Achieving your financial goals can be easier with the help of a good financial advisor. Finding the right advisor is, however, a job in itself. Carefully evaluating candidates can be a time-consuming process, but it can be time well spent.

Your financial planner must have experience in insurance programming, investment selection and counseling, tax planning and especially estate planning. It makes sense to work with a planner who has built close working relationships with CPA`s as well as attorneys who specialize in estate planning.

Your goal is to find a capable person in the financial world who shares and respects your ideas for handling your money. It`s a financial relationship you`re forming! Always remember that this person works for you.

Begin by asking yourself just what you want a financial planner to do for you. You may want to hire a financial planner primarily to draw up a comprehensive financial plan. Then you can choose whether to implement the plan yourself or ask your financial planner to help you by coordinating the efforts of professional advisors in putting your plan into action.

Looking for appropriate professional credentials is a good starting point, but you`ll also want to know particulars about the person`s experience. A less tangible but still significant consideration is the more subjective issue of whether you hit it off with a prospective financial advisor. Does the person seem to have time for you; regardless of how much money you have invested? Does he or she really listen to you and seem to respect your opinions? Does the person use financial jargon or explain investments and insurance to you in clear terms?

Also, do a little investigative work regarding the advisor`s firm. Some companies rotate personnel. If you choose a firm because of the qualifications of a particular financial professional, keep in mind that a new person may be put in charge of your file at some future time.

Plan to meet a least annually with your financial advisor to review your financial plan. Share with your planner any changes you may have regarding your financial goals. If you have a major life change during the year, such as the birth of a child or the death of a relative, arrange for a special meeting with your financial advisor. That way, you`ll be sure your money is invested wisely every step of the way.