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As managing finances becomes increasingly complex, with more tax codes and new investment vehicles like cryptocurrency, it becomes more and more necessary for so many people to turn to financial advisers.
It’s not unusual to need a hand with money management. As managing finances becomes increasingly complex, with more tax codes and new investment vehicles like cryptocurrency, it becomes more and more necessary for so many people to turn to financial advisers. Being able to rely on a professional can help you avoid costly mistakes and instead focus on what matters most to you. And despite common misconceptions, financial advisers aren’t just for wealthy people either. If you’re interested in working with a financial adviser but aren’t sure how to begin your search, read on to get a better understanding.
Know What You Need
Before you begin speaking with some options, you need to figure out what it is that you actually need. You may have some general sense that your finances could be in a better place and that’s not a bad place to begin. However, you have to narrow down what your priorities might be: are you looking for new, exciting investment opportunities, or are you trying to reorganize your finances to plan for retirement? Depending on your goals and where you are in life, certain kinds of financial advisers may be more or less appropriate for you.
Narrow Services Down
To expand on that, here are some common ways an adviser can help you:
- Tax services: every tax season requires you organizational skills and knowledge of tax laws. By turning to a professional, they can take care of a lot of the guesswork that can go into filing your taxes.
- Debt management: if you have outstanding debts, want to consolidate debt, or need help figuring out where to begin, you can likely benefit from a financial adviser.
- Investing: for anyone who has capital they want to multiply, it’s key that you find someone with a background in investments so you can make smart decisions about where to put your money.
These are some of the most common ways a financial adviser can help you, but there is so much more they can offer, including retirement planning, monthly budgeting, or saving for college.
Determine Your Budget
How much are you able to pay your financial adviser? Commission-only advisers may be a good option but they take a portion of your investments, so while they may seem free upfront, they can be quite costly. On the other hand, fee-based advisers can be a good option if you know you need a wide range of help.
Do Your Research
Do your homework. Start by asking anyone you know if they have any recommendations and compare those recommendations against online reviews. Consider credentials, backgrounds, and payment structures when thinking about what financial adviser is right for you.
Trust the Professionals at the Harding Group
Unlike other accounting firms, The Harding Group, located in Annapolis, MD, will never charge you for consultations and strive for open communication with our clients.
Are you interested in business advising, tax preparation, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll services, training + support for QuickBooks, or retirement planning? We have the necessary expertise and years of proven results to help.
We gladly serve clients in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Severna Park, and Columbia. If you are ready to take the stress out of tax time, contact us online or give us a call at (410) 573-9991 for a free consultation. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more tax tips.