Get to Know How We Work
We have developed a six-step financial planning process that allows us to build plans for our clients that are unique to them and allow them to focus on what is truly important in their life.
Our process allows people to understand the financial implication of any decision they make so they can see the actual impact.
As a fiduciary for our clients, we are required to act in their best interest in any recommendations we make. This is something we take very seriously.
Learn about you
The first step of our financial planning process is to learn about you and your family. This typically includes discussion around your current work goals, your desired retirement timing, your desired retirement lifestyle, and what is important to you from a legacy perspective.
What is important to you and what are you trying to accomplish in your life? This step allows us to make sure your financial plan is unique to you and your specific situation.
Understanding your needs
Once we understand what is important to you and what you are trying to accomplish, we need to look at what you are doing currently to reach those goals. This step includes a deep dive into your current assets and liabilities, cash flow, asset allocation, risk management structure, and any income tax planning you have done.
In this part of the process, we also develop a thorough understanding of the available benefits to you from your current employer and uncover any benefits that may be applicable from any former employers. It is imperative that we have current reliable data in order to properly assess where you are headed.
Analyzing your situation
Our team uses state of the art financial planning software and tools to analyze the data we have gathered that is specific to you. Where necessary, we will lean on outside experts in areas such as income tax planning and estate planning. Ultimately, we will show you where you are headed based on your current plan and the likelihood of success.
Creating a plan for you
Typically, there are changes that are needed in what you are doing today. We can quantify the reasoning behind any recommendations, so you understand the why behind what we are suggesting. By example, if there are specific tax planning strategies we are recommending, we can show you the impact making the changes will have on the plan. If there are changes, we recommend in your investment strategy, we can show you how those changes will make things better for you.
Helping you adapt
Without question, the most important step in your financial plan is to implement the agreed upon changes. Often, advisors will make recommendations and leave it to the client to implement the recommendations. We have seen that approach results in things falling through the cracks. Our process ensures that all agreed upon recommendations are implemented whether we are directly involved in the implementation or not.
Upgrading your future
Once we understand what is important to you and what you are trying to accomplish, we need to look at what you are doing currently to reach those goals. This step includes a deep dive into your current assets and liabilities, cash flow, asset allocation, risk management structure, and any income tax planning you have done.
In this part of the process, we also develop a thorough understanding of the available benefits to you from your current employer and uncover any benefits that may be applicable from any former employers. It is imperative that we have current reliable data in order to properly assess where you are headed.