A question that often comes up is “Should a financial advisor be registered and qualified?” While the simplest answer is yes, there are some other things that should be taken into consideration. What you will find is that overlooking any of these items could result in some financial headaches.

One of the things you need to realize is that being registered is more than a piece of paper. Something to take into account is that when a financial advisor becomes registered, they are tested and show proficiency when it comes to people and their finances. Since they cannot simply become registered without having the education in their background and be able to demonstrate their knowledge, they will be a better person to trust over someone who can only balance their checkbook.

What you will find is that when you regularly speak to this person, the knowledge they have combined with their attentiveness will help you in the long run. You won’t have to wonder what the next step is going to be and the direction is going to be essential for your long term success. At the same time, they will be able to provide you with the risks and an understanding of what you need to avoid when possible.

This professional will also have the tools to teach you on how to better handle your money. Knowing all this, you do need to ensure this professional has some of the essential certifications that are available they include:

• Chartered Financial Analyst  (CFA)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

What you will find is that some of these certifications will also crossover to other areas in the financial industry. Make sure you speak with a financial advisor in advance and understand their experience and qualifications so you end up working with a professional you can trust.