FAQs
A Certified Financial Planner™ is a type of financial advisor who has achieved one of the most rigorous certifications of financial planning as set forth and monitored by the Certified Financial PlannerTM board. In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree or higher, they must also pass a Certified Financial Planner board exam, meet an experience requirement, participate in ongoing education, and adhere to a strict ethical standard. This includes acting as a fiduciary — a professional that is required by law to act in their client’s best interest.
We start with a conversation to determine if we’re a ‘good fit’ for you. Sometimes what you’re looking for and what we excel at doing aren’t on the same page. Finding a ‘good fit’ advisor for the future is the most important decision you will make, and we want you to find the right person, even if it’s not us.
The short answer is No. However, if you are a successful entrepreneur or executive, you understand how much more you can accomplish and influence through delegating projects or tasks –especially when it may not be something you love doing or are an expert in, which is how we view working with an advisor. Working with an advisor is a strategic delegation to help you get somewhere you may have never gotten on your own. Many people or families don’t NEED an advisor but rather CHOOSE to delegate this area of life to an expert so they can focus more on their unique abilities and what gives them joy.
Like many hardworking families, you’ve focused more on making and saving money for the future and not so much on what to do with it now that you have it. The question is: What now? We’d like to think that the question should be changed from “what do I do and how?” to a ‘who’ question as in “who” can I find that has the skill set to help be a guide to simplify this area of life or be the person you delegate these complexities to.
Ask yourself a few questions:
- How confident are you your current team understands your biggest priorities today?
- How confident are you that you won’t run out of money in retirement?
- How satisfied are you with the level of communication & connection you have with your current team?
- Does your financial team review your tax return and estate plan annually? on file?
- Do you have an integrated plan that factors in the financial, tax and estate priorities that you have?
If your answers don’t excite you, getting clarity about your future may be the best thing you do all year.
Whether it’s a new pair of shoes, how you feel in a new car, or even a new doctor, finding a good fit is not always easy. Through the years of leading and coaching successful families, we’ve come to realize key characteristics in our most enduring relationships:
- They live life based on clear values like honesty, hard work, persistence, and humility to name a few.
- They know the value of a dollar and understand true wealth is more than just numbers on a balance sheet.
- They know what they do well and strategically delegate to specialists what they don’t do well or don’t want to do.
First, know that you are not alone. This question is the most asked of any. However, the answer is always different based on what your priorities are today and, importantly, the understanding that priorities are constantly changing. Stress testing your plan is the best way to discover if you are doing the right thing. If you’ve never had your plan stress tested, we can help! Better to find out if there are any small issues before they turn into bigger ones.
Ask yourself a few questions:
- How confident are you your current team understands your biggest priorities today?
- How confident are you that you won’t run out of money in retirement?
- How satisfied are you with the level of communication & connection you have with your current team?
- Does your financial team review your tax return and estate plan annually? on file?
- Do you have an integrated plan that factors in the financial, tax and estate priorities that you have?
If your answers don’t excite you, getting clarity about your future may be the best thing you do all year.
