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Each financial situation is unique, so finding reliable information from a consultant on your particular situation could be very beneficial. General information can only get you so far, but a financial advisor can help you make the right decisions for your finances. Finding your financial advisor could be tricky, but with a little knowledge, you may be able to find the advisor for you and the answers you have been searching for.

In your search for a financial advisor, you should be looking for a responsible, experienced professional to run your family’s financial affairs. Before making a decision, you should interview many different candidates, and make sure you find the right person for the job. The following questions could easily be asked and answered through email or in person, and they should help you make your final decision.

What services do you offer?

The financial planner services will be able to provide depend on many factors including areas of expertise, licenses, and credentials. They aren’t allowed to offer securities or insurance products without the proper licenses. They also can’t give investment advice unless they are registered with federal or state authorities. You will need to be sure your financial advisor has the ability and credentials needed to perform the tasks you require.

What are the qualifications?

Just because a financial professional says they are a financial planner doesn’t necessarily mean they are qualified to advise others. Ask any potential financial planner about their qualifications and whether or not they hold a financial planning designation. Holding a professional designation shows the advisor has dedication to the profession and the ability to perform well in this field.

What experience do you have?

You will want to find out how long this person has been working as a financial advisor. Ask them to describe their work experience and how that experience relates to their current practice. I would advise that you choose an advisor with a minimum of four years of experience counseling individuals with their financial needs. This person will be helping you handle your life savings, and that is not something you should take lightly. You will need someone with financial experience, and while they may have many years of experience as a CPA or in the banking industry, that doesn’t mean they have experience handling other people’s money.

Explain this concept.

Choose a situation that you’d like them to cover and see if their explanation makes sense to you. If they aren’t able to communicate effectively or if they explain the concept in a way that you don’t understand, it’s time to look for someone else. You want to be able to work with someone who will be able to convey financial concepts in a way that will make sense to you. Some examples of concepts you could use are passive and active investing, laddered bond portfolios, or annuities.

Can I have that in writing?

Before you leave your advisor and trust them with your money, you need to make sure the planner provides you with a written agreement. This agreement should include details of the services that will be provided and the compensation for those services. Keep this document in a safe place for future reference.

Vanessa Lang is an author who works for a website that focuses on educating readers about quick payday loans. She writes guest posts on the topics of personal finance, credit cards, marketing, and business.