| Finding a reliable, professional financial planner can | | | | you to verify the information provided by your |
| take some time and a little headache when you're | | | | potential financial planner. |
| curious of how to find someone to manage your | | | | Interview 2 to 4 planners - you may ‘think’ |
| confidential information. In most cases, you have to | | | | you found the perfect planner, but as in any business |
| dig deep into the system to learn about the best of | | | | proposition - interview your candidates. Some may |
| the best that are affordable while understanding your | | | | have shaky backgrounds that need to be analyzed or |
| financial goals. For most people interested in financial | | | | clients that are not pleased. Dig to see what makes |
| planning, they have to look in the mirror and ask the | | | | one of them the best match for your needs before |
| tough question - Am I ready to do this? Are you? If | | | | committing to a service offer. |
| so, here are 11 key qualities to look for in a financial | | | | Communications - how will you maintain contact with |
| planner to build your wealth. | | | | your financial planner? Discuss the update process in |
| Set Financial Goals - enter the market with an idea of | | | | which you learn about your investments. Do you plan |
| what you want to accomplish. Most investors are | | | | to receive faxes, phone calls, emails, or other |
| unaware of their opportunities because they do not | | | | correspondences to keep you in the loop? If your |
| complete prior research. Review your financial | | | | planner does not know, then you will never know |
| situation then search for a financial planner to help | | | | what’s going on. |
| you achieve your goals. | | | | Work with a Reputable Firm - Reputations speak |
| Seek Referrals - personal referrals tend to produce | | | | volumes in the financial industry. Consider a firm with |
| high-quality results in finding a financial planner. Many | | | | a long history of success instead of a new firm that |
| investors work with close planners that are known | | | | entered the market one year ago. In most cases, |
| by family members, friends, or colleagues at their | | | | you are trying to save money but you should not |
| company. If you feel more comfortable working with | | | | hinder your opportunities just by cost of |
| a close connect, maybe your search for a | | | | management. |
| professional can stop by a phone call to a good | | | | Planner Philosophy - What does your planner believe |
| friend. | | | | in? Some planners offer aggressive approaches to |
| Check Credentials - Is the financial planner qualified to | | | | the market that can harm your investments. Consider |
| assist in managing your wealth? If you want to work | | | | finding one that matches your tolerance level to get |
| with someone, they should have a stellar background | | | | the best results. |
| in producing results for their clients. Ask for | | | | Compare Planner Fees - How much are the |
| certifications, degrees, and referrals from their | | | | management fees? Do you have to provide an |
| current client base. A professional financial planner will | | | | annual fee, quarter percentage, or anything else? Find |
| be more than happy to supply the information you | | | | out what the fees are from the beginning. Upfront |
| request. | | | | information can show a company’s reliability if |
| Mandatory Affiliations with FPA or AFA - affiliation | | | | they do not hide information. Find one that you can |
| with these top associations means the financial | | | | trust before allowing them to assess your money. |
| planner has passed the stringent membership criteria. | | | | Can you trust this planner? - This is a reality check. |
| If your planner has affiliate ties, you may have a | | | | Do not work with anyone you cannot trust. |
| good one available to help in managing your finances | | | | These qualities are basic understandings of dealing |
| effectively. | | | | with financial planners. In most cases, you have to |
| Verify Certifications - you can verify certifications of | | | | get ready to do dirty work in analyzing services. |
| a financial planner by visiting the FPA or AFA | | | | It’s going to be a hard task, but you need to |
| websites. Each website offers a search feature for | | | | know where you’re putting your money. |