NAPFA Launches Field Guide to Help Americans Find Financial Advice…Effectively

Feb. 10, 2011 - PRLog -- ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (February 10, 2011) – Finding quality financial advice has become increasingly difficult over the years, as advertisements and information have overwhelmed Americans who are looking to gain control over their personal financial situations. To make it easier for people in their pursuit of a financial advisor, NAPFA has created an all-encompassing guide that is now available on NAPFA’s homepage at www.NAPFA.org.

The Pursuit of a Financial Advisor Field Guide provides people with a soup-to-nuts approach to find a financial advisor who is capable of helping them achieve their financial goals. The guide includes seven sections, including:

Preparation for the Pursuit – explores credentials, compensation, discipline, elements of financial planning, and differences in standards (fiduciary vs. suitability)

Equipping Yourself - Knowing What To Ask! – provides 26 important questions and answers consumers need to keep in mind when talking with advisors

Selecting Where to Look – examines the best sources available for finding advisors

Evaluating Potential Advisors – discusses what must be covered in introductory meetings and conversations with potential advisors

Engagement – uncovers the information and documentation that must be provided by the advisor at the time of engagement

Evaluating Your Advisor – presents the criteria that consumers can use to evaluate their advisor’s performance on several metrics

Additional Tools and Resources – offers consumers several tools available to them that are provided by credible organizations and agencies

“We are thrilled to offer consumers a useful resource that will help them identify and engage a financial advisor that is right for their individual needs,” said NAPFA Chair Susan John, CFP®. “Our hope is that by consolidating valuable information into one useful resource we can help educate people and at the same time help them zero in on an advisor who is best for them.”

The Pursuit of a Financial Advisor Field Guide is available on www.NAPFA.org as a “flip book” that can be opened and reviewed online. The guide can also be downloaded as a PDF file for later viewing and can be shared via email and printed. The guide can be accessed by clicking HERE or by going to http://www.napfa.org/Pursuit/flipviewerxpress.html.

“NAPFA is always looking for ways to help consumers understand the financial services industry. The more we can do to educate the consumer the more likely they will make better financial choices,” added Ms. John.

If you are interested in speaking with Susan John, CFP® about the new Pursuit of a Financial Advisor Field Guide, please contact Benjamin Lewis at (301) 963-7555 or ben@bdlpr.com.

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Since 1983, The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) has provided Fee-Only financial planners across the country with some of the strictest guidelines possible for professional competency, comprehensive financial planning, and Fee-Only compensation. With more than 2,400 members across the country, NAPFA has become the leading professional association in the United States dedicated to the advancement of Fee-Only financial planning.

For more information on NAPFA, please visit www.napfa.org.