Charles A. Jaffe 
Getting Started in Finding a Financial Advisor 

An accessible guide that contains the tools needed to findtrustworthy financial assistance

Given the events of the past two years-from bankruptcies tofinancial scams-it is more important than ever that investorsunderstand who they are hiring to handle their finances.

Getting Started in Finding a Financial Advisor exploresthe important relationship between an investor and their financialadvisor and examines how you should go about finding potentialcandidates. Along the way, it shows you how to interview and checkthe credentials of six key types of advisor so that you can spotand avoid rogues, scam artists, and incompetents. You will alsolearn how to understand what can happen if the institution or theadvisor ends up in financial or legal difficulty. This insightfuland useful guide

* Helps you determine the kind of advisor best-suited for yoursituation
* Provides interview questions, discusses what credentials reallymean, and which are important
* Explains in detail the issue of fiduciary responsibility offinancial advisors, so you can find helpers who are on yourside

Most people who give advice about money are trusted withoutactually earning that trust. Getting Started in Finding a Financial Advisor helps you set the highest standards, allowingyou to locate professionals who can be trusted to protect yourfinancial well-being and help you prosper.

Table of Content

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Part I: A Soup-To-Nuts Guide on Selecting Your Advisor.

Chapter 1: You Need Financial Help. Now What?

Chapter 2: You Get What You Pay For, and Pay for What You Get.

Chapter 3: The Seven Big Mistakes People Make When Hiring Advisers.

Chapter 4: Why You May Be the Only One You Can Trust.

Chapter 5: Swimming through Alphabet Soup.

Part II: Selecting, Interviewing and Getting Rid of Your Advisor.

Chapter 6: Your First Meeting with an Adviser.

Chapter 7: Interviewing a Financial Planner.

Chapter 8: Interviewing a Broker.

Chapter 9: Interviewing a Money Manager.

Chapter 10: Interviewing Insurance Agents.

Chapter 11: Interviewing an Accountant/Tax Preparer.

Chapter 12: Interviewing a Lawyer.

Chapter 13: Interviewing a Real Estate Agent.

Chapter 14: Get What You Need from References and Referrals.

Chapter 15: Breaking up Is Hard to Do.

The Last Word.

About the Author.

Index.

About the author

Chuck Jaffe is a Senior Columnist for Market Watch. His work is syndicated nationally to an audience of more than twenty million readers per week, with his ‘Your Funds’ column being the most widely read feature on mutual fund investing in America. Upon joining Market Watch in 2003, Jaffe created the ‘Stupid Investment of the Week’ column, a quirky feature that highlights the flaws that make for bad investments. In addition to Market Watch, Jaffe provides regular guest commentary for Nightly Business Report on public television and for All Things Considered on National Public Radio.