References
The Right Way to Hire Financial Help
by Charles A. Jaffe
Publisher: MIT Press
Smart Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisers (Bloomberg Personal Bookshelf)
by Lynn Brenner
Publisher: Berkeley Publishing
Consumer Information from the Federal Government
The quarterly Consumer Information Center Catalog lists more than 200 helpful federal publications. For your free copy, write: Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, call 1-888-8-PUEBLO, or visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov.
Professional Associations
The following organizations can provide referrals to financial planners in your community:
Financial Planning Association
1-800-322-4237
www.fpanet.org
National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
1-800-366-2732
(Membership consists of fee-only planners.)
www.napfa.org
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
1-888-777-7077
www.aicpa.org
American Society of Financial Service Professionals
1-800-392-6900
www.financialpro.org
Helpful Links
Creating a Budget
Before you consult a financial advisor, you may want to first have a budget. Our resources on creating a budget can help you get your financial house in order.
Financial Planning Online
This site (membership is free) has a resource area with discussion groups, expert forums, and daily news to help you make educated choices in your financial future.
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
The NAIC website features consumer information and tips about insurance. There is also a listing of state insurance commissioners.
Securities & Exchange Commission
While this site is light on information to help you choose a financial professional, there is a section where you can submit complaints about any security related issue, whether it be a scam or you feel that your financial professional violated securities law. You can also download annual and quarterly reports for all publicly traded companies.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
Formerly the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). Protection for you, the investor. FINRA oversees the activities of over 5,400 securities firms, with more than 58,000 branch offices, and in excess of 505,000 registered securities professionals. Visit the FINRA website for information about financial professionals, lodge a complaint or resolve a dispute, and for investor information.
