How to interview a financial advisor: 15 questions to ask
Bring these to every first meeting and compare the answers side by side.
By the ChooseAFinancialAdvisor.com editorial team · Reviewed October 2026 · 3 min read
An interview with a financial advisor can feel lopsided. They do this every day, and you may do it once in your life. The fix is preparation: ask every advisor the same questions, take notes, and compare afterward.
You don’t need all fifteen. Pick the seven or eight that matter most to you, and use our Free tools to build a list tailored to your situation.
About the services
- What services would you provide for someone in my situation?
- Who are your typical clients, and how am I similar or different?
- How often will we meet, and how can I reach you between meetings?
About cost
- How are you paid: fees, commissions, or both?
- What would I pay in total each year, in dollars, including fund and trading costs?
- Is there an account minimum, and is it flexible?
About their background
- How long have you been an advisor, and what licenses or designations do you hold?
- Are you a fiduciary for all of the advice you’d give me?
- Who else on your team would work on my accounts?
About their approach
- How do you decide how to invest a client’s money?
- What did you tell clients during the last big market drop?
- How would you coordinate with my accountant or attorney?
About the relationship
- What would our first 90 days look like?
- How will we measure whether I’m on track?
- If I decide to leave, how does that work, and are there fees?
What good answers sound like
Good answers are specific. “I’d charge 0.9%, which on your $500,000 is about $4,500 a year” is a good answer. “It depends, but our fees are very competitive” is not. Strong advisors also tell you what they don’t do, such as “I don’t sell insurance; I’ll refer you to someone who does.”
This guide is general education, not financial advice. Your situation is your own, so talk with a qualified professional before making decisions.