Financial planning is the kind of job you are able to carry out yourself. The Internet, books, software programs will provide all the necessary information about investment activity, stocks and mutual funds, taxation, asset allocation and other important financial facts. If you find it boring to learn all this stuff, if you have no basic financial knowledge or if you are not willing to spend your time on all this routine, then financial planner is exactly what you need.
A lot of people develop their financial plans but sometimes they consult an expert to correct mistakes or help to optimize time and resources.
Finding a Competent Financial Planner
A financial planner is a person that will sort out your strengths and show you the way how to use them in attaining your financial objectives.
A qualified and experienced planner considers investing, taxes, accounting and insurance.
It may seem problematic and hard to find an objective financial planner. To do it you’ll have to apply to banks, accountants, brokerage firms, certified financial planners that will offer their services for money. Another way to find a planner is to ask references from your friends, relatives, or co-workers. Don’t make a long list of candidates, choose the best five and then schedule the interviews. Make sure that the initial interviews are free and prepare a number of questions to the planners.
Immediately decide what you want to get from a financial planner and try to notice that his/her investment viewpoint is similar to yours.
If your aim is to preserve capital and if you have low risk tolerance, you wouldn't choose a planner who likes to invest in junk bonds and penny stocks. You can conduct an interview over the phone or face-to-face, the second way is better. Despite of the way, try to notice whether the candidate seems qualified and experienced, whether he listens to you attentively, is responsive and honest.
Try to understand the different ways to charge fees, and see if the method your future adviser uses is convenient for you.
Check the adviser’s references. Once you’ve chosen a planner, check his background: make sure that he is licensed by the government. Ask to see the planner's Form ADV.
Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if this adviser has any complaints written against him.
Cost
A medium fee of the planner is about $100 per hour; a comprehensive financial plan will cost you approximately $700; for a plan that concerns one specific field you’ll pay $300.
Generally the price of adviser’s services depends on the complexity of your investments and financial state, also on the place where you live and the fee-charging method that he uses. | 
