Finding a Financial Planner
Use the Financial Planning Association's Find Your Financial Planner Now database to find a licensed certified financial planner in your neighborhood.
Where to Look for a Financial Advisor
If you want to hire a financial planner to help you create and meet financial goals for your future, make sure that your financial planner is a CFP (certified financial professional), meaning that they have passed the rigorous exam administered by the Certified Planning Board of Standards. The CFP Board's website offers a nationwide database you can use to find a licensed financial planner in your neighborhood.
If you want to hire a financial advisor who can buy and sell financial investments (such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds) for you, or create an individual retirement account for you, be aware that FINRA (The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) offers a nifty database called BrokerCheck. Use BrokerCheck to not only see if your financial advisor or investment firm is registered with the SEC but also to check on their educational background, experience and whether they have any regulatory complaints or disciplinary actions filed against them.