It's important to have a financial advisor that you are comfortable with, who is trustworthy, credible and is able to successfully manage your investments.

Finding the right one for you is not always easy. Talk to family, friends and work colleagues for any suggestions. Another way is to contact the Financial Planning Association of Australia who will refer you to qualified financial advisors. There is an office in all the major capital cities.

Once you have arranged to see a financial advisor make sure you are organised. By this I mean have the following available:

Personal balance sheet with details of your assets and liabilities.

Income details

Advise them of your future goals. This could include when you want to retire, how much income you would like to retire on, education needs for children.

The first interview is the opportunity to sum up whether the financial advisor is the right one for you. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If they are reluctant to answer, then it is probably worth looking for another advisor!

Question to ask may include:

How long have you been a financial advisor?

What are your qualifications and can you provide proof?

Do you give independent advice?

How long have you been with the firm that you are working for and how long have they been operating for?

Do you provide ongoing service?

How do you get paid?

Will you provide your advice in writing?

What investments do you cover?

Once you have seen a financial advisor for the first time and agreed for them to work with you to produce a financial plan, it is worth remembering the following: There is no such thing as free advice. Good advice is worth paying for.

A financial advisor is a long term proposition. Think of them like your family doctor. One looks after your personal health while the other looks after your financial health. Both are very important.

Successful communication is the key.

Financial planning is the process by which a person or couple moves toward the achievement of personal financial goals through the development of a written financial plan.