How to Choose a Financial Advisor in Canada
A practical guide to roles, licences, compensation and questions to ask before choosing financial help.
Resources
Financial Knowledge Is More Useful When You Can Apply It.
The CC MoneyWise+ Resource Centre answers the questions people often have before they are ready to book a conversation.
The goal is not to overwhelm you with financial information.
It is to help you understand enough to make a better next decision.
Published resources
Start with the guides that are ready now
Is Your Savings Account Your Heirs' Biggest Blind Spot?
A high-interest savings account is a safe place for your money while you're living. Here is what can happen to it in Ontario when you're gone, and how to set up your safe money so it reaches your family the way you intend.
Topics in development
Future resource areas
These topic areas guide upcoming public resources and MoneyWise Notes.
Manage Your Money
- Cashflow
- Money habits
- Irregular income
- Debt
- Saving
- Preparing financially for retirement
Protect What Matters
- Life insurance
- Critical illness insurance
- Disability and income protection
- Insurance basics
Build Your Financial Life in Canada
- Credit
- Banking
- Insurance
- Registered savings concepts
- Newcomer financial education
Build for the Future
- Investing concepts
- Preparing to invest
- Risk and investment objectives
- Retirement preparation
- Questions to ask investment professionals
Make Better Financial Decisions
- Behavioural finance
- Money psychology
- Choosing financial professionals
- Understanding fees
- Financial scams and red flags
Free Financial Health Scorecard
Where Are You Starting From?
Not ready to book a conversation yet?
Start with a simple financial check-in. The CC MoneyWise+ Financial Health Scorecard helps you look at your money habits, cashflow structure, protection awareness and future priorities so you can see what may deserve attention next.
Start with the Scorecard
You'll be taken to a dedicated, secure page to complete your Scorecard.
MoneyWise Shop
Printable tools you can use right away
Printable fillable planners, organizers, binders and personal finance tools from CC MoneyWise+, sold through my Etsy shop.
Featured guide
How to Choose a Financial Advisor in Canada
Choosing someone to help with your money should begin with a different question:
What kind of financial help do I actually need?
Different professionals provide different services. Before choosing someone, understand:
- What they are qualified to provide.
- What licences or credentials they hold.
- How they are compensated.
- Whether they sell financial products.
- Whether their experience matches your needs.
- And what happens after the first meeting.
In the Guide
- 01How to identify the type of financial help you need
- 02Financial advisor versus financial planner
- 03Licensing and credentials
- 04How financial professionals may be paid
- 05Questions to ask
- 06How to check qualifications
- 07Why the right professional depends on the problem you are trying to solve