How To Find The Right Partner For Your Financial Planning Needs

Selecting a financial planner can be challenging, but it is possible. Read on to know what are the qualities and red flags you should watch out for

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb

The Illusion Of Control

In your 40s, you’ve handled million-dollar projects, led teams, and negotiated complex deals. Managing your own finances should be easy, right?

Sorry to break this to you, it is not.

Not because you are not capable. But because wealth brings complexity. Taxes, investments, market cycles, cash flow, retirement planning, estate management—it’s a web that gets messier with time. And the cost of one small mistake compounds over the years.

Yet, most people delay finding a financial planner because of one simple reason: They can’t trust who they meet.

• “What if they just sell me expensive products?”
• “How do I know if they are actually good?”
• “Why pay for something I can do myself?”

Valid questions. And ones that can save you lakhs of rupees if answered correctly.

So, let’s get to the real question.

How Do You Find A Financial Partner Who Actually Adds Value To Your Life?

The Three Non-Negotiables

The right financial planner must have three key qualities:

Integrity – Are they working in your best interest?

Competence – Do they actually know what they’re doing?

Energy – Are they proactive, engaged, and invested in your success?

As Warren Buffet said, “In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if you don't have the first, the other two will kill you”.

• A planner with integrity and energy but no competence will genuinely try to help you, but might lack the expertise to make a real difference.
• A planner with competence and integrity but no energy will give you a great plan, but won’t be around later when you need them most.
• A planner with competence and energy but no integrity will sell you the wrong products, may mislead you into doing things not in your interest.

How To Identify The Right Financial Partner

Here is how you separate the right from the wrong:

1. Do They Ask The Right Questions?

The wrong planners jump straight into what products to sell you. The right ones ask:

• What does your ideal future look like?
• What keeps you awake at night financially?
• What do you want your money to do for you?

If a planner is not interested in your life beyond returns and tax savings, they are not building a plan for you. They are selling a generic one-size-fits-all template.

2. Are They Transparent About How They Earn?

Ask point-blank:

• “How do you make money from our engagement?”
• “Do you earn commissions from the products you recommend?”

The right financial partner should have no hesitation in explaining how they get paid. Transparency builds trust.

3. Do They Have A Track Record?

Would you take medical advice from someone who just started practicing? Financial planning is no different. A seasoned planner has:

• Experience across market cycles. They have seen booms and crashes
• A portfolio of clients with needs similar to yours
• Real-world case studies, testimonials, or references
• Experience matters. You do not want someone learning on your money.

4. Are They Focused On Products Or Process?

The wrong planner’s first question is: “Are you interested in this investment?”

The right planner’s first question is: “What are you trying to achieve?”

Financial planning is not about finding the best mutual fund, it is about creating a structure that ensures you live well. The best advisors focus on the plan, not just the products.

5. Do They Talk In Plain English?

The finance world is filled with jargons and throwing them around makes some feel intelligent. However the right planners talk in simple terms:

• They simplify complex concepts
• They don’t make you feel clueless or rushed
• They ensure you are making decisions with clarity, not confusion
• If an advisor makes you feel like you need them just to understand what is happening, that is a red flag.

Red Flags to Watch Out For:

• “This is the best investment for you.” (Before understanding your goals?)
• “I guarantee high returns.” (Run. No one can guarantee anything.)
• “I can help you save on taxes—just sign this.” (Blindly signing anything = financial suicide.)
• No clear fees, commissions, or conflicts of interest. (Transparency is key)

The Real Value Of A Financial Partner

A financial planner is not just someone who helps pick investments. A great one:

• Prepares you for major life transitions—career shifts, retirement, wealth transfers
• Acts as a guardrail—stopping you from impulsive financial decisions
• Keeps you accountable—so that good habits stick
• Takes the burden off you—so you can focus on living, not managing numbers

Think of it like this. If you need your house painted, of course you can do it yourself. But if you get a professional, they will probably come with the right tools, get work done faster and leave behind a lot less mess.

The right kind of advice is not a cost. It is an investment for clarity, confidence, and financial peace of mind.

Key Takeaways

• Integrity is non-negotiable. Competence and energy are crucial too.
• There right planner focuses on your goals, not their commissions.
• Transparency, experience, and clear communication separate the best from the rest.
• The right financial partner isn’t about managing investments. It’s about building a life that money supports, not controls.

Final Thought

Your career has a progress plan. Your health has a fitness plan. Shouldn’t your wealth have a growth plan too?

The right financial partner makes your hard earned money work harder for you.

The author Bhuvanaa Shreeram 🎯 is a certified financial planner and co-founder and head of financial planning, House of Alpha Investment Advisors Private Limited