How to Work Effectively with Your Financial Advisor

After more than two decades helping families across the country, I’ve learned something surprising: Even highly successful people don’t always know how to be great clients.

Many assume that once they hire a financial planner, the process will feel like working with an accountant, gathering documents, handing them over, and waiting for a plan. But that’s not how a truly effective financial-planning relationship works.

In this article, I’ll share what I’ve seen make the biggest difference for clients who build strong, productive relationships with their advisors, and how you can do the same.

Watch the video below for a breakdown of how to work with a financial advisor, or keep reading.

A Financial Planner Isn’t an Accountant — We’re More Like a Personal Trainer

Working with a CFP^® professional is much more about relationships than transactions.

I often compare it to hiring a personal trainer. A trainer provides expertise, structure, and accountability, but progress still depends on you showing up, communicating honestly, and following through.

The same is true in financial planning: Our team brings the knowledge, experience, and commitment, but we achieve your goals only when you’re engaged and open about what’s happening in your life.

5 Ways to Be a Great Financial-Planning Client

1. Be Transparent

Tell me the full story — income, goals, fears, even the “messy” parts. I can only create a strategy you’ll feel confident using if I understand your real situation. When you hold back, we risk designing a plan that doesn’t fit you or your comfort level.

2. Be Clear About What You Want

Spend some time reflecting, ideally with your spouse or partner, on what matters most. What are your top priorities? What worries you? What kind of future excites you?

My job is to align your plan with your values, not what social media or neighbors say should be important.

3. Stay Engaged

Some people spend more time planning a week’s vacation than their financial future. Once we start working together, keep the momentum going: send requested information promptly, attend review meetings, and take small, consistent steps forward. Momentum is what turns strategy into progress.

4. Communicate Often

Please don’t wait for “big events” to reach out. Decisions like replacing a car, helping a family member, enrolling in new benefits, or receiving an inheritance all impact your overall plan. A quick conversation before taking action can save time, reduce stress, and sometimes even save on taxes.

5. Be Realistic

If there’s one certainty in financial planning, it’s that change is inevitable — markets, laws, or life itself.

A good financial plan isn’t fixed; it adapts. When you stay flexible and realistic, we can adjust the course and continue working toward your goals.

Quick Reference: How to Be a Great Client

4 Common Traps That Can Derail Your Progress

Even well-intentioned clients sometimes get in their own way. Here are four pitfalls I see most often when it comes to working with a financial advisor:

1. Playing the Comparison Game

Comparing your finances to friends, colleagues, or people online often leads to frustration. Social media “success stories” rarely show the full picture. Focus on your own progress instead of someone else’s highlight reel.

2. Market Timing

Delaying action because you’re waiting for the “perfect” moment, after an election, when the market drops, or when rates change, usually leads to missed opportunities. Your plan already considers market movements; it doesn’t rely on predicting them.

3. Second-Guessing

Reflecting on past choices and wondering “Why didn’t we buy that?” or “Why didn’t we wait?” is easy with hindsight. Every decision we make is based on the information available at the time. Let’s focus on moving forward, not looking back.

4. Decision Paralysis

Overanalyzing or hesitating to act delays your progress. It’s like telling your personal trainer, “I’ll come in once I lose five pounds.”

Waiting rarely helps; you build confidence through action.

Building a Partnership That Lasts

Being a great client doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means showing up, staying honest, asking questions, and trusting the process.

When we approach planning as a partnership — built on clarity, communication, and accountability — we create a plan that supports not just your wealth but also the life you want to live.

FAQ: Building a Strong Client-Financial Advisor Relationship

Is working with a financial advisor worth it?

Yes. Working with a financial advisor is beneficial because they help you avoid costly mistakes, optimize taxes, manage risk, and stay on track, often adding more long-term value than their cost.

How often should I meet with my financial advisor?

Most clients meet once or twice a year, or when major life or financial changes occur. Regular check-ins keep your plan aligned with your goals.

What should I share with my financial planner?

Be open about your income, goals, values, and any major life events, such as job changes, inheritances, or large purchases. Transparency leads to better advice.

How do I know if my financial planner is a good fit?

Look for someone who listens, communicates clearly, and helps you connect financial goals with life goals, not just investment performance.

What’s the difference between a CFP^® and other financial advisors?

A CFP^® professional meets rigorous education, ethics, and experience standards and is held to a fiduciary duty to act in your best interest.

Schedule a Discovery Call

If you’re ready to build a thoughtful, lasting partnership around your financial goals, I’d love to start the conversation. Schedule a complimentary discovery call.

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