Today’s news that mystery shoppers have discovered poor investment advice in banks and building societies will leave many consumers confused about where to turn.

With 13% of bank advisers failing to offer even basic financial recommendations, if you are looking to make an investment, buy a financial product or plan for the longer term, you might be inclined, now more than ever, to see a financial adviser.

You can of course do many of these tasks yourself using free information and tools on websites like Money Advice Service and from organizations like Citizens Advice.

However, a financial adviser could be worth their weight in gold when it comes to more complex products.

Here are three ways to help you find the best investment advisor for your needs:

1. Ask for recommendations

Speaking to family and friends about who they use for their financial advice could cut down your search time dramatically. Ask what services the adviser has provided them in the past to make sure their recommendation matches your requirements.

2. Search newspapers, the phone directory and online

You will find advertisements for financial advisers in both local and national newspapers. Financial advisers are also listed in the telephone directories.

You could also look online using a search engine. If you can, check the website of any adviser you consider before you contact them, to make sure they offer the products and services you are looking for.

3. Use financial adviser websites

Several websites have searchable listings of financial advisers, like IFA Centre, Unbiased, Find an Advisor and VouchedFor. If you are looking specifically for a stockbroker or wealth manager you can also try APCIMS.

You can search for an adviser either in your local area or for one near your workplace. The listings will show you which products the adviser is able to advise on. VouchedFor also uses a recommendation system, where people rate advisers based on their experience.

If you have found an adviser you are thinking about using, the FSA advises checking its Register to ensure they are regulated and approved. If you use an adviser that is not approved by the FSA, you will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) if things go wrong.

Before your first meeting, it will help to prepare for some questions an adviser might ask you, especially if you want to invest some money.

Here are eight questions to consider:

1. Do you have any dependents, such as a partner or children?

2. How much money do you have to invest?

3. What products do you already have?

4. How long do you want to invest for?

5. What are your long-term aims and objectives?

6. What is your attitude to risk?

7. Are there any places you do not want your money invested?

8. How often do you want to review your investments?