Managing your investments is about making choices that reflect your goals, values, and lifestyle. For many New Brunswickers, working with a registered financial advisor is a practical way to stay informed, build a personalized plan, and make decisions that support long-term goals.
Financial advisors offer professional insight and experience that can help you navigate the investing landscape. Whether you're saving for retirement, planning for a major purchase, or building wealth over time, an advisor can help you stay focused, adapt to change, and make decisions that reflect your values and priorities.
Choosing the right advisor is an important step. It’s not just about credentials, it’s about finding someone who listens, communicates clearly, and puts your interests first.
A registered financial advisor helps you build and manage your investment plan. They’ll take time to understand your financial goals, recommend suitable products, and explain how each option works. As your needs evolve, they’ll help you adjust your plan and stay on track.
Advisors are also there to support you during market ups and downs. They can help you make informed decisions when things feel uncertain, and offer guidance when life changes like a new job, a major purchase, or retirement planning affect your financial picture.
You can expect your registered financial advisor to:
Make clear, personalized recommendations based on your goals.
Explain why a product is suitable and outline any risks involved.
Get your permission before making trades or withdrawing money.
Be available to answer your questions and provide ongoing support.
There are limits to what advisors can do. They can’t guarantee returns or promise risk-free investments. They also can’t act on vague or general instructions from you to buy or sell investments (unless you’ve set up a discretionary account) and they must avoid recommending products that don’t match your financial situation or comfort with risk.
A registered advisor can help you:
Set financial goals that match your timeline and comfort with risk.
Build a personalized investment plan and recommend suitable products.
Track your progress and adjust your plan when your life or the market changes.
Offer guidance during market ups and downs, helping you stay focused and avoid emotional decisions.
In New Brunswick, financial advisors must be registered with the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick (Commission) and follow Client Focused Reforms, which ensure your needs come first when they make recommendations.
Client Focused Reforms (CFRs) are designed to strengthen investor protection and raise the standard of care for registered financial advisors and firms. These reforms require registered professionals (called registrants) to put your interests first when recommending investment products or services. CFRs apply to all registered firms and individuals operating in New Brunswick and across Canada.
Under these rules, your advisor must:
Prioritize your needs and interests over their own or their firm’s.
Address any material conflicts of interest that could affect the advice they give.
Take reasonable steps to understand the products they recommend and how those products fit your financial situation.
Advisors are also required to collect detailed information through the “Know Your Client” (KYC) process. This helps them make recommendations that are better suited to your goals, risk tolerance, and financial circumstances.
When determining whether an investment is right for you, advisors must ensure that any product they suggest is not only appropriate, but also in your best interest. CFRs also require advisors to be clear about what they can offer. They must explain the limits of their services, avoid using misleading titles, and be transparent about their qualifications.
Choosing a registered financial advisor is a personal decision. It’s important to work with someone who listens, communicates clearly, and respects your values.
Start by asking yourself:
Do I feel comfortable discussing my finances and asking questions?
Does this advisor take time to understand what matters to me?
Do their values and approach align with how I want to invest?
Do they seem focused on helping me, not just selling products?
Before you commit, take time to:
Check their registration. Anyone offering investment advice or selling financial products in New Brunswick must be registered with the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick even if they don’t have a physical office in the province. Use the National Registration Search tool to check to see if an individual or firm is registered, or contact the Financial and Consumer Services Commision of New Brunswick directly.
Ask about their experience and approach. Advisors work in different ways. Some focus on long-term planning, while others specialize in specific products or strategies. Talk to them about how they make investment decisions and whether their approach fits your goals and comfort level.
Understand how they’re paid. Advisors may earn a salary, charge a flat fee, or receive commissions based on the products they sell. Some compensation models may create incentives to recommend certain investments over others. Ask how they’re paid and consider how that might affect the advice you receive.
Review their background. Look into their education, experience, and any disciplinary history. If an advisor has been disciplined by a securities regulator, that information will appear in your registration search. You can also follow up with the regulator to learn more or check if any restrictions apply to their registration.
Explore their investment philosophy. Advisors have different principles and guidelines that shape how they recommend investments. If you want your portfolio to reflect specific values, such as environmental, social, or governance (ESG) concerns, ask whether the advisor understands these priorities and has the knowledge to support your goals.
Advisors rely on accurate information to help you make smart choices. You’ll be asked to complete a “Know Your Client” (KYC) form, which includes questions about your income, savings, goals, and how you feel about risk.
Keep your advisor updated when things change. A new job, a major purchase, or a shift in your financial priorities can affect your plan. It’s also important to read any documents you receive, ask questions, and never sign anything you don’t fully understand.
Most advisors follow the rules and act in good faith. But if something doesn’t feel right, you have options.
You may have a valid complaint if:
An advisor makes trades or withdrawals without your permission.
You’re sold investments that don’t match your financial situation.
You’re pressured to make quick decisions or promised unrealistic returns.
You discover the advisor isn’t registered to sell the products they’re recommending.
To report a concern or file a complaint, Submit a Complaint to the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick.