mostly because I was more interested in furthering the realization that NET RETURN TRUMPS LOW EXPENSES than talking about FAs.
If what you are interested in is did I make money or did I lose money. Then bottom line returns are quite appropriate and certainly the gold standard indicator.
If you are trying to determine if the value added by the FA is appropriate, then you start comparing your performance to that of other similar things without the FA. Additionally you, and only you, have to decide what the intangibles like hand holding and/or support for kids should you get hit by a bus are worth. All other people can do is identify the other things and point out the difference in the basic numbers.
Like others I am troubled, that your FA sounds like he is day trading mutual funds. I can't fathom why he would do this. Do you know why?