A REALLY talented financial adviser is an incredible asset. But a bad or even mediocre planner is going to create a mess for you and put your financial security at risk.

Here are some important 'first impressions' to look for:

Someone who has you go to her office. If she comes to you, it's a sign she has too much time on her hands.

If you live with a spouse or partner, a good financial planner will ask that both of you attend any meetings.

The planner's job is to truly understand the total financial situation of your household, which means she should want to be familiar with the needs, wants and risks of you both - individually and as a couple.

A clean office/desk. A planner who isn't organised isn't the right person to handle your money.

A planner who works on a fee-only basis. Advisers should not make a penny off of commissions from investments they recommend you make.

You can't trust someone who makes her living based on how often you buy and sell investments.

Before a planner tells you what to invest in, she should have talked to you about:

1. Whether you have any debt other than a mortgage, such as credit card debt, student loan debt and so forth.

2. Whether you anticipate needing to provide financial assistance to your parents during their retirement, and/or receiving an inheritance from them.

3. Your plans for a family, especially whether you intend to send your children to private school and to what extent you intend to finance their college education.

4. Whether you rent or own a home and what your goals in this area are. Do you want to trade up to a bigger place or different neighbourhood or downsize?

5. Your life insurance needs, if anyone is dependent on your income.

6. Retirement investments you already have.

This article was first published in The New Paper on September 8, 2008.