How to choose the right Financial Advisor: A simple three step checklist for retirement confidence

Let’s face it - choosing a financial advisor can feel overwhelming.

Where do you even start? Who can you trust? How do you know if someone’s genuinely looking out for your  best interests - or just trying to sell you something?

Thankfully, it’s not all guesswork.

There’s a simple, smart way to assess whether a financial advisor is the right fit for you, and it comes down to this Advisor Alignment Checklist:

Capability. Connection. Confidence.

Let’s break it down 

1. Capability – Do they have the qualifications and the know-how?

First things first: you want someone who actually knows what they’re doing.

In Australia, all financial advisers must be licensed or authorised under the Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensing regime, regulated by ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission). This ensures advisers meet strict education, ethical, and professional standards—and that they act in the best interests of their clients.

So how can you check if your adviser is legitimate?

Visit the ASIC Financial Advisers Registerhttps://moneysmart.gov.au/financial-advice/financial-advisers-register

There, you can:

• Search by the adviser’s name or the company they work for

• Confirm their AFS licence or authorised representative status

• Check what types of advice they’re licensed to give (e.g. super, retirement, investments)

• See their qualifications, experience, and any past disciplinary actions

This simple step helps ensure you're dealing with a properly authorised professional—and gives you the peace of mind you deserve.

This step is crucial—not just for peace of mind, but to make sure you’re protected by law.

Bottom line: Capability is about more than just passing a few exams. It’s about proven knowledge, legal compliance, and the professional backing to guide your financial future.

2. Connection – Do they “get” you?

Money is deeply personal. So it makes sense that your financial advisor should be someone who:

• Understands your lifestyle and values

• Speaks your language (without the jargon)

• Listens more than they talk

Can you communicate openly with them? Do you feel respected and heard? Do they actually care about your goals—or just want to sell you a product?

Also, ask about their remuneration model. Do their fees make sense to you? Are they transparent? And importantly - do they win when you win?

Connection means you feel like you’re on the same team—and rowing in the same direction.

3. Confidence – Do you trust them with your financial future?

This one might be the most important.

Confidence is built when:

• You know your advisor is capable (tick)

• You feel a strong, values-based connection with them (tick)

• They behave with integrity, not just in what they say, but in how they invest and advise (tick)

A truly great advisor won’t give you cookie-cutter answers. They’ll ask themselves:“If I were in your shoes, with your goals and circumstances, what would I do?”

And then they’ll guide you accordingly.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good referral. If someone you trust recommends an advisor, that speaks volumes.

 The Takeaway: 

Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision. You’re trusting someone with your hard-earned money, your retirement plans, and your future peace of mind.

So when in doubt, go back to the basics:

Capability – Are they qualified and authorised?

Connection – Do you feel understood and supported?

Confidence – Can you trust their advice - and their integrity?

When you can tick off all these checklist items, you’re well on your way to a relationship that can truly support your financial goals for years to come.

If you would like to have an obligation-free chat with me or Kinda to see if you feel like we are the right Financial Advisor for your retirement needs, please call 02 9634 6698.