Find a Financial Advisor With an Online Locator

It’s a sign of the times and our economic woes. Millions of Americans are turning to certified financial advisors to help them navigate the way forward. Some people had no financial plan to start with, while others found that their plans were not strong enough to survive the economic downturn.

I rarely get excited about new finance tools that come online. But today is an exception. I stumbled across this website about a month ago, steered toward it by a friend. And right away, I was eager to share it with the readers of this blog. It’s called the Local Advisor Connection, and the name says it all. It’s an locator tool to help you find pre-screened financial advisors near you.

Are there other online locators you can use to find a local finance professional? Sure there are. But they’re not all created equally — not by a long shot. Some of them charge advisors for a listing on the website, but they don’t do any kind of verification process. In other words, anyone can “get in” as long as they pay the price of admission.

But the Local Advisor Connection is different. They have a comprehensive screening process in place. When a financial advisor joins the network, they will screen the company to make sure they are (A) properly licensed, (B) trained and experienced, and (C) willing to offer you an initial complimentary phone or email consultation. The website is free to use — you can use it to find a local financial advisor with no charge whatsoever.

This service can connect you with a variety of advisors, specializing in such areas as retirement planning, accounting, real estate law and more.

Tips for Choosing an Advisor

The service I’ve recommended above will help you connect with a local financial advisor. This is one of the first qualities you should look for when choosing a finance professional. He or she should be located near you. Sure, you can correspond by phone and email. But it’s always best to start with an office visit, perhaps even two. This is why I always tell people to “shop locally” when looking for a financial advisor.

The second thing you should consider is the person’s area of specialty / expertise. Personal finance is a big umbrella that includes many different topics. So it’s hard for any one advisor to specialize in all areas of this broad field. Some are experts in 401k management, while others focus on wealth management or asset investments. You get the idea. So when you find an advisor in your area, you should begin by checking their credentials, training, specialty, etc. Try to find a professional who specializes in the kinds of services you’ll be using most.

The website I’ve recommend above will help you with this aspect of the process too. That’s why I’ve recommended it! It really is one of the best ways to find a financial advisor in your area.

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