A good financial advisor will

When looking for financial advice its best to do research and find the best company you can. It shouldn’t be a chore but something easy if you know what to look out for and what tells apart the good from the bad.
Some things to look out for when searching for an ideal reputable trustworthy financial advisor are;
-    First and foremost make sure they are regulated by the FSA (Financial Services Authority) This is a major thing to look out for as there are a lot of companies out there which are not. It is an extremely bad sign if they are not and the company could be a scam to get your money. The FSA deal with all things financial in the UK, whether it be for insurance, mortgages, retirement and pensions and many other things related.
-    Do a business check on whoever you are going to be dealing with, there are sites out there which allow you to check on how a business is working at the moment. Sites such as Better Business Bureau, Risk Disk and Companies house can give you some more information before you agree to anything.
-    Check references, customer testimonials or feedback from past clients. It may be that a friend or family member of yours has used a company you are considering, so it would be a good idea to get advice from them. Such as did it work for them, where they happy with the service, was it cost effective etc. If they are bad then usually words spread fast. Get opinions from as many sources as you can and this will also help you in your decision. You can also do checks with the local chamber of commerce offices to see who they would recommend to you.
-    When researching you will be speaking to a lot of advisors and it’s your job to ask all the questions you want answered. This will give you peace of mind in gaining knowledge about a company you may not have heard of before. Find out things such as what they encourage, whether it be debt free lifestyle, how they help you manage your money and finances and will they empathize with whatever situation you are in, and do they treat every single client according to their circumstances.
-    Find out prices, and be wary of those companies trying to get you to pay large amounts for services or want huge upfront payments before anything has even happened. After all you are obviously with them because of a financial situation and they should know this. Make sure you are happy to pay what they require and it is worth the service you are receiving.
-    Make sure they are willing to stay in touch regular to find out progress, how things are going and really treat you as personal as possible. If you need help they need to know what’s going on all the time so they are there to help and its hassle free. Once a month is suitable but if you need to contact those more often you need to know they are there and are willing to listen.
A good financial advisor will be genuinely pleased to help and not money focused, yes it will cost but in return you are receiving a service from them.