Manage your personal finances

How to assemble a financial team to help

If you are overwhelmed by putting together your financial goals and plans, you may decide to assemble a trusted financial team. Working with one or more of these financial professionals can help put the pieces in place, so that you can meet your goals and plan for the future.

Tax advisor
Tax advisors provide tax advice and assistance to consumers. Tax advisors can help you to navigate tax laws, prepare complete and accurate returns, and develop a strategic tax plan. While consumers can file their own taxes, many consumers benefit from hiring a tax professional who is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 
 
Credit counselor
Credit counselors help consumers develop a plan to tackle debt. They can also help you create a spending plan. Credit counselors advocate smart consumerism and believe strongly in the value of saving. You should contact a credit counselor at the first sign that your debts are becoming unmanageable. When you visit with a trained counselor there is no obligation and the initial appointment is free. 

Financial planner
Financial planners are professionals who offer investment advice. A financial planner may also be able to help by analyzing employee benefits, discovering insurance needs, and developing a system to manage cash flow. By hiring a fee-only personal financial planner, you can be guaranteed the planner isn’t getting commissions for recommending specific products.

Lawyer
Lawyers can help consumers by preparing wills as well as other important legal documents. An attorney can also be very helpful if you need to consider bankruptcy. Couples facing a complicated divorce can also benefit from an attorney’s advice. Lawyers can assist consumers when a violation of the law has occurred. For example, if you feel that a creditor has violated the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), a lawyer may be able to help.

Before working with any financial professional, be sure to check their credentials. You may choose to ask your friends and family if they have any trusted financial partners that they recommend. Ask specific questions about their history and areas of expertise. Finally, be sure that you are comfortable with the advisors you choose; ideally, you will be financial partners for life.