Today’s technology gives us incredible access to more information and choices than we can possibly imagine. But as you accumulate wealth and your needs become more complex, there are still some critical items that call for a high level of personal service.

Here are the top five benefits of having personalized, face-to-face service from a trusted financial advisor:

1. Getting to know you

The true value of a financial advisor may lie in emotional intelligence and interaction. When personal relationships are formed, advisors gain insight into your unique financial picture, including your priorities, pressing concerns, and psychological tendencies.

Without that personal relationship, you may not be asked the right questions or be able to provide enough information to accurately assess your needs and appetite for risk. In fact, an investor’s psychological risk tolerance can be difficult to assess. Some people who describe their personality a certain way may act differently under real-life conditions.

When challenges inevitably arise, a financial advisor can step in to help you overcome impulses and biases that could prevent you from achieving your objectives.

2. More choices

Other firms might manage investment assets for less than the fees normally charged by personal financial advisors. But you’re typically limited to portfolio management, and a reliance on ETFs and mutual funds means that you may not have access to individual stocks and bonds, or to some types of alternative investments. A financial advisor often has a wider range of asset classes to choose from and may be able to build a broader investment portfolio — or a more focused one — depending on your goals and tolerance for risk.

3. Customization

Once an advisor gets to know you, he or she can recommend investments and financial planning strategies geared specifically toward your needs. There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” strategy. An advisor can deliver tailored solutions to maximize your wealth by factoring in the specifics of your situation. This may mean factoring in low cost basis stocks, recommending ways to maximize the effectiveness of your charitable giving, emphasizing tax-efficient strategies, and many other considerations.

Some financial advisors may utilize a digital platform for investment management purposes. While technology is essential, a full-service practice can help meet additional financial needs and provide customized advice that is much wider in scope. Recommendations might incorporate plans for debt management, insurance protection, college funding, charitable and family giving, tax strategies, wealth transfer, Social Security optimization, and retirement income planning.

4. Accountability

What happens when an investor veers off track and is not making sufficient progress toward your stated financial goals? It’s difficult to disregard a trusted advisor. The prospect of regular checkups with a real person who cares about your future might inspire more realistic decisions about spending and saving. A financial advisor can keep you better informed by discussing the financial issues that matter most to you.

5. Perspective

Finally, one strength of a financial advisor is the ability to listen and lend emotional support through life’s transitions. During difficult events such as divorce or death of a spouse, having a dedicated person to call could help ensure that short-term issues don’t derail an effective long-term strategy.

All investing involves risk, but a relationship with a trusted financial advisor who provides personalized, comprehensive service, can provide peace of mind when it comes to your financial future.