How Can I Find a New Financial Advisor?
Searching for a new financial advisor can feel overwhelming.
You type the question into Google and Bing and see millions of results - FinanceHQ, Dave Ramsey, Edelman Financial Engines, AdvisorFinder, Edward Jones, and dozens of “get matched” platforms promising to connect you instantly with the perfect fiduciary.
Reach out to Select Advisors to be your partner in the search for a new advisor (financial, legal, tax or…all of the above)
The truth is, finding an advisor isn’t hard. It is one of the easiest thing in the digital world.
Finding the right one - someone truly aligned with your goals, has ideas and strategies beyond “that’s outside our wheelhouse”, and is not a sales machine - is.
At Select Advisors Institute, we work as your fractional family office and concierge advisory partner.
Our team helps families identify, vet, and coordinate with the right financial professionals - whether that means finding a new wealth manager, strengthening your relationship with an existing one or complimenting the parts of the equation they simply can’t do (ahmmm, how can I manage all my real estate properties around the world, how can get a dual residency in various countries, etc).
The Wealth Management Landscape Today
Most of what you’ll find online are lead-generation platforms. They match you to firms that pay to be listed or featured. There’s nothing wrong with that—it just means the results are limited to whoever’s in their network.
Large national firms like Edelman Financial Engines and Edward Jones focus on scale: accessible, standardized advice, usually best for investors under $2M.
Other platforms with mortgage calculators and downloadable “white papers” are looking to give your name to a list of firms who will call you left and right until they get a meeting with you.
But ultra high net worth (UHNW) families and complex clients often need something more tailored, someone to help evaluate the advisor before the first meeting, review fee structures, and coordinate how that advisor fits within the rest of your ecosystem.
That’s where Select Advisors Institute steps in.
Step 1: Define What You Actually Need
Before searching, clarify what you want your next advisor to do.
Are you seeking:
Holistic wealth planning and coordination?
Portfolio management with a tax overlay?
Guidance for a business sale, liquidity event, or inheritance?
A better cultural fit—someone who understands your stage of life or values?
Knowing this helps you choose between a generalist planner, an RIA (Registered Investment Adviser), or a boutique wealth management firm that works specifically with UHNW clients.
Step 2: Look Beyond Google Ads
Most “find an advisor” sites rank by advertising budget. If you want a broader view, check:
The CFP Board for Certified Financial Planner listings
NAPFA for fee-only fiduciary advisors
FINRA BrokerCheck to review disciplinary history
Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) for SEC registration details
Still, those databases don’t tell you how an advisor works with real families. That’s the gap we fill—by filtering through credentials, business models, and cultural fit.
Step 3: Evaluate the Fit
Once you have names, meet two or three potential advisors. Ask direct questions like:
How do you make money? (Fee-only, hourly, commission, or hybrid?)
Who custodies my assets?
What’s your average client profile and net worth range?
How do you coordinate with outside professionals (CPA, attorney, etc.)?
What happens if you retire or leave the firm?
THEN…cross-reference everything they say with their government filing here: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/
Step 4: Review Structure and Accountability
Most UHNW families work with multiple professionals—lawyers, accountants, and investment teams. Without coordination, even good advisors can work at cross-purposes.
That’s why Select Advisors Institute often serves as the fractional family office or “chief of staff” role—vetting candidates, aligning expectations, and staying involved to ensure the relationship actually performs.
We don’t take custody of assets or sell products. We make sure the professionals you hire are the right fit and stay accountable.
Step 5: Trust the Process, Not the Pitch
Good advisors don’t promise returns or quick wins. They focus on structure, clarity, and long-term results. The right fit feels calm, transparent, and consistent—not salesy.
If you’re interviewing firms and feel rushed, confused about fees, or pressured to move assets immediately, that’s your signal to slow down.
When to Consider Switching
You may not need a “new” advisor so much as a new framework.
It might be time to re-evaluate your advisor if:
You’re managing communication across too many firms.
You never receive clear, consolidated reporting.
You’re not sure what you’re paying—or why.
Your goals or family structure have changed, and your advisor hasn’t adapted.
You feel like you’re doing more follow-up than your advisory team.
If any of these sound familiar, Select Advisors Institute can act as your fractional family office to help assess, interview, and integrate the right advisor for your situation.
The Bottom Line
Finding a new financial advisor isn’t just about credentials—it’s about chemistry, structure, and follow-through. The right match should simplify your life, not complicate it.
At Select Advisors Institute, we help families and entrepreneurs identify the right advisory partners, clarify roles, and ensure every professional around them is coordinated and aligned.
Whether you’re looking for a new advisor or simply want to get more value from your existing one, we can help you build the structure around your wealth so that every piece—financial, legal, and personal—moves in sync.
Contact us to start your search with confidence.
Rankings vary depending on criteria such as assets under management (AUM), client services, growth, and qualitative metrics. Discover where to start, who can help and what questions to ask in interviews.