The Financial Planning Process

The Financial Planning Process

The following are the six steps in the financial planning process which your financial planner should go through with you:

Establishing and defining a professional relationship
The financial planner should clearly explain or document the services to be provided to you and define both his/her and your responsibilities. The planner should explain fully how he/she will be paid and by whom. You and the planner should agree on how long the professional relationship should last and on how decisions will be made.

Gathering data, including goals
The financial planner should ask for information about your financial situation. You and the planner should mutually define your personal and financial goals, understand your time frame for results and discuss, if relevant, how you feel about risk. The financial planner should gather all the necessary documents and information before giving you the advice you need.

Analysing and evaluating your financial status
The financial planner should analyse your information to assess your current situation and determine what you must do to meet your goals. Depending on what services you have asked for, this could include analysing your assets, liabilities and cash flow, current insurance coverage, investments or tax strategies

Developing and presenting financial planning recommendations and/or alternatives
The financial planner should offer financial planning recommendations that address your goals, based on the information you provide. The planner should go over the recommendations with you to help you understand them so that you can make informed decisions. The planner should also listen to your concerns and revise the recommendations as appropriate.

Implementing the financial planning recommendations
You and the planner should agree on how the recommendations will be carried out. The planner may carry out the recommendations or serve as your "coach," co-ordinating the whole process with you and other professionals such as attorneys or stockbrokers.

Monitoring the financial planning recommendations
You and the planner should agree on who will monitor your progress towards your goals. If the planner is in charge of the process, he/she should report to you periodically to review your situation and adjust the recommendations, if needed, as your life changes.

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