Fees
We offer both fee-based planning and active asset management. That means we get paid for financial planning, not sales. We get compensated regardless of the options our clients choose. Sometimes the best choice for a client is external, so that may be the option we recommend. You never have to wonder if we are doing what is best for us or what is best for you. In this structure, they are always the same thing.
Fee-only planning
$2,500
Includes comprehensive financial planning and advice.
OR
Managed accounts
1%
of assets under management
Includes a managed portfolio and a comprehensive financial plan.
($250,000 household minimum to receive comprehensive plan benefit.)
Diversification
Diversification is a word that gets thrown around, but there are differences in its implementation.
We believe in not only diversifying your assets but your account types. We uniquely offer both managed financial accounts (i.e., a portfolio of managed stocks and bonds) and variable annuity options (i.e., insured income). Most planners or salespeople will offer only one or the other, but in reality, your investment type should match your personality, not a pushy salesperson’s next commission.
An observation:
I have respected colleagues offering either variable annuities or investment management products. I don’t personally know anyone who offers both, but other planners might adopt this strategy.
When I talk to planners with just one solution, they say all the alternatives are pointless. They have a bias against their competition. The truth is that there isn’t just one solution for everyone. After understanding your goals, risk tolerance, and personal preferences, I can recommend the best way to solve your problem.
Understanding client needs
We go beyond standard risk tolerance surveys in two ways. First, we have real conversations, not just an email survey to understand how a client might react to major market events. Second, we ask questions about the social impact of a client’s investments.
Responsible investing
Ethical investing and return: Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) is controversial. People have different beliefs about what those terms even mean at its core. There is no clear definition because each person has their priorities and beliefs. While not every portfolio can satisfy every need, our strategy tries to isolate what precisely you care about and prioritize those investments. Request a free assessment
Understanding risk
Generally, investments with higher risk have higher returns. While we strive for the best performance, our top priority is matching the client’s risk tolerance with their investments.
Taxes
Tax strategy
Robert Persichitte, CPA, CFP®, CFE has over eight years of experience. His unique skill set combines extensive knowledge of taxes with financial modeling.
He considers both today and the future when providing tax planning advice. He helps with your current tax planning strategy by using the tax code to help minimize your impact and seeing the strategy to completion on your return.
He plans for the future by monitoring changes in the tax code and thinking of your future taxes.
A good tax strategy can help to minimize the taxes you pay over your lifetime.
A tax parable
We sometimes prepare tax returns for people who are not financial planning clients. In one instance, we prepared a tax return for a client with a non-CPA financial planner.
Long story short, the non-CPA gave her some bad advice. The non-CPA suggested the client break some 401(k) rules. (Here is the rule for curious tax nerds.) The consequence is that the client would have to pay taxes twice on the same money plus some penalties.
Fortunately, we caught the mistake and helped the client fix it with minimal impact on her taxes.
Tax planning strategies are apparent once they get entered into a tax return. We don’t just learn theoretical strategies; we see the strategy through to the tax return.