What we do:

Planning

fee-only Comprehensive Financial Planning relationships to design your strategy

Investments

custom investment strategies managed per your plan goals & risk tolerance

Tax

coordinated tax planning and preparation to work with your investments and financial plan

How we work:

It all starts with designing a comprehensive financial plan around your goals in life. This is what really sets us apart, we build custom financial plans for every client.  This plan will be your roadmap to help guide you toward making the best financial decisions to accomplish your goals. From there you decide if you would like us to help implement your plan with customized investment and tax strategies.  There is no pressure and no sales, we let every client choose the relationship that suits their needs.

Financial Planning Options depending on your stage in life:

GETTING STARTED PLAN

Ideal for young professionals in their 30's that are looking for an initial plan to help them make smart financial decisions early in life.

ENGAGEMENT

Cashflow / Budgeting
Net worth Projections
Cash Reserve Goals
Insurance Policy Overview
Understanding a Tax return
Basics of 401k / Roth / IRA / Brokerage
Selecting employer benefits
Understanding Investments and Wall Street Jargon
Basic Estate Plan overview

12 Month schedule – initial consultation, strategy session, plan review and mid-term review

PRIME FINANCIAL PLAN

Ideal for Mid Career ages 40's to early 50's looking for a comprehensive review of their overall financial strategy and to make sure they are tracking well for retirement

Engagement

Cashflow analysis
Net worth Projections
Cash Reserve Strategies
Insurance Planning
Tax Review
Retirement Analysis
Company Benefits / Equity Comp Review
Investment Recommendations
College Planning
Estate Plan Review

12 Month schedule – initial consultation, strategy session, plan review and mid-term review

RETIREMENT PLAN

Within a couple years of retirement - with a strong focus on retirement income strategies, distributions, social security timing and maximizing tax efficient distributions

ENGAGEMENT

Detailed Cashflow needs analysis
Networth Projections throughout retirement
Insurance Planning
Tax Review
Retirement Income Distribution Plan
Retirement Scenarios + Social Security strategy
Investment Recommendations
Estate Planning Strategy

12 Month schedule – initial consultation, strategy session, plan review and mid-term review

We offer 3 Relationships to choose from:

Planning Only:  Pick a Planning Engagement above

 

Annual Planning + Tax : Looking for a combo of annual plan updates and tax prep?  Once the initial planning engagement is complete we offer ongoing relationships if desired.

Planning + Investments + Tax:
WEALTH 360° our No Stress Retirementapproach

OUR PREMIERE RELATIONSHIP FOR BUSY FAMILIES

Are you looking for one advisor to act as your personal financial officer (CFO) to handle your investments, planning and tax prep? We bundle this full service relationship for clients looking for one key partner to manage their financial affairs.  We act as your personal CFO so that you can go enjoy your life, financially stress free.

The investment management fee covers proactive portfolio management, annual tax preparation and annual financial planning.
*Account minimums do apply

General Information about working together:

  • The initial meeting is complimentary. You decide if we are a good fit after our meeting.
  • After the initial planning process clients can choose to stay with just planning, upgrade to annual planning+tax retainer or engage with our Wealth 360° platform. While we like to form long term relationships it is always up to each client how they want to work together going forward.

Investment Management

What You Need to Know About Fee-Only Investment Management

What’s the difference between an Investment Advisor and a Broker?

» We act in the best interest of our clients at all times and don’t work on commissions or sales.
» We custody client accounts at Schwab Institutional and are assigned as a third party investment manager.
» We create index ETF portfolios for clients based on their risk tolerance, financial plan recommendations and cashflow needs.

Most importantly we believe in proactive investment management strategies and controlling risk.

Philosophy:

We take a personalized approach managing all investment portfolios directly so that we can customize and communicate strategy for each client.  Markets are dynamic and we believe investments should be responsive to change and monitored weekly. Strategies are grounded in long term trends, but adjusted for today’s markets. Above all else, risks are managed in each portfolio.

Why use us as your Investment Advisor?

The idea behind our strategy is to build a solid foundation using a Core Group of Investments and then layering in additional asset classes that typically outperform at different periods in the economic cycle. By utilizing low cost Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) we construct each client’s portfolio based on an agreed upon strategy that incorporates: risk tolerance, return objectives, financial plan goals and cashflow needs. (This is key, as we will not take on an investment client until there is a firm understanding through the planning analysis of how your money should be invested)

One of our key differences is that we take a proactive view in determining client investment strategy. We believe that clients hire an advisor to be proactive and to protect their money in difficult times just as well as helping them make decent returns during the good times. While we present an asset allocation model to each client and strive for that model, if the market dictates a change in strategy we proactively adjust.

Working with The Advisory Firm as your Investment Advisor:

  • As an Investment Advisor we assist you in setting up an account with the custodian we use to hold client assets, Schwab Institutional. You the client then assign us as the Investment Manager over the account. We don’t ever physically have possession of your assets.
  • We meet with you to develop an Investment Model that meets your objectives and once you approve the strategy we begin the investing process.
  • Schwab holds your accounts and will send you monthly statements along with providing online access to view your accounts.
  • As a client of The Advisory Firm we also set you up a personal secure web portal to view your accounts and track all of your financial info.
  • We maintain an open dialogue with clients via weekly emails to let you know current strategy, our views on the market and any changes that we are making to client accounts.
  • We are not paid on commission for investing money, rather an annual fee that is debited by 1/4 of the amount at the end of each quarter from your account.

Fee Schedule:

  • 1% annual fee on the first $1,000,000 in assets ($100,000 to $1,000,000)
  • .8% annual fee on the next $1,000,000 in assets ($1,000,001 to $2,000,000)
  • .6% annual fee on remaining assets over $2,000,000

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Financial Strategist vs. Financial Product Salesperson… who’s advising you?

Fee-only financial advisors have a fiduciary responsibility to always act in your best interest. This means they represent you and your interests when giving you advice.

A fee-only fiduciary financial advisor cannot receive commissions/compensation from a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, an insurance company, or from any other source than you.