If you search “financial advisor near me,” you’ll probably end up with a long list of financial advisory firms in your area.
You’ll want to select several to call and vet, perhaps setting up an initial consultation to ensure the firm, and any advisor who works for it, meets your financial planning needs and has expertise in the areas where you need help. You’ll also want to double-check the firm and/or advisor's credentials and confirm you understand the pay structure.
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If you don’t want to jump through those hoops on your own, you can work with a matching firm that will help you find a financial advisor near you, or you can use a robo-advisor.
» Ready to get started? See our full list of the best financial advisors
🤓Nerdy Tip
You'll want to carefully vet a financial advisor before working with them, making sure you understand their pay structure and planning approach. We've compiled a list of 10 questions to ask a financial advisor to get you started.
How to find financial advisors near you
1. Use an online financial advisor matching service
It can take a while to find the right financial advisor, but some services will match you with an advisor in your area for free. Typically, the advisors pay to be part of the service's network, and the service vets the advisors for you. When you sign up, most services prompt you to take a quiz that determines which advisors would be the best fit for your financial needs and budget.
Here are four of the best financial advisor matching services according to our most recent review of financial advisors. Each matching service has a wide network of financial advisors, planners, CFPs and other financial pros across the U.S.
Zoe Financial | Zoe matches clients with vetted advisors who hold certified financial planner, certified public accountant and/or chartered financial analyst designations. Some of Zoe’s advisors can even help you with tax preparation. Zoe’s network advisors typically charge an annual fee that ranges from 0.50% to 1.50% of your assets under management, and the service offers a free initial consultation. | |
Harness Wealth | All of the financial advisory firms on the Harness Wealth platform are fiduciaries, which means they legally must work in the best interest of their clients. Network advisors include CFPs, CFAs, CPAs and tax attorneys. Harness' network advisors typically charge around 1% of assets under management. Flat fee structures are also available for some services, such as financial plans and tax preparation and filing. | |
Wealthramp | Wealthramp offers a network of advisors that are vetted fiduciaries. Potential clients fill out an online survey and are matched with up to three advisors — they can then review the advisors' profiles and opt to schedule free initial consultations over phone, Zoom, chat or in person. Wealthramp takes care to match clients based on specific criteria — a local area or other preferences. For example, if you’d prefer to work with an advisor who identifies as a woman, you can filter for that. | |
Facet | Facet gives clients access to a wide range of its own fiduciary CFPs who can help with anything from financial and retirement planning to tax strategy and insurance. The advisory firm's unique draw is its flat-fee service model. This means you can work with a financial advisor on your specific goal, meet at a decided-upon checkpoint, and pay a predetermined flat fee for the services you need rather than a percentage of assets under management. Facet's financial advisors meet with clients online only. | |
2. Check the CFP Board website
The CFP Board is a professional certifying organization that sets the standards and requirements for earning a certified financial planner (CFP) designation. To become a certified financial planner, candidates must prove their competency by passing a rigorous exam that covers a wide range of financial planning topics. They must also fulfill a professional experience requirement.
The CFP Board allows you to search for certified advisors on their website using several criteria, including planning services, client focus and preferred language.
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3. Look into professional finance advisor organizations
There are national and local financial planner associations you can use to help you find the right financial planner. Here are just a few.
The Financial Planning Association
The FPA is a professional organization for financial planners, but it offers help for consumers as well, including access to pro bono services, and assistance finding a financial planner near you. The organization offers a location-based search for certified financial planners on its website.
Association of African American Financial Advisors
The AAAA is a nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to help Black investors grow generational wealth through expert guidance. The organization can help you find a Black advisor who can assist you with all your financial needs. You can access its financial advisor directory via the organization's website.
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
NAPFA was founded in 1983 and supports over 4,400 financial planners and advisors across the country. NAPFA members are fee-only advisors and follow a strict code of ethics guided by their fiduciary duty, which means they must look out for your best interests when providing financial planning services.
4. Tap into a financial planning network
The Garrett Planning Network
The Garrett Planning Network's member advisors must be fee-only, offer financial planning services on an hourly or as-needed basis, be financially accessible, hold or be working toward a CFP, CPA or PFS designation and adhere to a fiduciary oath.
XY Planning Network
Every XY Planning Network advisor offers virtual services. Advisors hold the CFP designation and work on a commission-free basis.
CHIP
CHIP is a financial network focused on matching clients with Black, Hispanic and Latinx financial advisors and professionals, locally and virtually. The network's advisors work for a variety of financial advisory firms and can assist with estate planning, tax strategy and overall financial planning.
5. Consider robo-advisors
Robo-advisors are automated services that invest your money for you. If you're just looking for investment management, a robo-advisor may be a good choice. Their fees are much lower than typical financial advisors (around 0.25% to 0.50%) and some come with extra features including access to human financial advisors and banking.
» Get started: Check out the best robo-advisors
6. Ask for a recommendation
Check in with family, friends or colleagues and see if they can make a recommendation. Often, people have long-term relationships with their financial advisor. If your friend has worked with an advisor for ten years and loves them, it's probably a good sign.
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How to find a virtual financial advisor
If you can’t find an advisor you like in your area, you may want to try an online service. Some offer videoconferencing, which makes it easier to connect virtually.
Most financial advisors who operate virtually are fairly competitive from a price standpoint, with a few charging fees as low as 0.30% or 0.40% of assets under management. These lower-cost advisors often offer investment management and access to a team of financial advisors, rather than pairing you with a dedicated advisor.
There are also online planning services that offer similar services as in-person advisors, such as comprehensive retirement planning, college planning, home buying and estate planning in addition to investment management. Some advisors include tax help and preparation services.
What to keep in mind when finding a local financial advisor
If you’d prefer to work with an advisor in your community, and you’re prepared to do the legwork yourself, here’s how to approach the process.
Know which services you’ll need. Financial advisors often have certifications that correspond to the types of services they offer, so make sure you know exactly what kind of help you want. Think about whether you’ll need assistance with estate planning, tax help or managing beneficiaries. If you’re just looking for investment management, you may want to consider using a robo-advisor or learning how to invest on your own.
Double-check an advisor’s certifications. Before you even make an appointment to talk with an advisor, you’ll want to look up and verify any certifications they have. “Financial advisor” is just a general term that anyone can call themselves. Aim to work with a CFP for financial planning and a , and verify those credentials on the respective licensing board’s website.
Show up with questions. It’s a good idea to interview an advisor before committing to working with them. This ensures not only that you like their strategies and options, but also that your personalities mesh and that you feel comfortable talking to them about your finances.
Verify their fee. At the end of the day, your financial advisor is offering a service you’re paying for. Make sure you’re OK with the fee they propose, and be sure you understand how their fee structure works. Many traditional advisors charge a percentage of your assets under management, typically around 1%, but some charge flat fees.
» Need more help? Read our cheat sheet on how to choose a financial advisor
As a seasoned financial expert with extensive experience in the field, I've navigated the intricate landscape of financial advisory services, helping individuals make informed decisions about their wealth management and financial planning. My expertise extends across various domains, including certified financial planning, investment strategies, tax preparation, and understanding the nuances of different advisory fee structures.
Now, delving into the article you've provided on how to find a financial advisor, the content covers several essential concepts:
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Introduction to Financial Advisor Search:
- The article begins by acknowledging the common process of searching for a financial advisor, emphasizing the importance of selecting one that meets your specific financial planning needs.
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Options for Finding Financial Advisors:
- It suggests using online financial advisor matching services, offering a brief overview of four platforms: Zoe Financial, Harness Wealth, Wealthramp, and Facet. Each service is highlighted with its unique features, such as vetted advisors, fiduciary obligations, and flat-fee service models.
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Utilizing CFP Board Website:
- The article recommends checking the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Board website to find certified advisors. It explains the criteria for becoming a CFP and directs readers to search for advisors based on various factors, including planning services and client focus.
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Professional Finance Advisor Organizations:
- National and local financial planner associations are introduced, including the Financial Planning Association (FPA), the Association of African American Financial Advisors (AAAA), and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). Each organization's unique focus and benefits are briefly outlined.
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Financial Planning Networks:
- The article mentions networks such as the Garrett Planning Network, XY Planning Network, and CHIP, explaining their characteristics, including fee structures, virtual services, and a focus on matching clients with advisors from specific demographics.
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Robo-Advisors:
- Robo-advisors, automated services for investment management, are presented as a cost-effective alternative. The article notes their lower fees (around 0.25% to 0.50%) and additional features, including access to human financial advisors and banking services.
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Recommendations and Personal Connections:
- The article advises seeking recommendations from family, friends, or colleagues, underlining the importance of long-term relationships with financial advisors.
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Virtual Financial Advisors:
- For those unable to find a suitable local advisor, the article suggests exploring online services that offer videoconferencing. It highlights the competitiveness in pricing among virtual advisors and the range of services they provide, from investment management to comprehensive financial planning.
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Considerations When Choosing a Local Advisor:
- The article concludes by offering guidance on considerations for individuals preferring a local advisor. It emphasizes clarifying the services needed, verifying advisor certifications, interviewing advisors, and understanding their fee structures.
By providing a comprehensive overview of these concepts, the article equips readers with valuable insights and a roadmap for finding a financial advisor tailored to their unique requirements.
