Our Financial Planning Process

Our primary goal is to clearly understand what is most important to you and to customize strategies for your individual situation.  To help you achieve success, we provide a disciplined process through fee based financial planning. We work with your existing advisors including your attorney and CPA to make sure that your plan is coordinated. We will assist you in implementing your plan using a wide range of strategies including independent money managers, fee based investment accounts, mutual funds, annuities, stocks and bonds. If philanthropy is an important aspect of your plan, we will explore a range of charitable ideas that can help you to leverage the tax and other advantages of giving.  We have relationships with firms that offer administration of charitable foundations to create simplified turnkey administration of your charitable plan.

Step One: Initial Interview

Discuss our services
Go over your financial history and goals for the future
Secure basic documents (click here for a document checklist)
Commit to working together

Step Two: Engagement and Data Collection

Formalize working relationship, sign contract (Can be combined with Step One)
Gather appropriate financial data, objectives, and risk tolerance
Discuss your mission statement
Review your attitudes, views, and concerns about money
Secure all documentation
Review other current advisors (CPA, attorney, etc.)
Determine meeting frequency and optimal communication style

Step Three: Plan Design

Establish a secure financial planning website and link accounts
Analyze and summarize current documents as they impact your plan
Create an initial summary of your current situation
Clarify and verify data
Develop ideas and concepts for your review and feedback
Identify preliminary recommendations
Discuss plan and evaluate your options
Verify planning priorities (estate, business succession, investments)

Step Four: Plan Presentation

Present our design ideas
Evaluate your alternatives
Discuss tax reduction strategies
Make specific recommendations
Deliver written or email financial plan
Establish action plan and time frame
Schedule a series of follow-up meetings with all necessary advisors

Step Five: Implementation

Implement Investment Policy Statement
Balance tax efficiency, asset purchases, and asset preservation with appropriate legal documents
Discuss and secure feedback on insurance solutions
Recommend specific products to meet your needs and coordinate strategic options
Schedule and manage implementation list with your attorney and CPA

Step Six: Annual Review and Ongoing Service

Identify current concerns
Acknowledge the progress you have made
Review what is new in your financial life
Take planning to the next level and address open items
Discuss periodic updates and assumptions
Renew planning contract
Other items to cover

We charge a flat financial planning fee to cover the input, design and educational process of your plan. The plan is renewable on an annual basis. Your information is kept confidential.