Last time we explored the technical definition and The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. definition of fully comprehensive financial services and I found both of those to be lacking.

I would describe fully comprehensive financial services in much broader terms.  If you ask Ideal Clients of a comprehensive financial advisor you’ll hear things like,

·         We’re so well taken care of financially the better question is ‘What doesn’t our advisor do for us?’

·         There are no areas of finance that are off limits for discussion, advice and guidance.

·         We get proactive recommendations in areas of finance that are so broad; I would not have considered them financial discussions before.

·         The toughest, bottom-line issues have been addressed by our advisor.  If an issue, financial or non-financial, stands between us and our goals, it is fair game for discussion.

·         What is my biggest concern?  My greatest concern is what will happen to us if our advisor dies.

A comprehensive financial advisor adds value by having a comprehensive process and access to expertise in all areas of finance.  Nothing falls through the cracks due to having Subject Matter Experts in all areas of finance and a thorough, checklist-driven, comprehensive financial services process ensures that issues are raised which, if applicable, will require much thought, planning and advice from your planning team of experts.

All of this leads to the second issue of why being a fully comprehensive financial advisor is the best and only “marketing” you’ll ever need which is our topic for next time.