10 Things That Separate a Great Financial Advisor from a Merely Good One

By Bargeld Financial | Investment Advisory Firm in Media, PA

Introduction

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your future. But “not all advisors are created equal.” While many professionals can offer investment suggestions or retirement tips, far fewer can deliver advice that truly transforms lives. At Bargeld Financial, located in the heart of Media, PA, we believe in going beyond the basics to offer guidance that’s deeply personalized, values-aligned, and comprehensive.

In this article, we explore the 10 qualities that separate a great financial advisor from a merely good one. For each, we offer a practical question you may ask when evaluating your advisor—or before hiring a new one. The advisor’s responses to each of these questions can help you discern the advisor’s proximity to the values that make a great financial advisor.

1. Acts as a Fiduciary — Always

A great advisor doesn’t just act in your best interest because they have to. They do it because they believe in it. The fiduciary standard requires an advisor to put the client's interests ahead of their own, legally and ethically. But not all financial professionals are fiduciaries—some are held to a lower suitability standard, which only requires that recommendations be "suitable," not optimal.

At Bargeld Financial, discharging fiduciary duty is foundational to our work. It means full transparency. It means no hidden commissions or product incentives. And it means that when we recommend something, it’s because we truly believe it’s the best option for you. Above, it means maintaining a commitment to upholding duties related to the fiduciary standard, including:

i. Duty of Care

ii. Duty of Loyalty

iii. Duty of Good Faith

iv. Duty of Confidentiality

v. Duty of Prudence and

vi. Duty of Disclosure

Ask this:
*To see whether an advisor is a fiduciary, ask this question:

Are you legally and contractually obligated to act in my best interest at all times—and can you put that in writing?

2. Provides Values-Based Advice

With prudent investing, money is a tool… not a goal. A great financial advisor understands this, and helps you align your finances with what truly matters: your values. Whether your priority is family security, early retirement, giving back to your community, or traveling the world, your financial plan should reflect the things about which you most care.

Values-based advice goes beyond asset allocation and net worth. It involves deep conversations about your life vision and long-term purpose. At Bargeld Financial, we start every relationship by learning who you are, not just what you earn. This approach allows us to design plans that are not only effective, but also deeply meaningful.

Ask this:
*To gauge an advisor’s proximity to the providing values-based advice, ask this:

How do you incorporate my personal values and life priorities into your financial planning process?

3. Focuses on Goals, Not Products

Too many advisors lead with investment products—mutual funds, annuities, or insurance packages. Great advisors, however, take the opposite approach. They begin with your goals. What do you want to accomplish in five years? Ten years? What does a successful retirement look like? From there, they reverse-engineer the financial strategies that can get you to your aspired financial station.

This goal-centric approach to financial planning leads to better alignment between your resources and your ambitions. At Bargeld Financial, we never start with a product pitch. In fact, at Bargeld Financial, we sell only one thing: Piece of Mind. This fact allows us ample opportunity to help clients clarify their priorities and then develop plans built around those priorities.

Ask this:
*To gauge an advisor’s (degree of) focus on goals—as opposed to products—ask the question: Can you walk me through how you develop recommendations based on my goals rather than specific financial products?

4. Offers Truly Customized Advice

A great advisor treats each client like a unique individual, not just another account. This means that, to a great investment advisor, each client is an individual… not an account number. Cookie-cutter portfolios and generic planning templates might be sufficient for a good advisor, but a great advisor digs into the details to gain sufficient knowledge about the individual’s financial situation to make any planning and advisory exercise pertinent. . They understand your full financial picture, including your family dynamics, cash flow, liabilities, business interests, and long-term legacy goals.

At Bargeld Financial, customization is central to our process. We build each plan from the ground up. Whether you're a young professional just starting to invest or a retiree focused on preserving wealth, your plan will reflect your specific situation.

Ask this:
*To understand whether an advisor offers truly customized advice, ask this:

How do you customize your financial plans for each client, and can you give me an example?

5. Integrates Tax Strategies

Taxes affect nearly every aspect of your financial life—income, investments, retirement distributions, estate transfers, and more. In fact, of the $3.3 million average lifetime expenditure of an American, over 19% ($637,000) goes to fulfilling tax obligations (GoBankrate, 2024). Yet many financial advisors ignore tax planning, leaving clients with suboptimal results. A great advisor considers both pre-tax and after-tax returns, helping you keep more of what you earn.

From tax-loss harvesting and Roth conversions to charitable giving strategies and Social Security benefits planning, we weave tax-smart decisions into every financial plan we create. This allows you to more easily reach and bag “the low-hanging fruit,” as with getting ahead financially, it’s not just about what you make—it’s about what you keep.

Ask this:
*To find out whether, and how, an advisor integrates tax planning into investment advising and financial planning, ask the question:

How do you incorporate tax planning into your investment and retirement advice?

6. Educates Clients

Great financial advisors don’t just manage money—they educate. They believe clients make better decisions when clients understand the rationale behind each recommendation. Whether it’s through regular review meetings, personalized reports, or one-on-one conversations, education is part of the investment advisory service and process.

At Bargeld Financial, we take time to explain strategies, answer questions, and make sure you’re never in the dark. We want you to feel empowered, not confused. After all, it’s your money—you deserve to understand what’s happening with it.

Ask this:
*To ascertain an investment advisor’s commitment to helping educate clients, ask the question: How do you help clients become more financially informed over time?

7. Listens More Than They Talk

A good advisor might deliver a polished presentation. A great advisor, on the other hand, asks insightful questions—and then listens. Deeply. A great financial advisor seeks to understand your family history, career path, hopes, fears, and dreams, as such understanding becomes the foundation of great financial advice.

At Bargeld Financial, we believe that listening is an act of regard. We want to hear your story before we ever talk about numbers. And we make it a habit to revisit that story often, because your life evolves.

Ask/Do this:
*To gauge an investment advisor’s ability to listen—as opposed to just selling—do the following two things:

First, pay attention to how well the investment advisor representative listens , noting the representative’s tendency to rushing through your story… and into hawking product and,

Second, ask the following question:

How do you ensure you truly understand a client’s full financial picture before making recommendations?

8. Uses Evidence-Based Investing

Market timing, stock picking, and trend chasing may sound exciting, but they rarely deliver consistent results. Great advisors rely on proven, research-backed strategies. Evidence-based investing focuses on broad diversification, long-term growth, cost efficiency, and risk management.

At Bargeld Financial, we follow the principles of modern portfolio theory and behavioral finance. We build portfolios that are resilient, cost-effective, and tailored to your goals. No fads. No hype. Just a disciplined approach backed by decades of academic research.

Ask this:
*To better stand an investment advisor’s investment strategies, ask the question:

What investment philosophy do you follow, and what research or principles is it based on?

9. Offers Clarity During Uncertainty

Life is full of uncertainty. Markets dip. Jobs change. Health issues arise. During these moments, a great advisor becomes more than a planner—they become a steady guide. They help you stay calm, revisit your plan, and focus on what you can control.

We believe clarity builds confidence. That’s why we proactively communicate with clients during turbulent times. Whether it’s a market correction or a major life transition, you’ll never be left wondering what to do next.

Ask this:
*To gauge an advisor’s communication style, ask the question:

How do you support clients during periods of market volatility or personal financial stress?

10. Puts Relationships Before Revenue

Ultimately, great advisors are driven by purpose, not profit. They view each client relationship as a long-term partnership, not a short-term transaction.

At Bargeld Financial, our deliberate engagement means we keep our client at the center of everything we do, so that we can deliver superb service to each household we serve. At Bargeld Financial, you’ll never feel like a number. And we’ll never prioritize growth over building genuine relationships.

Ask this:
*To see whether an investment advisor prioritizes profit, ask the following question:

How do you balance your business growth with personalized client service—and how many clients do you serve personally?

Final Thoughts

In today’s world, good advice is common. Great investment advice is rare. At Bargeld Financial, we strive to be more than advisors. We aim to be partners, educators, and advocates for every client we serve. Whether you're just getting started or looking to elevate your current financial plan, we’re here to guide you with clarity and care.

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June 17, 2025 at 1:23 PM

Helping You Build Wealth with Purpose and Clarity