5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Advisor-Certain Answers Can Be Red Flags
Choosing the right financial advisor can be a challenge. Just like with any other professional, you will need to “vet” them to see if they have the proper expertise, you need and if they fit your core values. Most financial advisors are fiduciaries, who act only in the best interests of their clients. Unfortunately, just like with any other industry, there are those in the financial sector who do not always act in the best interest of their clients and will be dishonest in how they are paid by you. When choosing the right financial advisor, be sure to ask these 5 important questions and listen carefully to the answers from the advisor as they can be a red flag.
What is your definition of a financial advisor?
The definition of a financial advisor will differ from professional to professional. Financial advisors will cover a variety of services from investments to retirement planner and insurance to taxes. Sit with each financial advisor to learn about what they specifically offer and how they can help with your specific financial needs and goals. Their answer will let you know their intentions and if they will be the right fit for you.
How do you get paid?
This is one of the most important questions to ask a potential financial advisor. Some financial firms will have hidden fees or be paid on commission, while other firms will be paid by a flat fee or percentage of assets under their management. Listen carefully to how they are paid, a financial advisory firm that is paid by commissions may be less likely to focus on your goals and rather how much they will make buying or trading certain investments. A financial advisor who is up-front about their pricing and take flat fees or a percentage of assets will be more likely to make decisions that are beneficial for you over them.
Are the “fee-only” or “fee-based”?
Similar to the payment structure, learning about how a firm takes their fees. Fee-based financial firms are paid through commissions and can lead to the temptation for them to recommend certain products or investments in order to be paid more compared to them prioritizing stocks that will fit your needs. For firms that work on a fee-only structure, they are only paid for their time working on your portfolios, their strategies, and the managing of your money.
Asking both how the advisor is paid and what type of fee they take, will allow you to configure how much you will be paying your financial advisor per year and if that will fit into your current budget.
Wil you sign a fiduciary oath?
Asking if a financial advisor is a fiduciary is sometimes not enough to ensure you will be protected. Some firms will claim to be a fiduciary firm, however, when it comes time to work on your investments, they will pick and choose those that will earn them extra compensation. It is easy for some professionals to “tiptoe” around the term fiduciary or not be clear in their answers. If they are a fee-only financial advisor then there should be no issue with them being able to sign a fiduciary oath. If the advisor comes across as nervous about signing this oath or try to get around having to sign the oath, this can be a major flag that they will not be acting in your best interest.
Can I ask for references from current or former clients?
Today, it can be easier than ever to find out what type of reputation a business has with Google and social media reviews. However, that can sometimes not be enough and there are unethical businesses that will have fake reviews made or even pay for reviews. It is always in your best interest to ask each financial advisory firm for client references, whether they are current clients or former. If the financial advisor you are meeting with is hesitant to give you any client references, it could be a possible red flag.
If a firm has been honest and has done an excellent job with their clients, they should have no issue giving you some references to ensure they are going to do what they say they will. A firm that has not been acting in their clients' best interest or taking out hidden fees will be more likely to not want you speaking with current or former clients.
When choosing a financial advisor, it is important to ask questions and do your research. Asking these questions will help you choose an advisor that is ethical and honest, and who will best meet your needs. Do not be afraid to ask any of these questions, and an ethical financial advisor will have no problem answering or providing any references.
June 23, 2025 Sage Investment Advisers, LLC Named 2025 Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY — Sage Investment Advisers, LLC, a trusted and local fiduciary firm based in Wappingers Falls, is thrilled to announce they have been chosen as Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley for 2025 , by Hudson Valley Magazine. Sage Investment Advisers beat out many other local financial planners and advisory firms to win the title of Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley. The Best of the Hudson Valley is an annual competition from Hudson Valley Magazine, where locals vote for their most beloved local businesses in each category. “We are honored to be named Best Financial Planner in the Hudson Valley,” said Jerry Schuder, President of Sage Investment Advisers. “This recognition validates the daily efforts of our team, working tirelessly to guide clients in retirement planning, investment management, and wealth preservation with integrity and care.” Sage Investment Advisers serves clients throughout the Hudson Valley region, including Wappingers Falls, Poughkeepsie, and beyond, offering tailored financial strategies, retirement planning, Social Security optimization, and real estate advisory services. Sage is dedicated to providing their clients with custom financial and retirement strategies to help them plan their retirement and legacy. This latest achievement adds to their list of other prestigious awards which include: 2024 Readers’ Choice: Best Financial Advisor – Hudson Valley , awarded by Daily Voice facebook.com+15dailyvoice.com+15sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com+15 Multiple Five‑Star Wealth Manager Awards (2012–2016, 2022–2025), presented by Five Star Professional fivestarprofessional.com+2fivestarprofessional.com+2fivestarprofessional.com+2 Recognized growth as the Hudson Valley’s #1 fastest-growing wealth management firm in prior industry rankings m.facebook.com+10sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com+10fivestarprofessional.com+10 Best Financial Advisor Firm (2024-2025)-Hudson Valley, awarded by USA Today “Being part of this Hudson Valley community means everything to us,” added Vice President, Joe Guarneri. “This award reflects our clients’ confidence and the strength of our fiduciary-driven practice.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Sage Investment Advisers, LLC Located at 1829 South Road, Wappingers Falls, NY , Sage Investment Advisers is a local fiduciary wealth management and financial planning firm. The team combines financial and investment knowledge with decades of experience to offer custom investment strategies, retirement roadmaps, Social Security optimization, college planning, and real estate advisory services—all designed to empower clients to pursue financial peace and legacy building. Contact Jerry Schuder President, Sage Investment Advisers, LLC (845) 240‑1551 info@sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com Website: sageinvestmentadvisersllc.com Sage Investment Advisers, LLC , serving as Hudson Valley’s premier fiduciary firm, is honored to be named Best Financial Planner for 2025 , and remains dedicated to helping clients build their wealth, retirements, and legacies.
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