When it comes to our finances, we want the very best, but unfortunately, there are a lot of bad apples on the tree. Picking a financial advisor isn’t as easy as opening a phone book and calling one up.  There are steps and details that you must go through in order to pick the one that is best for you.

The Right Scale

Financial advisors work with all sorts of people, from the very rich, all the way down to middle-class families. The first thing you should do is find one that is an expert in working with your level of capitalization. If you take your finances to a company that works with a bunch of millionaires daily, your case will not get as much attention as their other clients.

Location, Location, Location

You should also pick a financial advisor close to home. Never go to a financial advisor that operates in another state or country than where you are. Being close is the best way to keep a watchful eye over your money.  It’s hard for an advisor to ignore a customer who can simply show up at their office.

Competency

Credentials are also important: a financial advisor must always be certified.  Non-certified advisors are often engaged in shady dealings, and may well end up funnelling your investment funds into stocks that they have a personal relationship with, or might simply be unqualified and end up losing your money through incompetence.