You can do almost everything online now. Banking. Investing. Signing documents. Meeting over Zoom with someone three time zones away.

So it’s fair to ask: does it really matter where your financial planner is located?

For a lot of people, the answer is still yes. Not because you can’t get good advice remotely, but because financial planning is personal in a way that doesn’t always fit neatly into a video call. When you’re choosing a financial advisor who will understand your whole financial world—your income, your debt, your family responsibilities, your business, your retirement plans—it can be reassuring to know you can sit across the table from them.

The biggest reason: you can sit down face-to-face

A good financial planner doesn’t just talk about investments. They help you make decisions when there are trade-offs:

  • Do we pay down debt faster or invest more?
  • How much can we spend without stressing later?
  • What happens if one income changes?
  • Are we protecting the right people, the right way?
  • If you own a business, how do you pull money out tax-smartly and still reinvest?

Those conversations can feel vulnerable. They can also be messy—because real life is messy.

When the person “holding your whole financial world in their hands” is local, it’s easier to build trust. You can meet when something changes quickly. You can bring a spouse or adult child without turning it into a calendar puzzle. You can read the room, ask better questions, and leave feeling like you were actually heard.

And if something feels off? It’s easier to sense that in person too. That matters.

Local makes follow-through easier

Financial planning isn’t one meeting. It’s a series of decisions over time.

Being nearby can make the practical side smoother:

  • dropping in to sign something
  • bringing documents in without scanning everything
  • meeting during a busy season of life
  • getting quick clarity when you’re stuck

You’re also more likely to keep momentum when meetings are simple to book and attend. It’s a small thing, but it adds up—especially if you tend to put financial admin on the bottom of the list (most of us do).

How to find a financial planner near you

If you want someone local, your search can be simple. Start with the most obvious step: type your city into the search.

If you live in North Bay, Ontario, for example, search: “financial advisor North Bay” or “financial planner North Bay”.

Try a few variations:

  • “financial advisor + city”
  • “financial planner + city”
  • “retirement planning + city”
  • “business owner financial planner + city” (if that’s you)

What to look for once you have a list

Once you find a few names, don’t overthink it. Use a quick checklist:

  • Do they clearly list your city or region? (Not just “Ontario” or “Canada.”)
  • Do they explain who they work with? (Families, business owners, retirees, professionals.)
  • Do they talk about planning, not only investments?
  • Is it easy to book a call or meeting?

Then read reviews with a bit of caution. Reviews can be helpful, but they don’t always tell you what matters most: how someone communicates, whether they explain things clearly, and whether they’ll actually follow through.

How to interview them (quick and practical)

When you’re ready, book a short intro call with two or three planners. You’re listening for clarity and fit, not a sales pitch.

Ask:

  • How do you work with clients—what does the process look like?
  • What do you cover beyond investments?
  • How do you charge?
  • Who else do you collaborate with (accountants, lawyers)?
  • If I want in-person meetings, how often do clients typically come in?

And here’s a big one: Do you feel comfortable talking to them?

Because if you don’t, you won’t call when something changes—and that’s when you need a planner most.

The bottom line

There are great financial planners everywhere. But there’s something grounding about having yours nearby. If you value the ability to sit down in the same room as the person who holds your whole financial world in their hands, start local.

Search your city. Build a shortlist. Have a few conversations. And choose the person who makes the next step feel easier.