It is completely fair to ask how a financial adviser earns money. Pretending incentives do not matter is how people end up surprised later.
Why remuneration matters
How an adviser is paid can influence the advice environment. That does not mean every fee model is bad. It means transparency matters.
You want to understand whether the adviser is paid by you, through ongoing fees, through insurance commissions, through percentage-based fees, or through another arrangement.
Ask the direct question
Try this: ‘Can you explain every way you are paid if I become a client?’ A good financial adviser should answer calmly and clearly.
If the answer needs interpretive dance, keep asking.
Transparency gives you the ability to judge the advice properly.
Look at behaviour too
Does the adviser explain alternatives? Do they recommend only one platform or product family? Do they give you time to decide? Do they make fees easy to understand?
Those behaviours tell you a lot.
Before choosing an financial adviser, ask how they are paid. A professional adviser will treat that as a normal question, because it is.
Why not have a chat to our friendly team? Book a time: https://partnersinplanningaus.setmore.com/book or give us a call on 1300 880 100.