What Does a BBB Accredited Financial Advisor Rating Mean?

Meridian Financial Partners is now a BBB Accredited Business and holds an A+ rating on its BBB business profile. BBB, the Better Business Bureau, rates businesses on its own scale of A+ to F, and accredited businesses commit to upholding BBB Standards for Trust. The rating reflects BBB’s criteria for business practices and does not measure investment performance or advice.

Disclosure: BBB rating as of October 20, 2026, assigned by BBB using its own criteria. Meridian pays BBB fees to maintain its accreditation. Not an endorsement by BBB. Full disclosure at the end of this article.

Meridian’s BBB accreditation and rating

Meridian became a BBB Accredited Business on October 5, 2026. As of October 20, 2026, the firm’s BBB business profile shows an A+ rating. A BBB profile gives people another way to learn about a business before reaching out.

What BBB Accreditation and Ratings Are

Accreditation is a status a business chooses to seek. BBB notes that businesses are under no obligation to seek accreditation, and that some businesses are not accredited because they have not sought it. Accredited businesses commit to upholding the BBB Standards for Trust.

A BBB rating is a separate measure. BBB assigns it using its own criteria, which it describes in its overview of how ratings are calculated. A rating can change over time, which is why we note the date on which we checked ours.

Meridian pays fees to BBB to maintain its accreditation. BBB also states that, as a matter of policy, it does not endorse any business.

What a BBB Rating Can and Cannot Tell You

A BBB rating tells you how a business is rated under BBB’s criteria. It does not evaluate investment performance, the quality of financial planning advice, or whether an advisor is a fit for your goals. BBB also notes that it does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties.Those questions need their own research, and the next sections outline where to look.

Where to Research a Financial Advisor

The SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website lets you look up registered investment advisers and read their filings. Two documents are useful to review. Form ADV describes an advisor’s business, fees, and conflicts of interest. Form CRS is a short relationship summary that advisors provide to retail clients.

Fiduciary status is another reference point. It describes the s tandard of care an advisor owes clients, and our article on fiduciaries vs. financial advisors explains how that standard compares with other types of financial professionals. For a related resource, see https://meridianfinancialpartners.com/crs-adv/

Compensation is a third. A fee-only advisor is paid by clients rather than through commissions on products.

Questions to Ask Any Financial Advisor

Whether you are speaking with Meridian or another firm, these questions give you a consistent way to compare.

• How are you paid, and what is the total cost of working together? Listen for a clear answer that covers advisory fees and any other costs.
• Are you a fiduciary at all times when working with me? Ask for the answer in writing.
• What services are included, and who will I work with day to day? Planning, investment management, tax coordination, and ongoing check-ins vary from firm to firm.
• Where can I read your Form ADV and Form CRS? An advisor can point you to both.
• How do you handle questions between scheduled meetings? Responsiveness is easier to evaluate before you become a client.

If you are comparing advisors, take these questions with you to feel prepared with what to ask.

Disclosure

Meridian Financial Partners, LLC has been a BBB Accredited Business since October 5, 2026. As of October 20, 2026, its BBB business profile shows a rating of A+ on BBB’s scale of A+ to F, assigned by BBB using its own criteria. Meridian pays fees to BBB to maintain its accreditation. BBB does not endorse any business. The BBB rating and accreditation do not measure investment performance, the quality of financial advice, or the results any client may experience, and they are not a client testimonial. Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not investment, tax, or legal advice. Consider consulting a qualified professional before making financial decisions.