Financial Planning

If you ask 10 people to define financial planning, you’re likely to get 10 different answers. For the sake of mutual understanding, we’ve defined financial planning as the practice of understanding what a client wants to achieve during their lifetime and helping them make informed decisions to get there. The CFP^® Board adds to this definition, saying it’s a “collaborative process with the client that contains all relevant aspects of a client’s personal and financial circumstances, not just how much money is under management.”

Source: LPL Financial

"As a team, our goal is for all of our clients to become financially secure."

-Theresa Curry, Client Services Manager

The Planning Process

We are a team of fiduciaries bound both legally and ethically to act in the client's best interests, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust. This relationship is one in which the consultative functions of learning the client's goals, developing a successful and long-term working relationship, and providing recommendations regarding the array of investment vehicles are practiced, as opposed to the old product sales-oriented approach.

Step One: <strong>Data Gathering</strong>

Step One: Data Gathering

The first step is a logical one—finding out through a detailed discovery process where you are today, financially speaking, and where you want to be in the future. We understand that trust is not freely given; and that it must be earned. We build the initial trust by taking the time to ask questions that will uncover your values, goals, interests, resources, and important relationships to create a tailored financial plan.

Step Two: <strong>Establishing Financial Goals</strong>

Step Two: Establishing Financial Goals

The next step is to dive deeper into your financial life and categorize your lifelong hopes and dreams into several primary goals. If clear and realistic goals are set, the behaviors that lead to the realization of those goals can be undertaken.

Step Three: <strong>Analyzing Information</strong>

Step Three: Analyzing Information

Each of the previous steps - gathering data and helping the client to establish specific and time-bound goals - provides us with raw, unprocessed information that represents the ingredients of an eventual set of investment recommendations. After we have gathered the data and established goals then we review and analyze the data to determine if you are likely to reach your goals based on your current course.

Step Four: <strong>Making and Implementing Recommendations</strong>

Step Four: Making and Implementing Recommendations

Making and implementing actual investment recommendations is generally at the heart of what you expect from an investment professional. Once we've analyzed your current situation, presented you with recommendations, and have recieved buy-in, the next step is to implement the strategies that we've presented.

Step Five: <strong>Monitoring Performance</strong>

Step Five: Monitoring Performance

Financial planning doesn’t end with implementation. To continue to build the relationship and expand value, it’s important to come back to the goal conversation during regular—at least annual—reviews.

Source: College For Financial Planning

Interested to See if You Will Retire On Time?

Please fill out the form below and we will reach out to you in a timely fashion to schedule an introductory meeting. As a token of our gratitude, you will receive a complimentary ebook. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19)'s effects on the financial markets have caused many people to question their investment strategy. Use this ebook to stay focused on your investment goals during challenging times.