By Mike Gibbons, RICP®

Working with a financial advisor means you can spend less time managing the many pieces of your financial house and more time enjoying life. From estate planning to tax-efficient strategies to high-net-worth family office services, working with a financial advisor can help you envision the path to financial success you’re looking for.

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, such as less stress, improved financial security, and increased confidence in your future (just to name a few).

With today’s market volatility and historic inflation, having a qualified advisor to work with and plan for a brighter future is essential. There’s just too much going on to do everything yourself. At Gibbons Financial Group, you can always count on us to guide you through life’s toughest financial challenges.

Let’s outline some points you can share with your friends and family to help illuminate the importance of working with a financial advisor. 

How 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 pursue 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

How to Choose a Financial Advisor

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. (1)

Do You Know Someone We Can Help?

At Gibbons Financial Group, many of our clients are referrals from existing clients because our happy clients can’t help but share how we’ve helped them gain more financial clarity in their lives.

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, our office number is 224-419-5550. They can also email me at Mike@gibbonsfinancialgroup.com to schedule a complimentary consultation.

About Mike

Michael J. Gibbons is founder and president of Gibbons Financial Group, an independent advisory firm providing custom-tailored financial planning and investment management services to pharmaceutical and healthcare professionals and their families. Mike has over 25 years of experience and spends a significant portion of his day working with pre-retirees and retirees, focusing on asset management, Social Security and pension planning, as well as retirement income preparation. 

Mike has degrees in both business and psychology from Lake Forest College and currently holds his Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP®) designation from the American College. Mike was named a Five Star Wealth Manager for 2016 and 2018* Mike is heavily involved in his community, having served on the Village of Gurnee Police Pension Board as a Community Volunteer and the St. Patrick’s Parish Financial Board. When he’s not working or volunteering, Mike loves playing golf and spending his time with his wife and children. To learn more about Mike and how he can help you, connect with him on LinkedIn, visit his website, and register for his free webinar, Retiring Early From Pharma, created specifically for professionals retiring from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare industries.

*Award based on 10 objective criteria associated with providing quality services to clients such as credentials, experience, and assets under management among other factors. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of 2016/2018 Five Star Wealth Managers.

Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

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(1) https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/top-10-financial-certifications