Need a Financial Counselor or Coach? Here’s How to Choose One.

No matter where you are in your financial life, chances are you could benefit from financial education and support.

But in today’s environment of instant access to information, people often have trouble knowing what information to trust and who to turn to for financial advice. Because different people have different needs, understanding the “alphabet soup” of the personal finance field is crucial, but it’s equally important to evaluate your situation to accurately determine your needs.

At AFCPE^®, we connect financial professionals across the continuum to ensure that individuals and families, like yours, can navigate the “alphabet soup” and have access to the highest standard of financial advice, at any stage of life.

For individuals and families who don’t know where to begin, Accredited Financial Counselors^® and Financial Fitness Coaches  are great resources. Both types of professionals can help you get your financial bearings, tackle an immediate financial crisis, overcome debt, grow your savings, manage student loans, build a sound financial foundation, and even refer you to a different type of trusted financial professional when your needs change.

Before selecting a financial professional, here are some important questions to ask:

• What experience do you have? Ask for a brief description of financial professionals’ work experience and how it relates to their current practice. Do they have strong experience helping people in a situation that is similar to your own?
• Is there an an oversight body requiring ongoing education and ethics? Ask about the credentials your professional holds and learn how he or she stays up to date with current changes and developments in the personal finance field.
• What services do you offer? Credentials, licenses, and areas of expertise are all factors that determine the services a financial professional can offer. Financial counselors and coaches do not sell insurance or securities products, such as mutual funds or stocks. They also do not typically offer investment advice unless registered with state or federal authorities.
• What is your approach? Make sure the professional’s philosophy and approach aligns with your needs and values. You also may consider your financial professional’s personality and communication style. Standard wisdom on seeking the advice of financial professionals often overlooks the importance of personal compatibility. 
• What types of clients do you typically work with? Some financial professionals prefer to work with clients whose assets fall within a particular range, so it’s important to make sure that the counselor or coach is a good fit for your individual financial situation.
• How much do you charge?  The financial counselor or coach should be able to provide you with an estimate of possible costs based on the work to be performed.
• How will I pay for your services? Financial professionals can be paid in several ways. As part of your written agreement, your financial counselor should make it clear how they will be paid for the services to be provided.
• Do others stand to gain from the financial advice you give me? Ask the professional to provide you with a description of any conflicts of interest in writing.
• Ask for more background. Consider requesting a referral. Also consider asking whether the professional has ever been disciplined for any unlawful or unethical actions.

By becoming an informed consumer, you can choose a financial counselor or coach who is the best possible fit for your financial situation and your life.

Remember: Anyone can call themselves a financial counselor, coach, advisor or planner, but a credential demonstrates a higher level of education, specialty or commitment. In many cases, the credentialing process is like going to school for a specialized program. Also, not all credentials are not created equal. Do your homework. A reputable certification program requires rigorous education and examination, field experience, an ongoing commitment to continuing education, and abidance by a high code of ethics. Whether it be an Accredited Financial Counselor^® (AFC^®), a Financial Fitness Coach (FFC^®) or another reputable certified financial professional, asking questions is a necessary first step to making the best choice to meet your needs and goals.