Accenture executive compensation packages are complex, and the additional requirements for Managing Directors need to be planned out.

When you’re looking for a financial advisor, use the questions below to ensure they cover your situation, and find our answers here.

1. Are you a fiduciary?

The financial advising world can get confusing as sometimes salespeople masquerade as “advisors.”

If an advisor is a fiduciary, it means they’re legally obligated to act in your best interests. This designation excludes most salespeople.

2. How do you get paid?

As a follow up to the fiduciary question, you should also know how your advisor gets paid. Even fiduciaries can make a commission off of products they sell you.

Essentially, you need to know if your advisor is at all commission-based or if they’re fee-only. Fee-only can include a monthly planning fee, or a percentage fee of AUM (assets under management).

3. How much experience do you have tax planning my situation?

If you’re an Accenture executive, your tax situation is quite complicated. Managing Director total compensation includes programs with varying tax consequences.

While your base salary might be clear, your total income will vary enormously depending on RSU grants, equity awards, and selling stock for income.

Even if you have a CPA, they might not be doing the future planning you need. Tax-planning is key to ensure you’re not overpaying your taxes.

4. How much experience with planning early retirement or transition?

Let’s face it, life as a Managing Director at Accenture is very challenging, and you probably won’t be at the firm when you “retire” at age 65.

Most Accenture Execs will experience an early transition, and your financial advisor needs to know the strategies to ensure success with your early retirement or career transition.

5. How much knowledge of compensation programs like the VEIP?

Certain Accenture programs are unique to the company. While many other companies offer RSUs, Accenture’s combination of VEIP, equity grants, and MD grants is unique.

Your advisor should have a grasp of these programs to optimize your financial situation.

6. Are you aware of MD equity ownership rules?

Your advisor must understand Accenture’s equity ownership requirements.

Your financial plan should be built with this in mind because if it’s not, you could be in for some major surprises five years after your next promotion!

7. How to cover cash flow shortages with an equity selling strategy?

This question is essential for new Managing Directors who experience the cash flow crunch of first-year MDs. Due to the VEIP and high taxes, many new MDs can experience negative cash flow compared to their L6 years.

This cash flow shortage can last multiple years, so you need a strategy to manage through the cash flow crunch.