Financial Advisor how-to

How to Run a First Client Discovery Meeting

Good plans start with listening.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Good plans start with listening. In short: ask; ask; gather, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Ask about goals.

  2. Ask about worries.

  3. Gather assets and debts.

  4. Assess risk tolerance.

  5. Explain how you work.

  6. Agree on next steps.

Safety reminders for financial advisors

  • Act in clients’ best interests
  • Protect client data
  • Follow FINRA and SEC rules
  • Watch for elder financial abuse

Fiduciary · CFP · Asset allocation · Diversification · Risk tolerance · Rebalancing: see the full financial advisor glossary.

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