10/15/2026
Looking for the best financial advisor in Oshawa?
Here are a few things I would suggest advisors do to claim that top spot:
Specialize in a few key areas of financial planning, such as retirement planning and helping clients navigate major life transitions. No one can master everything, and you don’t want your advisor jumping between drastically different topics all day long.�
Have many years of experience but not be nearing retirement. You want expertise, but you also want to build a long-term relationship with the person guiding your financial future.�
Be hyper-transparent about their fees and how they get paid. Ideally, this conversation happens in the first meeting, so you understand exactly where their interests lie.�
Have a team behind them. No advisor can provide a premium experience entirely on their own. You don’t want your advisor running critical tax projections one minute and being interrupted by administrative tasks the next.�
Listen WAY more than they talk, especially during the first meeting. If recommendations are being made before your advisor understands what’s important to you and what you’re working toward, that’s a major red flag.�
Use advanced financial planning software. Advice on something as simple as choosing between a TFSA and RRSP often can’t be based on napkin math anymore. Between inflation, longevity, investment returns, tax rates, and CPP/OAS timing, today’s financial world is too complex for rough estimates.�
Do full financial planning. If your advisor is only providing portfolio recommendations and not discussing taxes, estate planning, borrowing, retirement, insurance, or the needs of your family, you’re not getting the full value of professional advice.�
Have a limited number of clients they serve. I recently spoke to someone working at a major bank who was responsible for more than 600 clients. How can anyone provide truly personalized advice when they’re trying to serve hundreds of families?�
Meet with you regularly. Annual reviews should be the bare minimum, and semi-annual meetings are even better. It’s hard to properly review all the key areas of your financial life in just one meeting a year.�
Be available when you need them. If you have questions or concerns, it shouldn’t take a week to hear back from your advisor. I’ve committed to my clients that they’ll always hear back from me by the next business day.�
Those are the qualities that stand out most to me after 11 years in the industry. What would you add to this list? Leave a comment below if there’s something you think I’ve missed. And if you’d like a second opinion on your current financial plan or advisor relationship, feel free to book a meeting. I’d be happy to help you determine whether you’re getting the advice and service you deserve.
PS. Try searching for the best advisor in Oshawa and see who comes up 😉
