We are often surprised to hear potential clients say they can get independent financial advice from a friend or a self-taught financial commentator.

But no matter how well-meaning their intentions are, unless they are a qualified adviser, you cannot be sure you are getting the best advice.

So we will say it now: not everyone is qualified to provide financial advice.

To put it another way, you would not ask a friend to perform open-heart surgery on you. So why is it, when it comes to your finances, you avoid professional advice and go with what your friends say?

While you may have a good idea of what will and won’t work well, only a professional has the knowledge to help you maximise your finances.

Here are some of the misconceptions people have about the role of a financial adviser.

Financial advisers don’t know what my investment return will be?

It is a fact. We don’t know what your future return will be. Many investors who seek financial advice arrive at our doorstep with a target return in mind for their investment.

However, these objectives are influenced by past experiences, historical fund performance or a random number that will fulfil personal expectations. After all, who doesn’t want higher returns?

We can refer to this return expectation as a desired return – a return target based on a want more than a need.

Our role as financial advisers is to estimate the return you require to accomplish your objectives, taking into account your goals, time horizon, current asset base and risk tolerance, among other factors.

Most of the time we find that the return required to achieve your objectives is meaning-fully less than your desired return. Understanding the difference between required and desired returns can serve a very important function in the financial planning process.

I only need an insurance policy from a financial adviser

Your financial life is bigger than an insurance policy. Our first job is to get to know you.

Financial planning is a holistic process that integrates your life’s goals with financial solutions in order to create a financial plan.

Many clients want to know: How can I save for my children’s education? Do I have enough money saved for retirement? What will happen to my children when I’m gone?

The goal of every financial adviser is to be the “chief financial officer” of their client’s financial life.

This work extends to investment, estate, retirement and risk planning.

Financial advisers don’t know how to pick shares

It is a fact. Financial advisers are not all great portfolio designers or great stock pickers or great investment strategists.

This misconception is based on the assumption that a financial adviser, trader and investment manager are the same people. They are not.

Financial advisers are in the business of behaviour modification and partner with other specialists to make your financial plan a reality.

To use an example from medicine, if your doctor believes you need specialist assessment, they will refer you to hospital to be seen by an appropriate specialist. Most financial advisers outsource investment management and share trading activities.

You only need a financial adviser if you have a lot of money

You can benefit from working with a financial adviser because you have competing financial goals – not necessarily because you have a lot of money.

You may be thinking about buying a house, starting a family or travelling the world.

All of these goals are competing for a slice of your salary, so setting your priorities and adjusting your savings percentages with an adviser becomes a requirement. As life goes on, your needs will change and your financial plan needs to keep pace.

Financial advisers charge me fees for advice that I can get for free

It is probably safe to assume that people take financial advice from friends rather than a professional because of the costs of professional advice.

While your friend is unlikely to charge you, you could potentially be losing out on more than just the adviser’s fee.

To use another medical comparison, you can Google the symptoms of your illness but that doesn’t mean the medical consultation must be free when you finally go to (see) the doctor.

Advisers like any other professional need to be incentivised for their work. A qualified financial adviser is an individual whose job is to get the most out of your finances and the benefits are likely to outweigh the costs.

Financial advice makes a difference

You will need independent financial advice for many reasons: you need advice when buying shares, planning your retirement or deciding on medical scheme options.

There is widespread evidence of people failing to plan and save for retirement, failing to successfully participate in the stock market, and failing to shop around for the best financial products.

While not everyone may need financial advice, arguably those who seek any financial product do.