Find a Financial Advisor Near You

How finding a financial advisor near you works

Searching for a financial advisor near me usually starts with a list of nearby offices. But the right advisor is not always the closest one. What matters most is whether the advisor understands your goals, your state’s tax and legal rules, and the kind of financial life you have, whether that is a growing family, a business, a public pension or a portfolio you want to turn into retirement income.

Our free service connects you with financial advisors who serve your area. You fill out one short form, an advisor reaches out to set up a call at a time that suits you, and you decide whether to continue. There is no cost and no obligation for the first conversation.

Financial advisors near you: what they do and what they cost

A financial advisor helps you organize your money and make better decisions. Depending on the advisor, that can include budgeting and saving, investing, retirement income planning, insurance, college savings, tax strategy and coordinating your estate plan with an attorney.

Advisors are paid in different ways, and knowing how is just as important as knowing what they offer.

Wealth management near you

Wealth management is a comprehensive service for people with more complex finances. A wealth management firm typically combines investment management with tax planning, estate coordination, charitable giving, insurance review and business succession planning. Many firms have account minimums, though some offer lighter versions for people who are still building assets.

Wealth management is often a good fit if you own a business, hold a large position in company stock, have inherited assets, own several properties or want one team to coordinate your accountant, attorney and investments. When comparing firms, ask who will manage your money day to day, how often you will meet, and what the all-in cost is once fund expenses are included.

Financial planners near you

A financial planner turns your whole financial picture into a written plan with clear next steps. Planning is a smart starting point if you want to know whether you are on track, need help prioritizing goals, or want a second opinion before a big decision. Certified Financial Planner professionals meet education, exam and experience standards and must act as fiduciaries when giving financial advice. You can confirm a CFP professional on the CFP Board website.

Common planning topics include building an emergency fund, paying off debt, saving for college, choosing workplace benefits, buying a home and setting retirement targets. Our free guides on budgeting and saving, debt management and college savings are good places to start before your first meeting.

Get a second opinion on your finances

A financial planner who serves your area can review your budget, savings and goals with you, free and with no obligation.

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Retirement planning near you

Retirement planning is where state rules matter most. A few examples of how states differ:

• Income tax. A small group of states has no broad personal income tax, while others tax wages, pensions and retirement account withdrawals. Many states that have an income tax still exempt some or all retirement income.
• Social Security. Most states do not tax Social Security benefits, but a handful do, often with income-based exemptions.
• Property tax relief. Many states and localities offer homestead exemptions, freezes or deferrals for older homeowners.
• Estate and inheritance taxes. Some states have their own estate tax or inheritance tax with thresholds far below the federal level.
• Public pensions. Teachers and other public employees in many states are covered by state pension systems, and some do not pay into Social Security in those jobs.

These differences can change how much you need to save, which accounts to draw from first and even where you choose to live. A local advisor can model your Social Security claiming age, pension options, withdrawal order and healthcare costs before and after Medicare begins at 65. Our retirement planning guide and tax planning guide explain the basics.

Life insurance near you

Life insurance protects the people who rely on you. Term life covers a set number of years and is the most affordable way to buy a large amount of coverage. Permanent life insurance lasts for life and builds cash value, but costs more. The right amount depends on your income, debts, family and savings. Our life insurance guide walks through how much coverage people typically consider.

Insurance is regulated by each state’s insurance department, which licenses companies and agents and handles complaints. Rules on topics such as creditor protection and, in community property states, policy ownership between spouses vary by state, which is one reason working with someone who knows your state helps. A fee-only advisor can also review a policy you already own without trying to sell you a new one.

Investment advisors near you

An investment advisor manages a portfolio for you or recommends investments. Registered investment advisers owe their clients a fiduciary duty. Smaller firms generally register with their state securities regulator, while larger firms register with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Brokers are overseen by FINRA, and many professionals hold both registrations.

Before you hire anyone, look them up on the SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure site and FINRA BrokerCheck, and read their Form ADV Part 2 brochure, which explains services, fees and conflicts of interest. A good investment advisor will talk with you about your goals and risk tolerance, diversification, costs and taxes, not just returns. Our investing basics guide covers the fundamentals.

Financial advice at every stage of life

You do not need to be wealthy or close to retirement to benefit from advice. Here is what people commonly work on with an advisor at each stage.

Starting out

Early in your career, the biggest wins come from habits: a budget you can stick to, an emergency fund, paying down high-interest debt and capturing any employer match in your retirement plan. An advisor can also help you choose health insurance and other workplace benefits, and decide between Roth and traditional contributions.

Growing a family

Marriage, a home and children bring new priorities. Couples often need help combining finances, buying enough life and disability insurance, writing wills and naming guardians, and deciding how much to save for college versus retirement.

Peak earning years

In your forties and fifties, income is often at its highest and decisions get more complex: equity compensation, catch-up contributions, tax planning, caring for aging parents and making sure your investments match your timeline. This is when many people move from a one-time plan to ongoing advice.

Approaching and living in retirement

The ten years before retirement are the most important for planning. Advisors help you set a retirement date, choose when to claim Social Security, compare pension options, plan for healthcare before Medicare, and build a withdrawal strategy that keeps taxes in check and your savings lasting.

Questions to ask at your first meeting

Your first conversation is a chance to interview the advisor as much as they learn about you. Useful questions include:

• Are you a fiduciary at all times, for every account you would manage for me?
• How are you paid, and what would my total cost be each year, including fund expenses?
• What services are included, and how often will we meet?
• What experience do you have with people in my situation and with the rules in my state?
• Who holds my money? (It should be an independent custodian, not the advisor personally.)
• What would you expect me to do differently after our first few meetings?

A good advisor will answer clearly and welcome the questions. If anything is vague, especially about fees or conflicts of interest, keep looking.

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Frequently asked questions