Finding the Right Financial Advisor with Sharon Epps

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." — Proverbs 15:22

When it comes to managing money wisely, many of us could use some help, but how do you know you’ve found the right financial advisor? Today, we’ll explore a few key questions you should ask when hiring someone to help you with your financial decisions. Sharon Epps is here to help us navigate that process.

Sharon Epps is the President of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi’s parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.

How to Find a Financial Advisor Who Aligns With Your Faith

Finding a financial advisor can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right questions and a clear framework, you can confidently choose someone who aligns with your values, demonstrates technical competence, and offers a transparent process. Here are three things to consider when hiring a financial advisor who shares your faith and values.  

1. Values Alignment: Do They Share Your Worldview?

The most important starting point is finding an advisor whose faith informs their advice. There’s a big difference between an advisor who is a Christian and one who actively discusses financial decision-making through a biblical lens.

Key Questions to Ask:

• What role does faith play in your financial advice?
• How do you define financial success?

You’re listening for more than a respectful nod toward your faith. You want to know if they see money as a tool for stewardship, generosity, and Kingdom impact, not just a means of personal gain.

2. Competency: Are They Qualified to Serve You?

Once values are aligned, it is essential to ensure the advisor has the technical skills and experience necessary to guide your financial decisions.

Look for:

• Industry certifications (like CFP®, CPA, CKA®, etc.)
• Experience working with clients in your stage of life

Key Question to Ask:

• Can you tell me about clients you’ve served who are in a similar situation to mine?

Good advisors won’t name names, but they should be able to share stories of impact that demonstrate how they’ve helped people like you.

3. Process & Compensation: Are They Transparent and Clear?

A trustworthy advisor will be open about how they make money and how they work with clients.

Key Questions to Ask:

• Can you explain how you're compensated—fees, commissions, or both—for someone like me?
• What is your process for creating a financial plan?

They should be able to explain their step-by-step approach, timeline, and what you’ll need to provide—all in clear, understandable terms. You want someone with “the heart of a teacher.”

Ready to Find an Advisor?

If you’re beginning your search—or even considering reevaluating your current advisor—you can start at FaithFi.com. Click on “Find a Professional” to locate a Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®) near you. These advisors have been vetted for:

• Biblical worldview
• Integrity
• Technical excellence

You’ll also find a free downloadable PDF with suggested interview questions to help guide your search. You can rehire your advisor every year, and it’s wise stewardship to evaluate that relationship regularly.

When advisors undergo CKA® training, they begin to carry the weight of stewardship—not only for their own resources but also for how they guide clients to make decisions with eternal impact. That’s the kind of advisor worth seeking out.

On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

• My wife and I want to set up a will. We have a son we support and want to make sure he gets everything. I talked to a lawyer who said trusts aren’t necessary anymore and are expensive. I have about $300,000 in home equity, and I’m wondering about taxes and how he might handle the property.
• My dad recently passed away. My mom has been drawing on his Social Security because she didn’t have enough credits from working. What percentage of my Dad’s Social Security benefits will she receive as a survivor? What benefits will she get since he was a veteran with VA disability?
• Am I supposed to pay tithes on the income of my Social Security now that I’m retired?
• Now that my wife is retired and I’m almost retired, is maintaining a good credit score still important?

Resources Mentioned:

• Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner)
• Social Security Administration (SSA.gov) | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA.gov)
• Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)
• Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety
• Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool
• Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)
• FaithFi App

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. Visit our website at FaithFi.com where you can join the FaithFi Community and give as we expand our outreach.