How to Find the Right Financial Planner

It is estimated that there are more than 300,000 financial advisors in the United States today. Financial planners can help anyone whether you are wealthy or just getting started, and can provide advice to both old and young individuals. However, with so many different investment advisors out there, choosing the right individual can be a challenge. After all, this is someone that you are trusting to advise you on how to spend your money. When it comes to finding a new financial planner, there are a few things you should consider before hiring anyone for the job.

Qualifications to Look For In Your Investment Advisor

As you start to look for an investment advisor there are a few different qualifications you need to look for. First of all, any financial advisor should have some sort of certification from a professional organization. While there are a few different organizations out there, one of the most common is the Certified Financial Planner Board. This is the company that owns the CFP and Certified Financial Planner trademarks. Other organizations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Personal Financial Specialist certification, or PFS, and the American College of Financial Services’ Chartered Financial Consultant certification, or ChFC.

When someone has CFP behind their name, it means that they have not only met a number of requirements, but that they have been certified and undergone rigorous testing in the following fields: income tax planning, financial planning, investment planning, estate planning, retirement planning, employee benefits and more.

If you are particularly concerned about a certain type of financial advice, such as investment planning, make sure to look for a planner that has this certification.

Choosing the Right Certified Financial Planner

Most experts will recommend that you look into anywhere from three to five financial planners before deciding who you will trust with your finances. Do your research, call them, look for recommendations from others, and look for individuals who have experience in dealing with clients similar to your.

Make sure to visit a few of these advisors in person and take some time to talk with them about their philosophy and what they would do for you moving forward in terms of financial planning for the future. You need to get along with the advisor and believe in the approach that he wants to take with your financial future. If you do not agree with this person’s philosophy, do not hire them. Do not just assume that because they are a financial planner that what that person is telling you has to be what you do. Ultimately, this is still your money, so you need to find someone that appeals to you.

What to Look For When Reading Financial Planner Reviews

Financial planner reviews are a great place to start when it comes to narrowing down your options for a new financial planner. When reading through the reviews from other clients, it is important to look for individuals that state they feel they can trust their financial planner and that this planner is someone who takes the time to work with them. A good financial planner is about more than just making you some quick money, they are someone that will help you over the long-term make smart decisions regarding the money you have and make certain your finances are working for you.

Keep these tips in mind when it comes to finding a financial planner, and remember it is important to partner with someone that you can trust and who you ultimately feel comfortable with, in order to get the best results from your new planner.

Image Credit: Flickr