Choosing a financial advisor can be a daunting task, especially if you're new to investing. Start by figuring out your financial goals and ask potential candidates about their qualifications, education, and experience. You can use FINRA's BrokerCheck to verify their professional credentials and work history. There are several types of financial advisors, including investment advisors, broker-dealers, portfolio managers, and certified financial planners. It's important to find an advisor whose area of expertise aligns with your needs. When looking for a financial advisor, consider their approach to investing and communication style. Some advisors may have a conflict of interest if they earn a commission on the financial products they sell, while fee-based advisors are generally considered to be more objective. With more Americans seeking to work with financial advisors, it's crucial to dramatically grow the advisor population to meet the growing demand for financial planning in traditional and underserved markets. While technology is helpful, financial planning is still a people business, and we need more advisors serving more types of clients to bridge the gap and help more people build their wealth through planful investing.