If you are serious about your financial situation and hope to make all the best decisions for your future, it may be time to hire a professional. But not just any professional. You need to find a local financial planner who can provide you with targeted advice, regardless of your situation.

Like many, you may be concerned about the process associated with choosing a financial planner. After all, this is a big decision that could impact your finances in many ways. The three tips below may not be advanced, but these will definitely put you on the right track:

1. Find a certified financial planner (CFP). These professionals are both licensed and regulated. Along with this, they take mandatory classes to ensure that they stay current with the many aspects of financial planning.

If you only consider certified financial planners, the chance of making a bad decision is much less.

2. What is the planner’s pay structure? In other words, you must know upfront how the person expects to be paid. It is best to opt for a financial planner who charges a flat or hourly rate. If you choose a commission based planer, this person may push you towards one investment or another, doing what is best for them as opposed to what is best for you.

3. Ask questions. How much experience do you have? How long have you been a certified financial planner? Do you have references? What process do you follow when creating a plan for clients? These are the types of questions you should feel comfortable asking as you begin your search.

Note: if a financial planner is unwilling to answer your questions, it is best to move on. There are plenty of professionals who will do whatever they can to provide you with answers to all your questions, ensuring that you are comfortable moving forward.

With the guidance of these three tips, you will find it much easier to choose the right financial planner.