Choose a few close to you and give them a call. Explain what you need and ask if they can help you. This is important because some advisers specialise in certain sectors of the market. For example, one may specialise in group investment schemes, another may only deal with clients who have a million or more to invest.

Another way is to ask friends and family if they have an adviser they can recommend.

If you have an investment with a financial services company but have lost touch with the original adviser, give them a call and ask them to recommend an alternative.

A relationship with a financial adviser is generally a long term one, so don?t feel bad if you go for a meeting and you feel there is no rapport. You need to feel comfortable with your adviser, so it?s important that there is a suitable fit. When you set up a meeting for the first time explain to them that you will be interviewing a few others before you make your final choice.

Read up on personal finances

It would be of huge benefit if you do some reading beforehand to familiarise yourself with the terminology of the financial services world. Even more importantly, if the adviser uses a word or term you are unfamiliar with, ask for an explanation. Make a habit of reading the personal wealth pages in your favourite publications or online to keep up to date with trends.

Once you have selected an adviser tell them everything, even if you gamble 20 percent of your income each month; this will have a significant effect on your plan.

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