7 (Plus One) Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Investment Advisor
By David Lee, Founder of Uplift Financial Advisory
Choosing an investment advisor is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make. The BC Securities Commission (BCSC) encourages Canadians to ask these key questions before working with an advisor.
At Uplift Financial Advisory, we believe in full transparency, holistic planning, and empowering you with clarity — so here’s how we answer them.
1. What investment business are you registered to conduct?
Uplift Financial Advisory is an independent financial advisory firm registered to provide investment and financial planning services.
We offer holistic wealth management, including investment strategies, retirement and estate planning, and mortgage and cash flow planning. Working independently means we’re not tied to any bank or investment company — so every recommendation is based purely on your best interests.
2. What professional qualifications do you have and what do they mean?
I have over 25 years of experience helping Canadians build and protect their wealth. Over that time, I’ve earned and maintained professional designations that reflect deep technical knowledge, fiduciary care, and ethical responsibility.
These qualifications mean you receive advice from someone trained to look at your full financial picture — not just one part of it. Many advisors focus on a single discipline like investing, mortgages, or insurance. Explaining your situation over and over to different specialists (and hoping they all agree) can be stressful and time-consuming.
At Uplift Financial, we connect all those moving parts for you — investments, cash flow, tax, and borrowing strategies — into one cohesive plan. We take away the stress and ensure you’re moving confidently in all directions toward your goals.
3. How long have you been advising clients on their investments?
For more than 25 years, I’ve guided private clients and business owners through market cycles, tax changes, and life transitions. Many of my clients have stayed with me for decades — because our partnership goes beyond portfolio performance.
Successful investing isn’t about reacting to headlines; it’s about staying diversified, disciplined, and focused on long-term results.
4. Can you tell me about how you’ve worked with clients like me to achieve their financial goals?
Every client’s situation is unique, but our approach is consistent: clarity, coordination, and confidence.
For example, I’ve helped pre-retirees transition from growth-focused portfolios to cash wedge and income strategies that protect capital while creating predictable income.
Another example: we’ve restructured financing for families to improve cash flow — not just by chasing a lower interest rate, but by creating liquidity for new investment opportunities and improving long-term financial flexibility.
It’s not just about numbers — it’s about securing your financial future in a way that aligns with your lifestyle and goals.
5. How are you compensated and what fees do you charge?
Transparency matters. Uplift Financial operates on a fee-based model, which means our compensation is aligned with your success — not with selling products.
We clearly outline all fees, so you always know what you’re paying and why. No hidden charges, no commissions influencing our recommendations. When you do well, we do well.
6. What is your planning process and how often will we review my plan? (Bonus Question)
Financial planning isn’t a “set it and forget it” process. Your life changes — your plan should too.
We start with a comprehensive discovery process to understand your goals, values, and current financial picture. Then we build a step-by-step roadmap to achieve those goals, prioritizing what matters most right now.
We meet regularly to review progress, rebalance portfolios, and adjust strategies — ensuring your plan evolves with you.
7. Are you a good match for me?
The best advisor-client relationships are built on trust and alignment. I work best with people who value proactive, transparent, and relationship-based advice.
If you’re looking for a partner who can connect all areas of your financial life — investments, borrowing, cash flow, and estate planning — into one cohesive strategy, then we’re likely a great match.
8. Why does this all matter?
Because wealth is more than numbers. It’s about feeling confident that your money is working for you — in every part of your financial life.
When you work with a holistic advisor, you gain more than an investment plan. You gain a coordinated strategy that integrates your assets, debts, taxes, and goals — so nothing is left to chance.
At Uplift Financial Advisory, my mission is to simplify your financial world, help you make smarter decisions, and remove the stress of managing it all. Together, we’ll prioritize what’s realistic and achievable — and build a plan to get you there.
Thinking About Your Next Financial Step?
Book a complimentary consultation today to discover if we’re the right fit to work together.