Finding a financial planner is about choosing a long-term partner you can trust—someone whose expertise, service model, ethics, and communication style fit how you want to make decisions. 

The right person will bring clarity in calm markets and steadiness in stormy ones, connect your investments with tax, retirement, and estate choices, and keep your plan moving when life changes. 

Use the questions below to compare advisors side-by-side and choose the one who feels like the best fit for you and your family. 

1) Qualifications: What makes you qualified to guide my whole financial life?

We assume in Ontario that just because you’re dealing with a financial institution everyone has the same qualifications. Nothing could be further from the truth. At the bare minimum, always look for someone with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® designation or who works in a practice that is led by a CFP^®.

2) Fees and value: How are you paid—and for what work? 

Fees shouldn’t be a mystery. You should hear what you pay (advice fee, product costs if any, trading costs, account fees, transactions fees, etc.) and what you receive in return (planning, meetings, coordination, implementation). Clarity builds trust. If your financial advisor isn’t being upfront about how they are paid, that should raise some red flags. 

3) Capacity and team: How many client households do you serve—and who does what on your team? 

We guard capacity so you get attention. I share our team structure and advisor-to-client ratio so you know we’ve built in time for deep planning, not once-a-year touchpoints. Overstretched teams can’t deliver the level of service you deserve. We aim to go far beyond “here’s how your portfolio did” updates and have deeper, more useful conversations about the specific ways we can improve your overall finances and well-being. 

4) Service calendar and contact cadence: What does your ongoing service calendar look like for clients like me? 

Ask about their servicing model: annual planning meetings, mid-year check-ins, time-sensitive planning implementation dates (RRSP/TFSA, tax slips, pension decisions), and what happens when life changes. A good answer is specific, not “we’ll be in touch.” 

5) Pre-decision preview: What happens before I decide to work with you? 

You deserve a clear preview of how we work—our process, what we deliver, and the insight we’ll bring to your financial life. In our practice, we start with discovery to understand who you are, what you want, and how we can partner to strengthen your financial well-being. Then we share opportunities and a draft roadmap so you can judge fit and value—before you commit. Some people simply say, “Thanks, that was insightful,” and head out; more often, they smile and ask, “So… how do we start?” 

6) Success metrics: How do you measure success? 

If the answer is “beating an index,” keep digging. Success should be “Are we on track for YOUR goals?” (retirement income, taxes, legacy, risk) with progress measured against your plan, not your neighbour’s return. 

7) Investment philosophy: How do you approach investing—and how does it serve the plan? 

Your portfolio should be the servant of your goals. Look for a clear, boring-is-good approach to diversification, costs, rebalancing, and behaviour through market swings. 

8) Down market support: How will you help when markets drop? 

Down years are where advice earns its keep. You should hear about staying disciplined and about planning moves that only appear in tough markets (tax-loss harvesting, rebalancing, opportunistic contributions, pension option reviews). 

9) Conflicts of interest: Do you act in my best interest—and how is that enforced? 

Not sure if a conflict of interest is present? Ask if they are compensated differently based on investments implemented, if they can use a range of fund managers or can only use one company for investments. If the product they chose compensates them differently than another solution. What about insurance, how are they comparing solutions across carriers. CFP^® professionals are bound to act in a client’s best interest—always. A strong answer explains that standard plainly and shows how potential conflicts are disclosed and managed. 

10) Scope of planning: What planning areas are in scope—and which aren’t? 

Ask for specifics: retirement income design, tax planning, pensions/commutations, insurance reviews, estate/beneficiaries, charitable gifting, business-owner planning, family meetings with the next generation, coordination between your lawyer and accountant. You should know what’s included. 

11) Specialized resources: Who else is at the table when I need specialized advice? 

Complex questions deserve expert eyes. In my practice we coordinate with your accountant and lawyer and, when helpful, bring in our Advanced Financial Planning team (CPAs and lawyers) at no extra cost to you—so the plan, tax return, legal documents, and investments all work together. 

12) Real examples: Can you share a real example of someone like me and what you did for them? 

You’re not asking for names—you’re asking for proof of process. A good answer walks through a situation similar to yours (e.g., pension choices, business sale, cottage succession) and shows the steps taken, decisions made, and results achieved. 

How to use this checklist 

Bring these questions to your first meeting. Circle the ones that matter most right now. Take notes. Afterward, ask yourself: Did I feel heard? Did I get plain-English answers? Do I know what happens next and when? 

What a strong “yes” feels like

• You understand how the planner is qualified, paid, and what resources they have access to.
• You can picture the next 12 months of service.
• Your goals—not markets—are the yardstick.
• Your tax, legal, and investment pieces connect.
• You leave with less noise, more clarity, and a simple next step.
• You trust the fit at a gut level. Their communication style clicks with yours, you feel listened to and respected, and your gut says you’d be comfortable calling them when something big (or small) happens. 

Choosing a financial planner is a big decision, but it shouldn’t feel mysterious. If you’d like, bring this list to our first conversation in Haliburton or Kawartha Lakes. I’ll answer each question directly—and if my answers don’t fit what you need, you’ll still leave with a tool to help you find the right person for you. 

Adam McInroy leads McInroy & Associates Private Wealth Management, helping families in the Kawarthas turn financial complexity into calm with clear, purpose-driven plans and a steady, down-to-earth approach.

Email: adam.mcinroy@igpwm.ca 
Phone: (705) 748-1950

^{This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Darcy Larouche is solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an IG Wealth Management Advisor. Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Canada Life Assurance Company.}