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Personalized Financial Plan Investment Philosophy Reporting Education Coordination with Other Professionals	Personal Contact Income Tax Reduction Business Owners Investment Monitoring

Personalized Financial Plan  [back to top]

When meeting with a client, my aim is to listen. I focus on understanding their financial goals, as well as gathering background information from them about their current financial situation - for example their income, pensions, assets, liabilities, etc. Then I analyze the data and prepare a written personalized plan. Topics covered may include tax reduction, investments, debt restructuring, insurance, retirement, and estate planning, depending on the individual's needs.

At a subsequent meeting or meetings, the analysis, alternatives and recommendations are presented, and the client is free to accept, modify or reject them. The client makes the final decisions. Financial planning is a process, not an event, and therefore the plan is monitored and adjusted as necessary.

Investment Philosophy   [back to top]

My goal is to use conservative investments to achieve an above average after-tax rate of return over the long term for all my clients. In deciding which mutual funds to use, I look closely at the individual mutual fund manager. I choose a small number of fund managers from a number of well-established mutual fund companies. Each manager must have a proven track record of at least ten years, be passionate about their investment style and unwavering in the face of day-to-day market fluctuations.

I favor value style investing in well-managed growth companies with a history of profits, and I have studied Warren Buffett's investment methods for many years. I prefer not to use any investment that is considered high risk or speculative, including emerging markets investments. I like to speak personally with the mutual fund managers from time to time to get a firsthand impression of their investment strategy.

Reporting    [back to top]

An official statement showing all of a client's investment holdings is mailed to the client automatically, every quarter. As well, a Portfolio Review can be produced anytime on request, and mailed or faxed to the client that same day.

The format of the statement is explained in person to each new client to avoid confusion. A follow up telephone call is made to explain in detail the first statement sent to a client.

Education    [back to top]

As a firm believer in ongoing professional development I take one or more courses each year to keep up to date on technical matters. It is mandatory that every Certified Financial Planner™ complete at least 30 hours of professional education each year in order to maintain their CFP™ license.

Education of clients helps them to make better decisions. My regular newsletter contains educational material of benefit to clients and a free subscription is given to all clients. From time to time I offer clients the opportunity to attend workshops, sometimes presented by guest speakers such as accountants, lawyers or out-of-town investment professionals. As well I maintain a personal library of high quality books on personal finance, available to any client who wishes to borrow them.

Coordination with Other Professionals    [back to top]

As a Financial Planner, I coordinate the activities of the client's existing advisors such as tax accountants and estate planning lawyers. If necessary, I also have a number of accountants and lawyers available who would be happy to assist any of my clients who do not already have an accountant or lawyer.

Personal Contact   [back to top]

Exceptional response time to client phone calls is important. I have a direct line available for all clients, and an assistant is available for those times when a client calls and I am already meeting with another client. My assistant or I return all phone messages the same day.

Face-to-face discussions are important. I meet personally with each client at least once annually and more often if necessary. Telephone calls to clients are made on an ongoing basis throughout the year, and I welcome telephone calls from clients. When unusual events occur such as settling an estate, a marriage breakdown, a job loss, etc, a number of meetings will be held until all issues get resolved to the client's satisfaction.

Income Tax Reduction   [back to top]

Tax reduction and tax deferral are critical in any financial plan. I focus on after-tax rate of return. I also look not just at this year's tax bill, but the impact of the financial plan on the future tax bills.

Business Owners    [back to top]

The personal and business issues of business owners are so closely linked that every personal financial decision involves a business consideration. I will work very closely with the accountant of the business to ensure thorough and consistent treatment of the financial planning matters of the business owner.

Investment Monitoring    [back to top]

Client investments are monitored on an ongoing basis. Although I read daily financial newspapers as well as on-line information services and several monthly/bimonthly publications, my investment decisions are not based on sensational headlines or newscasts. This helps eliminate emotion from influencing what in reality must be a business decision - how best to invest your hard-earned savings.

I do take advantage of opportunities that arise as a result of fundamental business and economic changes. I also make adjustments if required by changes in a client's personal situation.