Working With a Financial Advisor
By Angela Dorsey
There seems to be a common misconception that financial advisors are only for wealthy people. But the truth is that advisors work with a broad range of clients, creating a path toward financial success by helping you avoid common financial mistakes. In fact, working with a financial advisor is considered one of the biggest “secrets” to achieving financial success.
As a current client, you know firsthand how nerve-wracking it can be to take the first step in hiring a financial advisor. But you also know the multitude of benefits that can come from a strong client-advisor relationship: less stress, improved financial security, and increased confidence in your future (to name just a few).
With today’s market volatility and historic inflation, having a trusted advisor to work with and plan for a brighter future is essential. And because women face unique challenges that men usually don’t have to manage, it’s important to develop a relationship with a trusted financial advocate to help evaluate the best options to reach your financial goals and navigate new scenarios as you experience life’s changes. There’s just too much going on to do everything yourself. At Dorsey Wealth Management, you can always count on us to guide you through life’s toughest financial challenges.
Do your friends, family, and coworkers have this kind of support system? A trusted financial advocate may be the missing piece they need to achieve their financial goals. With the right financial partner, they’ll know they have someone they can go to with all their financial questions down the road—no matter how big or small.
When a Financial Advisor Can Help
Even if your friends or family feel confident in their finances, they may not realize the common mistakes they’re making or the investment opportunities they’re missing out on. A financial advisor can look at every piece of your finances and help you understand the larger picture of how to achieve true financial security.
A financial advisor can help you navigate common life events, like:
- Significant changes to income
- Marriage or divorce
- Buying or selling a house
- Having a child
- Planning for higher education
- Severe disability or illness
- Passing of a spouse
- Transition to retirement
- Questions about investments
- Questions about insurance
- Questions about tax-management strategies
- Legacy planning for heirs
Choose Your Advisor Carefully
It’s never too late to hire an advisor, and no matter what season of life you’re in, you can reap the benefits an advisor provides. That being said, hiring the right advisor is a task that should not be taken lightly. There are many different certifications, designations, and licenses in the financial services industry, each with their own education and experience requirements. Be sure you know exactly who you’re hiring before signing on the dotted line.
The CFP® certification is commonly regarded as the industry gold standard, but CFA®, Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC), and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) are also highly sought-after designations.
Can We Help Someone You Know?
At Dorsey Wealth Management, we partner with women and couples to help them make smart decisions about their money so they can retire to a life they love. Our goal is to provide honest and accurate financial advice without all the stress and anxiety that comes with the process. We’re happy to say that many of our clients are referrals from other clients.
If you know someone who would benefit from a collaborative advisor-client relationship, please send them our way! Consider sharing this article with them, and if they’re interested in partnering with us, they can schedule a free introductory 30-minute phone call to get started.
And if you have any questions about your own financial plan, get in touch with us at (310) 370-7776 or angela@dorseywealth.com.
About Angela
Angela Dorsey is the founder and financial advisor at Dorsey Wealth Management, a fee-only financial planning firm based in Torrance, California, helping successful women and couples prepare for retirement. Angela earned a BS in computer science from Loyola Marymount University, an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, and spent 20 years as a Senior Compensation Specialist in large corporations before becoming a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). That background gave her the tools to couple with her passion for empowering women to make the best financial decisions possible. Angela lives in Torrance, California, with her husband. She enjoys spending time at the beach or surrounded by nature. To learn more about Angela, connect with her on LinkedIn.