These days there are plenty of tools to help you tackle the prospect of investment management on your own. However, unless you have a strong background in finance, you might not feel comfortable going it alone.

Think of it this way. Just because you can drive a car doesn’t mean you’re qualified to diagnose that clunking sound under the hood and fix it. Instead you go to a professional mechanic.

By the same token, just because you earn enough money to enjoy a disposable income doesn’t mean you have the first idea how to properly invest. It is for this reason that you should hire a reputable investment consultant to do the heavy lifting for you.

Naturally, you’ll want to do your homework and find a professional that best suits your wants and needs. This starts by understanding what you should reasonably expect from your average (or above-average) investment consultant. Here are a few things to look for when seeking investment planning services.

Diverse Experience

You should definitely look for an investment consultant that has at least a few years of experience. You should also seek someone who can claim a diverse financial background.

Since your investments interests could take many forms, having a professional advisor that has at least dabbled in a variety of investment options could give you the best opportunity to find the investments that suit your particular needs.

Personalized Strategies

You probably have both short-term and long-term goals when it comes to investing. You may have questions and concerns about balancing risk and reward. You’re almost certainly in need of advice when it comes to new investment opportunities.

You need an investment consultant that will do more than wax ecstatic about the latest and greatest annuities (which aren’t a good fit for many investors anyway). You should look for a specialist in wealth management in San Francisco, L.A., or NYC that listens as much as he/she speaks. This professional can help to create a personalized investment strategy that’s right for you, instead of pushing an agenda aimed at pleasing the crowd.

A Fiduciary

It’s important to understand that not all financial service providers are fiduciaries. What is a fiduciary? Put simply, he or she is a financial consultant, advisor, planner, or other professional that is legally bound to put your best interests first (ahead of his or her own).

Did you know that many financial propositions provide benefits to those who sell them to consumers? If you contract with a fiduciary, such benefits can play no role in the way your consultant advises you. He or she must act in your best interest at all times, regardless of personal benefits.