It is not surprising many of us treat independent financial advisers (IFAs) with the sort of wariness normally reserved for circling sharks.

Having smelled blood (money actually, but work with me on this metaphor), financial advisers have too regularly reacted with the sort of feeding frenzy normally reserved for our finned "friends".

The upshot of this has been a revolving door of mis-selling scandals, fines and bad press - sometimes undeserved - that has put many of us off seeking advice.

And it is a great shame.

A good IFA can be a godsend to your finances and peace of mind.

And there is no reason why you shouldn't have your own financial angel - after all there are plenty of good IFAs out there.

The secret is knowing how to find them.

Where do I start?

There is nothing like a recommendation.

All journeys start at home. And your search for an IFA should be no different.

Ask your family and friends if they have an IFA and what they think of them. Good IFAs get most of their clients by recommendation.

But don't take this advice as gospel. IFAs have been known to ask people, and even bully them, for recommendations.

Also if people don't know a lot about financial matters it is difficult for them to know if they are getting good advice. If you don't feel comfortable with an IFA, trust that feeling and walk away.

Where else can I get a recommendation?

Another good place to look for a recommendation is the press.

Newspapers, financial web-sites and programmes like Working Lunch, speak to IFAs almost every day of the week.

You can assume that because we know what we are talking about, at least most of the time, we also know when we are speaking to someone else that knows their stuff.

You will find most of the best IFAs often appear in the papers or on TV. It is just a matter of looking for frequently occurring names, then looking them up in the phone book.

The only reason that these people agree to give their time to the press is to drum up a bit of business. They will be happy to hear from you.

Is there anything else I can do?

There is another way to track down an IFA, and you don't even have to switch off your computer to do it.

A number of online services have been launched to help connect IFAs with clients.

You could try financial-search site, http://www.find.co.uk. This site has a section devoted to IFAs that includes a region by region guide.

Or you could try IFA Promotion, an IFA sponsored organisation, which uses your postcode to locate IFAs in your local area. Their web site is http://www.unbiased.co.uk or you can call them on 0800 0853250.

Both companies say that they screen their IFAs, but given that your first meeting will be a blind date, it could pay to be wary -- if you don't feel comfortable then trust that feeling and don't take them on.

What should I look for?

Before you meet with an IFA you should make sure they are kosher.

IFA checklist Are they registered with the FSA / PIA? Are they independent? How do they charge? How long have they been in business? Have they got their qualifications? Can they show you references?

They must be registered with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) or its subsidiary the Personal Investment Authority (PIA).

You can check if they are registered with the FSA by calling 0845 606 1234.

It is illegal for some one to sell financial advice without being registered. And what's more, if your IFA is not registered then you are not protected by the FSA's compensation and complaints procedures.

The next thing to find out is how much your chosen IFA plans to charge you.

Do this before you agree to meet as some will charge you for an initial meeting.

IFAs make money in two ways, either by charging you up front or by taking commission on the products they sell you.

Neither is necessarily better, though many people prefer to pay up front fees. This ensures that the IFA is acting in your best interest, not just selling you products to get their commission up.

Are there any questions I should ask them?

You should find out if your adviser is truly independent.

Some advisers are linked to companies, which means they can only recommend their products. This is hardly quality financial advice, as it means you will be missing out on most of the products on offer.

You should ask them how long they have been in business. Experience counts when it comes to IFAs.

You will also want to know that your adviser has the right qualifications to do a good job.

At the minimum this will mean they have their Financial Planning Certificate one, two and three.

The best advisers will also have passed their Advanced Planning Certificate. And, if you are looking for investment advice, ask if they have passed their Investment Advice Certificate.

Any last things?

Make sure you like your adviser.

You are going to share some pretty personal information with them. If they make you feel uncomfortable, chances are you are not going to go to them as often as you should or perhaps when you should.

If you want to find out a bit more about financial advice you should take a look at the consumer help section of the FSA's website: http://www.fsa.gov.uk.

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