How do I check a financial advisor's background?

Use free public tools: FINRA BrokerCheck for brokers and many advisors, adviserinfo.sec.gov (the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure / IAPD site) for Registered Investment Advisers and their Form ADV, and the CFP Board to confirm the Certified Financial Planner mark. On adviserinfo.sec.gov you can look up both individual advisers and firms.

What questions should I ask before hiring an advisor?

Ask whether they are a fiduciary all the time, how they are paid, what their fees are in writing, what services they provide, and whether they have conflicts of interest.

What are warning signs of a bad financial advisor?

Watch for advisors who dodge questions about pay, promise high returns with no risk, or rush you to decide. A trustworthy advisor explains things plainly and gives you time.

How to Find and Vet a Financial Advisor

June 10, 2026

How do you find and vet a financial advisor?

Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision, and it is worth taking time to find someone you trust. The process comes down to six steps: know what you need, find candidates, check their background, ask the right questions, listen to how they answer, and then make your choice.

Step 1: Know what you need

Start with your goal. Your needs point to the right kind of advisor. Ask yourself: Do I want help with one task, like a single investment plan? Do I want ongoing help with my whole financial life? Do I want a fiduciary who must act in my best interest? Writing down your goals first makes the search much easier.

Step 2: Find candidates

There are a few common ways to find advisors:

Ask friends or family you trust.
Search professional directories.
Use a matching service that connects you with advisors who fit your needs.

A matching service can save time by searching for you. Our service matches you only with vetted fiduciary advisors.

Step 3: Check their background

Before you trust anyone with your money, confirm who they are. These checks are free and public:

FINRA BrokerCheck: look up brokers and many advisors. It shows their history and any past problems.
adviserinfo.sec.gov (SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure / IAPD): look up Registered Investment Advisers and their representatives. You can search both individual advisers and advisory firms — a firm's page includes its Form ADV (services, fees, and conflicts), and an individual's page shows which firm(s) they are registered with.
CFP Board: confirm if someone really holds the Certified Financial Planner mark.

If an advisor will not tell you their firm or license, treat that as a warning sign.

Step 4: Ask the right questions

A good advisor welcomes hard questions. The key ones include:

"Are you a fiduciary, all the time?"
"How are you paid? Do you earn commissions?"
"What are your fees, in writing?"
"What services do you provide?"
"Do you have any conflicts of interest?"
"What experience do you have with people in my situation?"

See the full list on questions to ask a financial advisor.

Step 5: Listen to how they answer

The answers matter, and so does the way they respond. Watch for good signs — they explain things in plain words, are clear about fees, take time to understand your goals, and put their answers in writing. Watch for warning signs — they dodge questions about pay, promise high returns with no risk (no honest advisor can), or rush you to decide.

Step 6: Make your choice

Take a moment before you commit. A trustworthy advisor will give you the time and space to think. You should feel respected and clear, not pressured.

Let us help you start

Vetting an advisor takes effort, and we make the first steps easier. Our free service matches you with a vetted fiduciary advisor based on your needs, so the early background work is done and you can focus on the conversation. There is no obligation to hire anyone we match you with. Not sure it is the right time yet? See when to find a financial advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check a financial advisor's background?: Use free public tools: FINRA BrokerCheck for brokers and many advisors, adviserinfo.sec.gov (the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure / IAPD site) for Registered Investment Advisers and their Form ADV, and the CFP Board to confirm the Certified Financial Planner mark. On adviserinfo.sec.gov you can look up both individual advisers and firms.
What questions should I ask before hiring an advisor?: Ask whether they are a fiduciary all the time, how they are paid, what their fees are in writing, what services they provide, and whether they have conflicts of interest.
What are warning signs of a bad financial advisor?: Watch for advisors who dodge questions about pay, promise high returns with no risk, or rush you to decide. A trustworthy advisor explains things plainly and gives you time.