From: Tad Borek 
Newsgroups: misc.invest.financial-plan
Subject: Re: I'm looking for a financial advisor.  How can I find a good one?
Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2006 18:43:48 -0500
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Gary wrote:
> I need financial advice...NOT what to invest in; rather whether to
> convert IRAs and 401Ks to Roth IRAs, etc.
> 
> How do I go about finding a good advisor in my area that can "run the
> numbers" and, hopefully, not soak me too much in the process?  What
> questions do I ask (about his/her qualifications)?  Whose
> recommendation do I ask for?

Gary,
If those are your specific questions you might consider going to a CPA, 
one who does this kind of tax planning. Ultimately these questions 
depend a great deal on your overall tax picture, your anticipated income 
in future years, etc etc. While many advisors give some kind of tax 
advice you might as well find someone for whom it's a specialty. I've 
seen some messed-up Roth analyses done by financial advisors who lacked 
a tax credential - two that come to mind were from a big-name wirehouse 
brokerage firm, and would have been expensive if not reversed.

If you can't get a referral, perhaps look up a directory of someone in 
your area with the "PFS" credential...those are CPAs with a 
financial-planning add-on credential. It's not required but could narrow 
the list of possible people to call.

-Tad