Another group, the Financial Planning Association, offers referrals to CFPS, regardless of whether they take sales commissions (which most do).

FORBES: Got To Have A Plan

Samantha Vient, one of the CFPs with LearnVest Planning, recently clued us into something big that could impact you personally: the dreaded fiscal cliff.

FORBES: 11 Tax Moves To Make Before The End Of The Year

You can run a planner's name through the CFPs' Web site and find out if he or she has been "publicly disciplined" by the accrediting organization.

FORBES: Got To Have A Plan

While traditionally most CFPs have worked outside of big firms, Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch (nyse: MER - news - people ) are now encouraging their own brokers to earn CFP credentials, too.

FORBES: Got To Have A Plan