WHAT TO EXPECT FROM OUR TEAM
Knowing what to expect from a financial relationship puts you in the driver’s seat – which is exactly where you belong. To get the most out of your experience with a financial planner, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the qualities of a true professional.
Below is a list of expectations you can rest assured will be met when working with us:
1. INTEGRITY
Trust is central to a successful financial planning relationship. You rely on your planner’s honesty, professionalism and abilities to achieve your goals. When you know your planner takes his professional obligations seriously and places principles over personal gain, you can form a good working partnership. CFP Board’s strict Standards of Professional Conduct are designed to ensure your CFP® professional acts in a professionally responsible manner. Other designations held by our staff require similar or more stringent code of ethics requirements in their disciplines.
2. OBJECTIVE ADVICE
Your needs will be at the heart of all your planner’s recommendations. A CPA/PFS and CFP® professional has an ethical obligation to act in your best interest when providing financial planning advice. Our planner’s will use their experience and judgment to carefully consider your situation, and then give you advice that best meets your goals. Sometimes this objectivity may require your planner to explain that your goals are unrealistic given your current resources and financial commitments.
3. COMPETENCE
CPA/PFS, PPC™ and CFP® professionals have demonstrated an appropriate level of knowledge to offer financial planning advice. The CPA/PFS, PPC™ & CFP® certification provides confidence that your financial planner has completed rigorous education and experience requirements—including continuing education coursework—designed to ensure competence in financial planning.
4. FAIR TREATMENT
Fair treatment means we will clearly state what services will be provided and at what cost. Your planner will also explain the risks associated with all financial recommendations, along with any potential conflicts of interest. Since we operate on a “fee-only” basis we have a very limited potential conflict of interest. We do not accept any direct or indirect financial compensation in your relationship unless explicitly disclosed to you. Ask you current advisor to do that or if they operate under the fiduciary standard.
5. PRIVACY
To get the best results from your financial planning relationship, you need to divulge relevant personal and financial information to your financial planner on a regular basis. Your professional will keep this information in confidence, only sharing it to conduct business on your behalf, at your consent or when ordered to do so by a court of law.
6. PROFESSIONALISM
Your professional will not provide investment advice or stock brokerage services unless he is properly qualified and licensed to do so, as required by state or federal law. If your situation requires expertise which your professional does not possess, he will suggest other professionals who may assist you.
7. DILIGENCE
Before engaging you as a client, we will discuss your goals and objectives and explain what you can expect from the relationship. Once your planner has determined that she (or her staff or network of related professionals) can assist you, the planner will make recommendations suitable for you. We have diligently reviewed the products or services we recommend and closely supervise any staff working with you.