How to Find A Financial Planner

Financial security is important, yet many people do not know how to find a financial planner.   A person will need a financial planner when they have reached approximately $50,000 in savings and investments — the monetary amount can be more or less depending on the comfort level of the individual.   It is of the utmost importance to find a trustworthy financial planner when the time comes. The following steps will highlight how to find a financial planner.

1. Download the list of “10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Planner.”  The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP) publishes this list, and it can be found by visiting their website.
2. Go to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Website at cfp.net.
3. Select the option to “Search for a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional.” 
4. Choose from the various personalized search options to find a financial planner in a particular area.
5. Make a list from the search results found
6. Contact the financial planners on the list, have a copy of the 10 questions, and proceed to interview the financial planner using the listed questions.
7. Choose a financial planner based on their answers to the 10 questions.
8. Go back to the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. Website at cfp.net, and choose the “Search for a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional” option again.
9. Input the name of the chosen financial planner(s) in the appropriate field, and then click “Submit.”
10. Review the information about the financial planner; it will reflect any disciplinary action taken against the chosen professional. 
11. Contact the desired financial planner and make an appointment. 

By following each step listed above, the process for how to find a financial planner will be safer than picking out a name in the telephone book, or choosing a random name from basic Internet search.  This is the most responsible way to find a trustworthy financial planner.

Reference:

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Search Page

10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Financial Planner