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1 Relevant qualifications
Use an adviser with professional certification and ask him to declare the scope of his services. In line with the Securities and Futures Act and Financial Advisers Act, financial advisers are required to be certified under the various Capital Markets and Financial Advisory Services Examination modules, said Ms Helen Neo, head of consumer banking, Maybank Singapore. The Certified Financial Planner is one such certification.
2 Experience
You would not consult a doctor who had graduated just yesterday. Doctors serve in hospitals for a while to get practical experience; similarly, it pays to find a financial adviser with a few years of experience.
If you are a mass affluent investor - young with an annual household income of about $72,000 - you could engage an adviser with about three years of experience, while a top-end affluent client - in your late 30s with an annual family income of at least $250,000 - should go for an adviser with about 10 years' experience, said Providend chief executive Christopher Tan.
3 Independence
Some advisers who sell insurance policies, securities or unit trusts have relationships with the firms providing these products. The advisers may also earn a fee from referring you to an accountant or lawyer when the plans are implemented. These commercial relationships should be disclosed to you, said Mr Ben Fok, chief executive of Grandtag Financial Consultancy. He suggested that investors ask for a description of the adviser's conflicts of interest in writing.
Mr Tan said investors who want to engage an independent adviser should avoid insurance firms and banks as their advisers would typically have access to only 'house brands'.
4 Relevant licence
Deal only with advisers licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). You can check if a firm or individual is authorised by using the MAS website or asking to see the original of the adviser's licence, said Mr Fok.
5 Firm's reputation
Reputation is important. Check the website and read the corporate profile.
6 Comprehensive advice
The adviser should conduct a proper fact finding of your financial health situation. Besides the financial analysis, ask how you can access your money in the event of an emergency, said ipac's Mr Greg Campbell.
'Your adviser should be able to provide regular written reports, and you should look for signs of excessive or unauthorised trading of your account. Also, you should be advised on proper disclosure on exit clauses, surrender charges and sales commissions,' he added.
7 Team approach
Financial planning is usually not done by one person. How can a professional adviser be an expert in investments, insurance, legal matters, tax and other areas? Mr Tan suggested working with an adviser who specialises in general financial planning but who is also supported by specialists in particular areas.
If the adviser works with professionals outside his own practice, such as lawyers, property agents or tax experts, to develop recommendations, check their backgrounds and ask if additional charges are involved, said Mr Fok.
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
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