How to Choose a Christian Financial Advisor: 10 Questions to Ask

Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision. Choosing one who shares your faith adds another layer. You want someone who understands why generosity and stewardship matter to you. You also need someone who is qualified, honest and clear about how they work.

Here are 10 questions to help you decide.

Credentials show training. The CFP® certification, for example, requires coursework, a comprehensive exam, work experience and a commitment to ethical standards set by CFP Board. Other designations exist too. Ask what each one means and how it was earned.

You can confirm CFP® certification at CFP Board's verification site (cfp.net/verify-a-cfp-professional).

Financial professionals who sell securities or give investment advice are generally registered. Anyone can check:

• FINRA BrokerCheck (brokercheck.finra.org)
• SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (adviserinfo.sec.gov)

These show employment history, registrations and any disclosures. Look before you meet.

Many advisors work through a larger firm that provides oversight, technology and custody. Ask who that firm is and what role it plays.

Common models include fees based on assets managed, flat or hourly planning fees, and commissions on products. Each model has potential conflicts. A good advisor will explain theirs plainly and put it in writing.

A fiduciary must act in your best interest. Ask which services are provided under a fiduciary standard and which are not. Get a clear answer.

This is the question that matters most for a Christian advisor, and the answer should be specific. Good signs:

• Giving is part of the planning process
• They talk about purpose, contentment and "enough"
• They can explain values-based investing options and their tradeoffs
• They respect your convictions without pushing their own

A vague answer, or one that is only a slogan, is worth noting.

Some advisors focus on young families, others on pre-retirees, business owners, widows or a particular profession. An advisor who works mostly with people like you will be familiar with your questions.

Ask about:

• How often you will meet
• Whether meetings are in person, by video or both
• What you will receive (a written plan, regular reports)
• How quickly they return calls

If you live far from the advisor's office, ask how remote work is handled and how documents are shared securely.

Ask about continuity. Who would help you if the advisor were unavailable?

Many Christian advisors serve everyone. If your spouse or family members have different beliefs, ask how the advisor handles that.

Be cautious if you see any of these:

• Faith used in place of facts. Shared beliefs do not replace clear answers on fees and risks.
• Promises. No one can guarantee investment returns.
• Pressure. "This opportunity ends Friday" is a warning sign.
• Secrecy. Unwillingness to put things in writing or to explain an investment.
• Unregistered sellers. If you cannot find someone on BrokerCheck or IAPD, ask why.

Affinity fraud targets religious communities because trust runs high. Regulators warn about it often. A good advisor will be glad you checked.

• Your church. Ask your pastor or members whose judgment you trust.
• CFP Board's Let's Make a Plan (letsmakeaplan.org) to find CFP® professionals by location.
• Christian advisor directories. Several exist. Directory listings are a starting point, not an endorsement.
• Advisors' websites and articles. Their writing shows how they think.

Many people assume they need an advisor nearby. Video meetings have made distance much less important. If you value in-person meetings, look locally. If you value a specific approach, a remote relationship may work well.

1. Make a short list of two or three advisors.
2. Look each one up on BrokerCheck or IAPD.
3. Schedule an introductory call.
4. Ask these 10 questions.
5. Pray, talk with your spouse, and take your time.

Will Snodgrass, CFP®, is an Investment Adviser Representative with Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC. He works with Christian pre-retirees, retirees and business owners from our office in The Woodlands, Texas, and by secure video across Texas. Advisory services are available only where Will is properly registered or exempt from registration. You can look Will up on BrokerCheck (CRD 5154888). To start, book a Clarity Call or take the Free Retirement Paycheck Readiness Scorecard at scorecard.matt25capital.com.

Local pages: The Woodlands | Houston | Dallas-Fort Worth (remote) | Texas

Related reading: What Is a Biblical Financial Advisor? | Faith-Based vs. Traditional Wealth Management