A financial planner can be likened to a personal fitness trainer.  Their role is to support, guide and encourage you on your financial journey.

So what should you look for in a financial planner?

We've identified a number of attributes which we feel are important roles of a financial planner:

• Show a genuine interest in you and they spend the time listening and learning about you and your circumstances
• Help you to understand your true needs and goals
• Help you to set clear benchmarks to measure your progress
• Explain ideas, concepts and strategies clearly, confidently and simply
• Remain impartial so you can assess any evidence objectively and avoid mistakes and traps
• Encourage you to go beyond any limits and explore new horizons
• They take a proactive approach and provide regular ongoing advice that is transparent, honest and reliable
• Make themselves available when you need their support
• Keep you focused on your goals no matter what the circumstances

So with a good financial planner, it's not just about advice you receive, it's the way it's delivered.