A financial adviser or financial planner is an expert who gives personal financial advice to clients according to their individual financial circumstances. In most countries, financial advisers must first complete certain training and then be registered with a governing body to give such advice. The vast majority of advisers start out by being self-employed, working from home or by becoming associated with a company that gives such advice.

In some countries, financial advisors are regulated by the government as “stockbrokers” and must offer certain services that benefit consumers, such as providing investment advice and investing in securities (such as shares, securities and futures) according to their client’s needs. Financial planners can also take care of investment decisions for family members. These professionals often deal with estate planning and retirement accounts, as well as stock market and mutual fund investments.

When looking for the right fit for your personal financial planning needs, you’ll want to find someone with an educational background that suits your needs, as well as years of experience and proven abilities. It’s important to choose a planner that has the right mix of skills and experiences to make sure that you get the best advice and best investment returns. As well, you’ll want to look for a planner who is licensed with the relevant authority in your state to make sure that the professional you choose is not a fraud. Finally, you’ll want to make sure that you get adequate proof of the fees charged by the financial advisor or planner and that they have appropriate authorisation to give you advice on these matters. You can do this easily by reading their insurance registration or business license documentation or checking with the Financial Services Authority.