Know Your Financial Adviser

Choosing and working with a financial adviser

If you decide that investing on your own is not for you, your most important investment decision may be choosing the right financial adviser.

In Canada, anyone trading securities or in the business of advising clients on securities must be registered with the provincial or territorial securities regulator, unless an exemption applies.  A securities regulator will only register firms and individuals if they meet certain standards.

Use the National Registration Search to find out if an individual or firm is registered in your province or territory.

The category of registration tells you what products and services a firm or individual can offer.  Being registered, however, doesn't mean that firms and individuals have the same skills, provide the same services or charge the same fees.  Make sure you understand their qualifications, and the product or service they are selling you.

To Learn more about how to choose a financial adviser, read  Questions To Ask When Choosing a Financial Adviser (PDF). To Make the most of the relationship with your adviser, read  Working With a Financial Adviser (PDF).  Use the When Your Broker Calls, Take Notes! (PDF) notepad to record details of phone calls or meetings with your adviser and any recommendations they make.