---
title: What You Need to Tell a Financial Planner
description: The head of an investment advisory firm explains what information you should bring to a financial planner to get the best results.
authors:
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    url: https://money.com/author/wordsthatecho/
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      - Career Advice
      - Education
      - Housing
      - Insurance
      - Investing
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      - Loans
      - Retirement
    former_staff: true
published: '2016-05-24T14:10:39.000Z'
modified: '2016-05-24T14:10:39.000Z'
section: Personal Finance
tags:
  - 401(k)
  - Alexa von Tobel
  - bad habits
  - bad money habits
  - Budgeting
  - Careers
  - Children
  - conversations
  - financial advice
  - Financial adviser
  - financial planner
  - Money
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  - Planning
  - Retirement
  - Savings
  - video
word_count: 118
canonical: https://money.com/what-you-need-to-tell-a-financial-planner/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
---

> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 10.19.38 AM](https://img.money.com/2016/05/screen-shot-2016-05-23-at-10-19-38-am.png)

When you sit down to speak with a financial planner, there are a few things that you need to know and to bring with you, explains Alexa von Tobel, CEO of investment advisory firm [LearnVest](https://www.learnvest.com). It's important that you bring as much information with you when you speak to a financial planner. Planners can't help you if you keep them in the dark.

Bring your tax returns from last year, information about your financial accounts (including logins), and information about any employee benefits to which you are entitled.

And be honest. Financial planners have heard it all, so don't be embarrassed to admit to anything. The more your planner knows, the better he or she can help you.

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