Planning Process

Whether you are considering engaging a financial advisor to help you build, implement, and monitor a custom financial plan or just need help with one area of finance, we apply a thorough and consultative approach with those we serve. We use an established method during the financial planning process to better understand you, where you are at, and where you want to be. Depending on the nature and type of relationship, we may follow some or all of the following steps to better serve your needs:

Step 1: Discovery Meeting

During your initial meeting with our team, we will conduct a complimentary, no-obligation review of your current financial situation along with discussing any financial worries and goals you may have. This meeting is very interactive and conversational and provides a holistic perspective of the current path you are on. Along with discovering the intersection between your goals and strategies we can provide, we should both benefit from this meeting by knowing whether there is a positive connection and mutually beneficial reason to work together.

Step 2: Data Gathering & Organizing

Data gathering, although tedious, provides the foundation from which to build your financial plan. It also provides the opportunity for “financial house cleaning” which for most people has never been done or needs to be done periodically. The adage “you get out what you put in” also applies to financial planning and therefore requires assistance from you to provide us with complete and accurate information so we can better understand you, define your goals, and provide meaningful and accurate analysis and recommendations. You will have some homework initially but you will obtain more clarity and organization in the end as we help you review and organize all your account and financial statements; insurance policies; employee benefits; tax returns; wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents; social security and pension calculations; investment objectives and risk profiles; financial goals and values; and any other necessary financial documents.

Step 3: Strategy Meeting(s)

Because each plan is as unique as the individual, strategy meetings provide the opportunity for us to develop your selected plan design along with results from our research and analysis, answers to pressing questions, and discussions around the various options you may take to reach all of your financial goals. The number and focus of each strategy meeting depends upon the complexity and needs of each individual client. Strategy meetings may cover one or several of the various disciplines within the financial planning spectrum such as cash flow/management, insurance planning, retirement planning, investment planning, tax planning, and estate/legacy planning. 

Step 4: Plan Design

We then draft customized strategies designed to fit your needs of today while also preparing you for success tomorrow. Your financial plan will contain recommendations designed to meet your stated goals and objectives, supported by relevant financial reports and summaries. Keeping your best interests in mind, final plan designs are dependent upon your approval and will reflect the current and alternative plans presented to you throughout the strategy meetings and selected prior to plan delivery and implementation.

Step 5: Plan Implementation

Your plan will begin to take shape and create lasting value once it is executed. To assist in this critical process, we will provide a written action plan so that you and your other advisors can keep track of who and when these recommendations were completed. We will assist directly with many action items ourselves and provide referrals to other professionals when needed. As your financial advocate, we will help you coordinate with any additional members of your financial team to ensure total integration and plan execution.

Step 6: Monitor, Adjust, & Update

It is important to remember that a financial plan is not static but will need to be continuously monitored and adjusted as your life evolves. These periodic plan adjustments are designed to help keep you on track and prevent slowly drifting off course. Common circumstances which may require a plan update include the following: marriage; divorce; death or disability; birth of a child; change in income, employment, or benefits package; change in expenses or liabilities; major purchases; inheritance; home purchase; business start-up; economic or tax related concerns; investment under or over performance; change in risk tolerance or investment objectives; and change in charitable or gifting strategies to name a few. As your life changes so should your plan. We will communicate with you every step of the way and work diligently to ensure all areas of your plan meet your expectations.