Step 2. The Background Check
There are a few places you can visit to conduct background checks of a financial planner or investment adviser.
Letsmakeaplan.org
You can verify a planner's certification as a CFP at this site. You can also see any information on the planner's disciplinary history with the CFP Board and on bankruptcy filings in the past 10 years.
Investor.gov
You can search an investment adviser's name at this site and click on "Detailed Report" to see information on qualifications, employment history, disciplinary actions by regulators, criminal convictions and other details.
Brokercheck.finra.org
You can search an individual's or a firm's name to get such details as years of experience, licensing, exam passed and regulatory actions.