It may seem like a simple enough task to find a Catholic financial planner – they grow on trees, don’t they? The reality is that while many claim to belong to this category, not all of them are made alike. Finding a financial advisor is a very important task, and one that should be approached with the highest of diligence and prudence. Here are 5 questions you should ask when looking for a Catholic financial planner to make sure that you find one who is truly going to meet your needs.
Before we get into it, we are financial advisors in Northern Virginia, serving clients in the surrounding area and across the country. We are loyal followers of Christ and lifelong Catholics, serving Catholic clients who seeking financial advice for their families.
Here are some blogs related to Catholic financial planning that you may want to check out:
5 Tips for finding a good Catholic financial planner
Am I not putting God first by wanting to grow my wealth?
Should I invest in Catholic mutual funds?
Now let’s get on with the list of things you should be thinking about if you are seeking a financial advisor for Catholic families.
#1
“How many Catholic clients do you have? Do you work with non-Catholics? How long have you had this niche focus?”
This is an important question to ask if you want to financial advice that truly aligns with Catholic values. Although many people may claim to be Catholic financial planners, a lot of times it doesn’t have any real meaning. You want a financial advisor who is committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and whose recommendations will reflect that – not just somebody who has a few Catholic clients and slaps the “financial advisor for Catholic people” moniker onto themselves for marketing purposes.
Here is one way you can find out how committed a financial advisor is to working with Catholic clients: ask them bluntly how many Catholic clients they have. You could also ask them to estimate the ratio of Catholic clients to non-Catholic clients. Try to get a sense of how long they’ve had this niche focus. If it’s a recent decision, how sure are you that they’re going to stay with it?
#2
“What are the specific ways you will cater to my Catholic beliefs and values in my savings, investments, financial plan, and estate plan?”
The financial advisor has to be able to apply the Catholic doctrine to the way they practice financial planning. It’s not just about praying for your family and observing Catholic holy days.
They have to know how your values and beliefs are different because you are Catholic, and what that means for:
- Your savings goals
- The way you spend money
- Your charitable ambitions
- How you set up your estate plan and final (burial) arrangements
- Investing in certain companies who embody your virtues and avoiding investment in companies that engage in sinful practices
As an example, here are some social media postings we’ve written about financial questions that our Catholic clients tend to ask us:
Is it worth it to send my child to a Catholic college?
Am I not putting God first by wanting to grow my wealth?
Should I invest in Catholic mutual funds?
In addition, a Catholic financial planner should inspire you to live out your beliefs and apply them to your financial life in other ways.
How to strive for financial purity
The Transfiguration and your family’s financial plan
Financial lessons from St. Thomas the Apostle
#3
“What are your views on “Biblical investing?”
Biblical investing is popular with many Catholics. Simply put, it is defined as investing your portfolio in a way that excludes companies whose activities are identified as not consistent with the values of the Church, such as weaponry, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or child labor.
While many Catholic financial advisors acknowledge this, what is lost many times is the catch – in general these funds often come with higher expense ratios and lag the performance of the broader market (from what we’ve seen over time).
If you are looking for a financial advisor who will invest your money in a way that is consistent with your Catholic beliefs, make sure they see it for what it really is (instead of just investing this way unwittingly). They have to be able to understand what the impact of investing this way would be on your overall goals. If it isn’t ideal, they should know that and be able to discuss ways to modify the tactics to meet your faith needs as well as your financial needs.
#4
“In what ways does the faith affect how you guide clients in terms of estate planning/inheritance?”
Catholics have certain guidelines to follow when it comes to their final arrangements. Cremation isn’t encouraged. Euthanasia is not allowed, and there is special consideration that must be given regarding pain relief, certain medical interventions, and decisions to prolong someone’s life. Medical directives and healthcare proxies should confirm with your Catholic beliefs, and your financial advisor should be knowledgeable enough and willing to work with your estate attorney to make sure they are written properly.
#5
“Can you share a story or two about how your Catholic focus resulted in a significant improvement for your clients?”
They should have at least three stories to share. If not, their words don’t necessarily line up with their past actions and you should doubt their commitment to this niche.
Searching for a Catholic financial planner: concluding remarks
When you are looking for a financial planner who will accommodate your Catholic beliefs, make sure that you go beyond the surface. Find out how it impacts the decisions you will be making about saving, investing, estate planning, and even how you run your business if you have one.
We are Catholic financial advisors serving families in Manassas, Virginia, and the surrounding area. We create financial plans that help Catholic people make major life decisions as they pursue their life goals, and our advice is consistent with the teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church. If you would like to meet with us, please set up a time to speak.
Timothy Mayer

Timothy Mayer is a Catholic financial advisor and a principal of PrimeauMayer Financial, a financial advisory firm that provides wealth management solutions to families, successful business owners and executives: investment management, financial planning, tax mitigation, effective wealth transfer to take care of heirs, asset protection, and magnification of charitable gifts.
Disclaimers
Any similarities to people living or deceased are entirely coincidental.
Investment advisory services offered through PrimeauMayer Advisors LLC, registered with the Commonwealth of Virginia. For a complete description of investment risks, fees and services, review the PrimeauMayer Advisors LLC firm brochure (ADV Part 2A) which is available from your Investment Advisor Representative or by contacting PrimeauMayer Advisors LLC.