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How to Find and Choose a Financial Adviser You Can Trust

Learn how to find a financial adviser, check their record, compare fee structures and know what questions to ask before you hire anyone.

A woman asking questions during a meeting with a financial professional

A good financial adviser can help you plan for retirement, invest with a clear purpose and avoid expensive mistakes. A poor fit can cost you money for years through high fees, products you don't need or advice that serves the adviser more than you. The difference often comes down to a few questions most people never think to ask.

This section explains how the adviser business works in plain English. You'll learn what it means when an adviser is a fiduciary, how fee-only, fee-based and commission pay differ, and what common credentials like the CFP® mark actually require. You'll also see how to look up an adviser's registration and any disciplinary history for free on the SEC's Investor.gov and FINRA's BrokerCheck before you share a dollar or a document.

We don't take payment to recommend specific advisers. Our goal is to help you ask better questions, compare options on equal terms and decide whether you need an ongoing adviser, a one-time plan or a lower-cost alternative such as a robo-advisor.

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A couple in their fifties going over costs at their kitchen table with papers and a calculatorBefore you hireFinancial Advisor Fees: How Much Does a Financial Adviser Cost?Financial advisor fees come as a percentage of assets, hourly or flat fees, or commissions. Here's how each works and what a 1% fee costs over 20 years.Read the guide →A man researching a financial adviser on his laptop at the dining table, with a brochure and notepad beside himBefore you hireHow Do You Check a Financial Adviser's Background for Free?Check any financial adviser for free on Investor.gov and FINRA BrokerCheck. Here's what each tool shows and the red flags to look for before you hire.Read the guide →

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