Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. The right relationship can help you reduce lifetime taxes, invest with discipline, and move confidently toward retirement. The wrong fit can lead to unnecessary fees, avoidable tax bills, and strategies that don’t reflect your values or long-term goals.
For families in Pittsburgh and Beaver County, the decision carries additional complexity. Many households are balancing W-2 income, small business ownership, pensions, stock compensation, and evolving retirement timelines. Add in shifting tax laws and Social Security rules, and it becomes clear: financial planning isn’t just about investments. It’s about coordination.
If you’ve been searching for a “financial advisor Pittsburgh” or “financial planner near me,” here are seven essential questions to help you evaluate whether an advisor is truly aligned with your best interests.
1. Are You a Fiduciary?
This is the most important question you can ask.
A fiduciary is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. That means recommendations must prioritize your goals—not the advisor’s compensation, quotas, or product incentives.
Not all financial professionals operate under a fiduciary standard. Some operate under a “suitability” standard, meaning the recommendation only needs to be suitable—not necessarily the best or most cost-effective option available.
Why does this matter? Because conflicts of interest can quietly erode long-term outcomes.
At Three Cord True Wealth Management, we operate as an SEC-registered investment adviser under a fiduciary standard. That commitment shapes every recommendation within our comprehensive wealth management approach. It also aligns with the ethical standards required of the CFP® designation.
When interviewing an advisor, ask for a clear “yes” or “no.” Then ask if they will put that fiduciary commitment in writing.
2. How Are You Compensated?
Understanding how an advisor is paid helps you understand potential conflicts of interest.
There are three primary compensation models:
Fee-Only
The advisor is compensated solely by client fees—typically a percentage of assets under management, a flat planning fee, or an hourly fee. They do not earn commissions from product sales.
Commission-Based
The advisor earns commissions by selling financial products such as mutual funds or insurance policies.
Fee-Based (Hybrid)
The advisor charges advisory fees but may also receive commissions from certain products.
None of these structures automatically determines quality. However, transparency is critical. You deserve a clear breakdown of:
- Advisory fees
- Underlying investment expenses
- Custodial or platform costs
- Any commissions or referral arrangements
At our firm, investment management is delivered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC, and we provide transparent disclosure regarding compensation and advisory fees.
The key is simple: you should always understand how your advisor gets paid—and how that might influence recommendations.
3. What Credentials Do You Hold?
Financial advice is not a one-size-fits-all service. Credentials matter because they reflect training, education, ethical standards, and ongoing professional requirements.
Common credentials include:
CFP® (Certified Financial Planner™)
Requires comprehensive education in financial planning, passing a rigorous exam, ongoing continuing education, and adherence to a fiduciary standard.
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
Focuses on taxation, accounting, and financial reporting—critical in tax-sensitive planning decisions.
EA (Enrolled Agent)
Federally authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the IRS.
At Three Cord, our team integrates these disciplines. As a CPA and CFP®, I bring tax and financial planning expertise together. Our in-house tax team, led by Betsy Flinner, a Client Solutions Specialist, strengthens our ability to coordinate tax preparation and year-round tax strategy. Her EA credential allows representation before the IRS in audits, collections, and appeals.
When interviewing advisors, ask:
- What credentials do you personally hold?
- What continuing education is required?
- Who on your team supports client planning?
Designations alone don’t guarantee fit—but they do signal commitment to professionalism and standards.
4. Do You Coordinate With My Tax Professional?
This question often reveals whether you’re receiving siloed advice—or integrated planning.
Investment decisions create tax consequences.
Tax decisions influence retirement income.
Business sales impact estate planning.
If your financial advisor and tax preparer never speak, opportunities are missed.
At Three Cord, we integrate tax planning and wealth management under one roof. Through our affiliated tax practice, we provide both tax preparation and forward-looking tax strategy—so investment decisions and tax strategy work together rather than against each other.
Examples of coordinated planning include:
- Evaluating Roth conversions during lower-income years
- Timing capital gains with a broader tax strategy
- Tax-loss harvesting within portfolio management
- Coordinating retirement income with Social Security taxation
Whether your advisor works with your outside CPA or offers in-house coordination, the goal is alignment.
Your money doesn’t exist in silos. Your advisors shouldn’t either.
5. What Is Your Investment Philosophy?
Every advisor has an investment philosophy—even if they struggle to articulate it.
Ask them:
- How do you approach risk management?
- Do you favor active or passive strategies?
- How do you determine asset allocation?
- What happens during market volatility?
A disciplined philosophy matters more than short-term predictions.
At our firm, portfolio construction aligns with each client’s risk tolerance, goals, and tax situation. Through professional investment management, we focus on diversification, tax efficiency, and long-term discipline—not market timing.
For Pittsburgh families nearing retirement, risk management often becomes more important than aggressive growth. For younger professionals, systematic accumulation and tax efficiency may be the priority.
The right investment philosophy is one you understand and can stick with during both strong and volatile markets.
6. How Often Will We Meet and Communicate?
Financial planning is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing relationship.
Before hiring an advisor, clarify expectations:
- How often will we meet?
- Are reviews quarterly, semi-annual, or annual?
- Who will be my primary contact?
- How quickly do you respond to emails or calls?
Some clients prefer structured annual reviews. Others appreciate proactive outreach when tax laws change or markets shift.
Our True Wealth Blueprint™ process emphasizes ongoing coordination and periodic review. Life events—career transitions, retirement, business sales, inheritance—require plan adjustments. A proactive communication structure helps ensure your strategy evolves with your life.
Consistency builds trust. Clarity builds confidence.
7. What Is Your Minimum Account Size?
Many advisory firms have minimum asset requirements. These thresholds help determine whether a firm’s service model aligns with your financial situation.
Minimums can vary widely:
- Some firms require $1 million or more.
- Others work with emerging investors at lower levels.
- Some charge minimum annual planning fees regardless of assets.
At Three Cord, our Guided Wealth Portfolio program begins at $5,000, while comprehensive wealth planning relationships typically serve families with $250,000 or more in investable assets. Tax preparation services are available regardless of asset level.
The right question isn’t simply “What’s the minimum?”
It’s “Does this firm’s service model match my needs and stage of life?”
Transparency up front prevents frustration later.
Bringing It All Together
Choosing a financial advisor in Pittsburgh isn’t about finding the biggest firm or the flashiest marketing. It’s about finding alignment—values, philosophy, communication style, and technical expertise.
The seven questions above help clarify:
- Whether the advisor is legally obligated to act in your best interest
- How they are compensated
- What qualifications support their advice
- Whether tax and investment strategies are coordinated
- How they manage risk and portfolios
- What level of service and communication can you expect
- Whether your financial profile aligns with their practice
In Western Pennsylvania, many families value long-term relationships, personal accessibility, and thoughtful strategy over sales-driven interactions. That’s the foundation we’ve built our firm on—integrating tax strategy and wealth management so your entire financial picture works together.
If you’re evaluating advisors—or simply wondering whether your current structure is fully aligned—we invite you to schedule a “See if We’re a Fit” call.
A brief conversation can help you determine whether coordinated tax and wealth planning makes sense for your situation.
To schedule your consultation, visit 3ctruewealth.com or call (724) 683-3450.
Important Disclosures:
Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.
LPL Financial does not provide legal advice or tax advice or services.
Traditional IRA account owners have considerations to make before performing a Roth IRA conversion.
These primarily include income tax consequences on the converted amount in the year of conversion, withdrawal limitations from a Roth IRA, and income limitations for future contributions to a Roth IRA.
In addition, if you are required to take a required minimum distribution (RMD) in the year you convert, you must do so before converting to a Roth IRA.
Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss.
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Three Cord True Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.
