How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor for You in Columbus, OH: A Local Professional's Guide

By Cheryl Evans, ChFC®, CLU®, CASL®, LUTCF®

Imagine this: you've spent the last 20 years building your career in Columbus — maybe as a professor at Ohio State University, as a successful entrepreneur in the Short North, or as an IT specialist in one of the many tech companies in Central Ohio. You've been diligent, saved consistently, and now you're starting to ask a question more professionals in their 40s and 50s are asking:

"Do I actually have a plan — or just a collection of accounts?"

Columbus is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest. It has a thriving small business community; Intel's semiconductor expansion is bringing thousands of high-paying jobs to Central Ohio; Ohio State University's employment base continues to grow. More Columbus residents than ever find themselves holding meaningful assets — and facing genuinely complex financial decisions.

Whether you're a pre-retiree navigating your 401K or pension, a professional with investment accounts scattered across multiple platforms, or a business owner planning an exit strategy, finding the right financial advisor for you in Columbus, OH can be one of the most consequential decisions you make for your financial future. This guide will help you do exactly that.

What Does a Financial Advisor Actually Do?

The term "financial advisor" gets used loosely — and that ambiguity can make it difficult to know what you're actually looking for. At its core, a comprehensive financial advisor helps you coordinate and optimize across four major areas of your financial life:

• Investment Management — Building and managing a portfolio aligned with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Learn more about Centric's investment strategies.
• Insurance Strategies — Protecting your income, health, and legacy with suitable coverage, including life insurance,long-term care, and disability protection.
• Tax Strategy — Reducing your tax burden through efficient account selection, Roth conversions, and distribution planning in retirement. Or you may also consider Qualified Charitable Distributions for RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) planning.
• Estate Preservation Planning — Helping to ensure your assets pass efficiently to the people and causes you care about, with sound legal structures in place.

At Centric Financial Group, we utilize an integrated approach — combining insurance experience with investment advisory services under one roof. This means you're not bouncing between disconnected professionals. Your investment plan, insurance coverage, and income strategy are designed to work together from day one.

Types of Financial Advisors Available in Columbus

Not all financial advisors are structured or compensated the same way — and those differences directly affect the advice you receive. Before your first meeting, it's important to understand the landscape.

Fee-Only vs. Fee-Based vs. Commission-Based

• Fee-Only Advisors — Charge a flat fee, hourly rate, or percentage of assets under management. They earn no commissions from product sales.
• Fee-Based Advisors — Charge a combination of fees and may also earn commissions on certain insurance or investment products. This compensation model offers flexibility to serve a broader range of client needs.
• Commission-Based Advisors — Only earn commissions from the financial products they recommend. For some product the costs are built into the policy design and the agent is paid a commission.

Centric Financial Group offers both fee-based investment advisory services and commission-based insurance products — so we can meet you wherever you are financially, whether you need ongoing portfolio management, a one-time retirement income review, or a fully integrated insurance and investment strategy.

6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Financial Advisor in Columbus

Think of your first advisor meeting as an interview — because that's exactly what it is. Here are the seven questions that separate the right advisor from the rest:

What are your credentials and how long have you been practicing?

Look for designations likeCERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, CLU® (Chartered Life Underwriter), ChFC® (Chartered Financial Consultant), or ChSNC® (Chartered Special Needs Consultant). These require rigorous coursework, comprehensive exams, and ongoing continuing education. In addition, years of hands-on experience — especially with clients in situations similar to yours — matter just as much as the letters after an advisor's name.

How are you compensated?

There is no universally "right" compensation model — but there is a right answer for your situation. Understanding whether your advisor earns fees, commissions, or both helps you evaluate any potential conflicts of interest and decide whether their incentives align with yours.

What client types do you focus on?

Look for an advisor with direct experience in your specific situation — whether that's 401K plans, business succession, special needs financial planning, or retirement income distribution strategies. An experienced advisor adds far more value than a generalist in complex situations.

How familiar are you with the Columbus market?

Local knowledge matters more than most people realize. A Columbus-based advisor understands Ohio's specific income tax structure, and the economic trends shaping Central Ohio's job market and real estate landscape.

How often will we communicate, and in what format?

Communication style is one of the most common friction points between advisors and clients. Ask how frequently you'll receive updates, whether they proactively reach out during market volatility, and whether they prefer email, phone, video calls, or face-to-face meetings. Centric's Columbus team is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Can I verify your regulatory standing?

Any reputable advisor will welcome this question. Use FINRA BrokerCheck to verify a broker's credentials, registration, and disciplinary history free of charge. For investment advisors, the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database provides similar verification. This step takes five minutes and is one of the most important parts of your due diligence.

Why Local Matters: The Columbus Advantage

There's a meaningful difference between working with a national call center that happens to manage your assets and sitting across from an advisor who lives and works in the same community you do. Here is what local experience actually means for your financial plan:

• Columbus Real Estate Market Implications — Home values in neighborhoods like Bexley, Dublin, New Albany, and Upper Arlington have appreciated significantly over the past decade. Many Columbus homeowners are sitting on substantial equity. Your financial plan should account for how that equity fits into your overall wealth picture — from tax-efficient strategies to legacy planning.
• Proximity for In-Person Meetings — Some financial planning conversations are simply better in person. Centric Financial Group is located at 4016 Townsfair Way, Suite 202, Columbus, OH 43219 — centrally located and accessible for clients throughout the Columbus metro area.

Ready to Find the Right Financial Advisor for You in Columbus?

Choosing a financial advisor is one of the most important financial decisions you will make — and you deserve to make it with confidence. At Centric Financial Group, we believe in transparent conversations, integrated planning, and relationships built to last decades.

Whether you're a Columbus professional seeking your first financial advisor, a pre-retiree establishing a retirement income plan, or a business owner with complex planning needs, our team of experienced advisors is here to help.

Book a free consultation today — call us at (614) 824-6100 or schedule online. Our Columbus office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

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Companies are mentioned for informational purposes only. References should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of securities or commodities. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Entities referenced are not affiliates of the companies of OneAmerica Financial unless otherwise noted.

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