Review your account information
You'll receive key information when you buy and sell an investment, as well as regular account statements. Use this information to stay on top of your investments and track your progress toward meeting your goals.
3 key sources of information
1. Confirmation slips
- You’ll receive a confirmation slip after you buy or sell an investmentInvestment An item of value you buy to get income or to grow in value.+ read full definition:
- Check that the investments bought and sold are correct.
- Check that fees and commissionsCommissions What you pay to a broker or agent for their services. Often called a “sales commission”. For example, you pay a fee to someone who buys or sell stocks or real estate for you.+ read full definition charged are correct.
- Keep the confirmation for taxTax A fee the government charges on income, property, and sales. The money goes to finance government programs and other costs.+ read full definition purposes if it shows deductible expenses.
2. Account statements
You should receive monthly or quarterly accountAccount An agreement you make with a financial institution to handle your money. You can set up an account for depositing and withdrawing, earning interest, borrowing, investing, etc.+ read full definition statements that show the activity in your account and provide an update on your investments. You may receive statements in the mail or you may be able to view them online:
- Check that the investments bought and sold are correct.
- Check that the fees and commissions charged are correct.
- See how much your investments have gained or lost.
3. Disclosure documents and notices
This can include prospectuses, proxy voting materials and notices that affect your investments (for example, notice of a stock splitStock split When a company takes steps to divide the shares it already has into more shares. The total dollar value stays the same and the price-per-share drops, so more people can afford to buy the stock than before.+ read full definition):
- Review this information because it may affect your investments. You may have to take action by a certain deadline.
- Ask your advisor or investment firm about anything you don’t understand.
Talk with your advisor
If you use an advisor, meet and talk regularly to see if your investments are on track and still fit with your goals:
- Check how your investments are doing and if they still fit with your goals.
- See if there are any decisions about your investments that you have to make soon.
- Talk about any changes you may want to make.
Take action
Review:
- Your confirmation slips
- Your account statements
- Disclosure documents and notices