Financial planning has almost become a must in today's society but a word to the wary, there are many companies and people who have become so called experts in financial planning, but how do you know which is the one for you? Don't be swept away by promises of greatness because no body can make any claims to your future without an in depth knowledge of your situation and finances. A true financial company will never promise anything and their credentials usually speak for themselves. But if you do happen to come across some financial planning companies and decide to speak to them, this article will show you how to choose the right one for you.

Firstly, let's not get confused by acronyms. You might get deluged with terms like CFP or ChFC or even CFA. Depending on the country it might just be a FA or a certified financial investment planner. I think the best way is to check the country you are in and what sorts of certificates are recognised by your local government, how much security you can expect by choosing a company that carries that certification and what policies and how much power a certain title has over financial matters, taxation laws, government managed personal funds and so on and so forth. Remember, this company will be the one you appoint to watch over your money and plan your life, so choose carefully and learn all you can about the background of the company.

Look out for independent ratings services, whether international or local. The Paladin Registry is a prime example of this sort of service that rates financial planners and companies against criteria like education, credentials, work experience and also looks at customer testimonials and rates them on a 5 -star scale. The internet is your friend here; look out for complaints against specific companies and repositories like ‘NoGoFA' in Japan and Asia list the good and bad about certain financial planning companies and their employees.

Also check with bodies like the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, especially if you are residing in the western continent and would like to find out more about financial planning. Most reliable and above level financial planning companies would be registered here because they would be subjected to rigorous checks and systems that ensure a high level of quality.

When you do speak to a company you have decided that meets your criteria, speak to them and make sure that they take the time to understand your problem. Vague promises and trying to hard sell you other services are red flags you must take notice of. A good financial planning company listens to their clients and tailor make programmes and fine tuned services so that it fits your individual needs. Also, some argue that it is also about instinct - if you feel there is something amiss and you can't trust your CFA, look elsewhere.

These are just some of the pointers to look out for, and when you do find one that can truly help you, you will be satisfied with the results because a competent financial planning company can do wonders to your money.