Finance advise. It’s one of those things that is hard when it’s super easy. However, many people need help choosing the right financial advisor. The good news is that there are plenty of steps you can take to find a trustworthy professional who will work with you—and not against you—to achieve your goals and avoid financial pitfalls.

The most important part of making sure you have the right advisor being able to communicate clearly with your financial advisor, both on a personal basis and over the phone. That way, you won’t have to wonder what he or she is thinking when they suggest investments that will cost more than you expect or less than you’d like.

Finding someone who sounds good on paper (and in person) is crucial. Make sure you’re comfortable with what your potential advisor says, whether you like it or not. If you feel this way, having the conversation first thing during your initial phone call will help you get a sense of whether they understand your needs and goals and have a strong understanding of investing, which are the cornerstones of an excellent financial advisor’s career.

It also helps to find an advisor willing to educate themselves on the latest research and techniques before making recommendations to their clients. The best financial advisors are always learning, and they make sure their clients benefit from the most up-to-date data and insights. This includes learning why some things work while others don’t; why certain investments work better for shorter periods, how new trends in investments affect your life and future plans, the latest research on how investing affects you psychologically or emotionally, and more.

There’s a lot to learn about financial planning, which is why it’s so essential that an advisor puts in the time to get familiar with these topics. Even if an advisor has yet to gain specific expertise in one area (like tax planning), he or she can find a way to help you understand your financial objectives. And when you need to work with your advisor on a specific financial matter, he or she will have the knowledge and experience to back up what they’re recommending.

How can you tell if an advisor is a good fit for you? Ask yourself whether he or she is interested in helping you meet your goals—short-term goals like saving for retirement and long-term goals like considering investments that might make future generations better off. If they’re not, find someone else.

Conclusion

By learning how to find a good advisor, you’ll be able to save your own time, money, and stress. Find an advisor who is willing and able to work with you on all of your financial needs—and who can educate you enough to make right decisions for you.

Evelyn Low