, 2025, were recorded and approved while the advisor was affiliated with Thrivent Advisor Network. These media reflect the advisor’s views and interpretations at that time. The information and disclosures contained in those media were believed to be accurate and complete as of the date of recording, but may not reflect current market conditions or Alongside, LLC, policies.

All content is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized investment advice. Read below for current disclosures and potential conflicts of interest.

This media is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not consider the investment objectives, financial situation, or particular needs of any consumer. Nothing in this program should be construed as investment, legal, or tax advice, nor as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security or to adopt any investment strategy.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the host and any guest, current as of the date of recording, and may change without notice as market, political or economic conditions evolve. All investments involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past Performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Consumers should consult their own qualified attorney, CPA, or other professional advisor regarding their specific legal and tax situations.

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Alongside, LLC, doing business as Keil Financial Partners, is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or expertise. Advisory services are delivered through the Alongside, LLC platform. Keil Financial Partners is independent, not owned or operated by Alongside, LLC.

Additional information about Alongside, LLC – including its services, fees and any material conflicts of interest – can be found at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/333587 or by requesting Form ADV Part 2A.

The content of this media should not be reproduced or redistributed without the firm’s written consent. Any trademarks or service marks mentioned belong to their respective owners and are used for identification purposes only.

For important disclosures visit: https://keilfp.com/disclosures/

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