11 MAR 2026

Six questions to ask when searching for a financial adviser

Selecting the right financial adviser is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an international investor. When your investments are held through a modern, adviser-led, open-architecture platform like Ardan International, the adviser you choose becomes central to how effectively you can build, manage and protect long-term wealth.

Below are six essential questions to ask before you choose a financial adviser:

1. Do you work with clients who use wealth platforms like Ardan?

Ardan International is a global wealth platform designed for international investors who want a consolidated, transparent, online view of their entire portfolio. It allows advisers to hold, monitor and trade a wide range of global assets efficiently on your behalf.

When speaking to an adviser, ask whether they routinely work with clients whose assets are held on platforms — and specifically, whether they use or have experience with Ardan. Advisers familiar with platform-based investing can:

• Optimise platform features such as multi-currency holdings, model portfolios and consolidated reporting
• Ensure your structure is aligned with global mobility or expatriate needs
• Provide advice suited to open-architecture investing

The right adviser should already understand how to leverage Ardan’s capabilities to support long-term strategic wealth planning.

2. How will our ongoing relationship and communication work on Ardan?

A strong adviser relationship requires regular and transparent communication. Ardan makes this easier by offering:

• Real-time online valuation and portfolio access for clients
• Consolidated reporting across all assets held on the platform
• Model Portfolio Manager tools that allow consistent portfolio updates across multiple clients

Ask your adviser:

• How often they will meet with you
• How they monitor and review your portfolio using Ardan’s technology
• How they plan to involve you in ongoing adjustments or rebalancing
• Whether they will place trades for you directly on Ardan and how they keep you informed

Even if you prefer a low-maintenance relationship, a minimum annual review should be standard.

3. What is your fee structure — and how does it sit alongside Ardan’s transparent charges?

Ardan is known for its transparent, fully disclosed charging structure, with:

• No entry fees
• No exit penalties
• No lock-in periods
• A simple annual platform/custody fee instead of complex layered charges

Ask your adviser to clarify:

• Their initial and ongoing fees
• What services are included
• How their fees integrate with Ardan’s platform costs
• Whether they receive any commissions (platforms like Ardan are not product-driven, so fee transparency should be high)

A good adviser will explain total costs clearly and show how they impact net returns.

4. How will you choose and manage investments using Ardan’s open architecture?

Ardan is a true open-architecture platform, meaning you and your adviser can select from:

• Access to more than 80,000 investment options worldwide
• Funds, ETFs, equities, structured notes and more
• Investments across 11 major currencies

Your adviser should clearly explain:

• Their investment philosophy
• How they select suitable funds or assets from this broad universe
• Whether they use Model Portfolios or Discretionary Fund Managers (DFMs) available through Ardan for efficiency and consistency
• How they tailor risk levels and diversification to your goals

Even if you don’t know all the technical details, you should understand why specific investments were chosen for your strategy.

5. What is your process for keeping my investments on track — and how does Ardan support this?

Ask your adviser how they will:

• Review your portfolio performance
• Monitor currency exposure
• Decide when to rebalance or switch investments
• Use Ardan’s reporting tools to ensure your portfolio stays aligned with long-term goals

Good advisers proactively use Ardan to reduce administrative friction and focus more on high-value decision-making.

6. Will I have easy online access to monitor my investments?

Ardan gives clients secure, convenient online access to view portfolios, valuations and documents at any time.

Ask your adviser to confirm that you will:

• Be shown how to navigate the platform
• Get support if you need help checking performance

A strong adviser encourages transparency and empowers you to stay informed — without overwhelming you with jargon.

Why adviser selection matters on the Ardan platform

Because Ardan is a modern, digital-first wealth platform, your adviser is central to unlocking the full benefits:

• True global investment access
• Multi-currency flexibility
• Transparent pricing
• Robust custody and segregation of assets

Choosing an adviser who understands how platforms like Ardan work helps ensure your wealth structure works for you - not against you.