|
|
Services
At Pinnacle Financial Concepts, Inc., we feel that the most effective advisory relationship looks
closely at the various pieces that compose each client's financial picture. This includes the following
areas:
|
- Tax Planning
- Individual Income Tax Return Preparation
- Retirement Planning
- Review of Insurance Coverage and Needs
- Estate Planning - Will and Health Power of Attorney
- Investment Portfolio Review
- Budgeting and Record Keeping
- Goal Setting
- Asset Allocation and Investment Implementation
- General Financial Planning
- Coaching
|
Tax Advice
Many individuals feel that taxes are a major issue over which they have no control and of which
they have very little understanding. We help them plan for their taxes throughout the year, not just
during tax season. This is done through an understanding of the deductions and other tax savings
available to them and establishing record keeping systems that help track and maximize legal methods of
lowering taxes. We prepare the individual return for many clients. For clients who have a competent
tax preparer, we work with that professional to ensure that proper records are kept and all pertinent
information makes it to the final return. (We do not prepare taxes for individuals who are not
comprehensive service clients.)
Financial Planning
Goal setting is an important part of the financial planning process. It involves quantifying near
term as well as long term goals - deciding what they are, what they will cost, and how to save for them.
Perhaps more importantly, the goal setting process gives shape to the quality of life those goals
provide. Seeing this clearly keeps clients motivated to reach their goals and helps keep us focused on
what's truly important.
An important goal for many clients is retirement. Often people say they want to work until the day
they die, which is fine if that's what they enjoy. There is, however, a huge difference in working your
entire life because you enjoy work, and working your entire life because you can't afford to stop
working. Largely for this reason, we prefer to think of this aspect of planning as identifying when the
client is financially independent. We look at what the client plans to spend when they're financially
independent and when they'd like to reach independence. We then analyze how to balance their regular
savings, debt reduction, and investment risk to work toward achieving that goal. We also compare
retirement goals to other major goals, such as education for children and improving their current
lifestyle. This analysis is developed individually for each client.
Most people have never received advice on insurance unless it was from someone who wanted to sell
them insurance. At Pinnacle Financial Concepts, Inc., we review insurance coverage for our clients'
home, vehicles, health benefits, life, long term care, and any other risk they may have. Because we don't
sell insurance or receive referral fees, our clients can be comfortable that any needs we identify are
unrelated to compensation to us. Often we can identify coverage that is unnecessary, allowing our
clients to save money.
We also help our clients think through the estate plan. This involves deciding whom assets go to at
the client's death. We also work with our clients to reduce estate taxes and probate costs when
possible.
Investment Counseling
At Pinnacle Financial Concepts, Inc., we believe in investing, not speculating. We feel that a well
balanced approach to investing includes a diversity of types of investments, including some of the less
exciting asset classes like bonds and cash equivalents. Diversity, along with good quality criteria in
choosing investments, helps to reduce risk and makes achieving goals more feasible. We use no load
mutual funds and discount brokerage accounts to implement our investment recommendations. No
commissions, referral fees, or wrap fees are paid to us by any outside companies for the
recommendations we make to our clients.
Coaching
Coaching is offered as an independent service.
The coaching process assists clients in setting and reaching personal and professional goals.
This process helps individuals get past self-generated impediments to fulfilling their desires.
Appointments are generally held by phone with e-mail follow up. Fees and scheduling are based on
individual circumstances. A minimum commitment of three months is required.
Long Term Relationships
At Pinnacle Financial Concepts, Inc., we strongly believe that ongoing service is key for most
clients. Everyone's needs change as their life progresses. For a Client to assume that their plan is
appropriate for all of their life, despite these normal changes, is foolhardy. Our lifelong
relationship with clients enables us to help them through the financial transitions in their life.
We know that no plan can anticipate every contingency in a person's life and that's why a continuing
relationship is vital to each client's financial well being. It is our job to get to know you well
enough to help you achieve what is important to you personally. This enables us to have lifelong
relationships built on trust and the desires of our clients.
|
|