Questions to Ask Your Financial Adviser (And How We Answer Them)

Because a good relationship starts with honest answers

Choosing a financial adviser is a big decision – you’re trusting someone with your finances, your goals, and your future. So it’s only right that you ask the tough questions.

At FTA Financial & Wealth Management, we welcome those questions. In fact, we encourage them. Here are 10 questions you should ask any adviser and how we answer them.

1. Are you independent or restricted?

✅ Our answer: We’re fully independent. That means we’re not tied to any provider, or product. We search the whole of the market to find what’s best for you, not what’s on our shelf.

2. How do you get paid?

✅ Our answer: We’re fully transparent on fees and you’ll always know what you’re paying and what you’re getting in return. We charge either a flat fee or a percentage-based fee depending on the service. No hidden charges, no surprises.

2. What qualifications do you hold?

✅ Our answer: All our advisers are fully qualified and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Including qualifications in specific areas like retirement planning, investment management, and estate planning and we commit to ongoing training to stay ahead.

4. Do you specialise in working with people like me?

✅ Our answer: Yes. We specialise in helping healthcare professionals, business owners, and high earners plan for the future. We understand the complexity of NHS/private income, practice ownership, tax planning, and retirement timing and we’ve built our approach around it.

5. How will you help me reduce tax?

✅ Our answer: Tax planning is at the heart of what we do. From pension contributions, ISAs, and capital gains tax planning to IHT mitigation strategies, we’ll build a tax-efficient structure around your financial goals — so more of your money stays with you and your family.

6. What happens if markets crash or my circumstances change?

✅ Our answer: Your financial plan is a living strategy. We don’t just build a plan and disappear – we stay with you, reviewing and adjusting as life evolves. We use cashflow modelling, risk analysis, and proactive support to help you stay calm and stay on track.

7. How do you choose which investments to recommend?

✅ Our answer: We start with your goals, risk profile, and timeline – then use independent research and rigorous due diligence to choose investments from the whole market. We focus on long-term strategy, not short-term speculation.

8. How will you keep in touch with me?

✅ Our answer: You’ll receive regular check-ins, annual reviews, and real-time updates when needed. We’re proactive and accessible and we’ll agree a communication style that suits you, whether it’s face-to-face, Zoom, email, or phone.

9. What if I already have pensions, investments, or protection in place?

✅ Our answer: That’s fine. We’ll review what you’ve got, explain whether it’s still working for you, and only recommend changes where they genuinely add value. Often, clients benefit from consolidating or restructuring, but only if it’s in their best interest.

10. What makes you different from other advisers?

✅ Our answer: We combine technical expertise with a genuinely personal approach. We’re not chasing sales – we’re building long-term relationships. We know our clients by name, not account number. And as a team that understands your world, from dental practice sales to retirement planning, we bring advice that’s relevant, timely, and tailored.

Final Thought: Ask the Questions That Matter

A good financial adviser won’t avoid tough questions – they’ll welcome them. If you’re considering working with someone, use this list. And if you’re considering working with us, we’ll answer every question with clarity, honesty, and your best interests at heart.

Ready to ask your questions?

Book a free, no-obligation discovery call with FTA Financial & Wealth Management and let’s explore what matters most to you.