Our Process

The first step is getting to know each other. We begin by discussing how we can work together to develop and implement your financial plan. We need to understand your financial situation, but we also want to help you define your goals. We start the process by understanding:

• What you are looking for in an advisor
• Your objectives and what could prevent you from achieving them
• The financial planning that you have completed at various times in your life
• Your current advisory relationships
• What keeps you up at night

This is your opportunity to get to know us as well. Ask us…

• How we are different from other firms in the industry
• To explain our financial planning process and fee schedule
• To describe our customer service model
• What experience and credentials we have to offer

The more detailed information we can obtain, the more customized and accurate your personal financial plan can be. We conduct a holistic review of your current estate, investment and business owner situation (if applicable.) Based on this information, we develop a comprehensive financial condition model of your current situation, including cash flow, tax reduction strategies and estate distribution projects. Highlights of this state include:

• Formalizing our working relationship
• Gathering appropriate financial data, objectives and risk tolerances
• Discussing and establishing goals
• Discussing attitudes, views and concerns

We analyze information gathered from the financial condition model to identify gaps and opportunities between your current financial planning and your objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance. This helps us determine to what level you are meeting your financial goals with your current strategy. This stage focuses on:

• Reviewing your data and assessing your status relative to goals, objectives and attitudes
• Analyzing and evaluating your current financial status
• Confirming and clarifying your data
• Preparing a preliminary plan
• “Trying-on” ideas, including key advisors, as needed, and refining recommendations

Based on your input and our analysis, we offer alternative strategies and identify strategies that are an appropriate fit for your personal situation, and most importantly, are consistent with your objectives. This stage – one of the most important in our process because it is where the financial planning takes shape – includes:

• Presenting a final plan document
• Answering questions
• Establishing an action plan

We present the specific recommendations that will help meet your needs, and discuss the pros, cons, risks and costs of each recommended alternative. This helps ensure that you will make an informed decision. Some aspects covered in this stage are:

• Coordinating with your other advisors
• Reviewing and recommending specific financial products necessary to implement the financial plan
• Assisting you in implementing the financial plan

Many factors can impact the viability of your financial plan in the future – a life event, unexpected expenses or income, a change in taxes, etc. We meet with you to check the status of the financial plan by comparing actual results to initial assumptions to determine if adjustments need to be made. This final stage of the process centers around the following:

• Analyzing ongoing issues
• Making adjustments as your situation changes
• Keeping your financial plan updated and current

Our Financial Planning and Advisory clients each have access to a customized, secure personal website to allow easy and efficient reviewing of their financial affairs at any time of the day or night, seven days a week.