Before the widespread adoption of the internet, one of the primary characteristics that set an Investment Advisor apart was their access to information. You went to an Investment Advisor for financial insight beyond what was available in the business pages and for the quick execution of trades.

 

The internet changed things.

 

Company information is now widely available and instantly accessible with a quick Google search (or, soon enough, Chat GPT query). The ability to synthesize that information, and discern good information from bad, is still an important service provided by an Investment Advisor, but the days of the investment industry being the gatekeepers of financial information are past. Similarly, there are trading platforms available today that didn’t exist 20 or 30 years ago. While an Advisor is still the best place to go for trading advice and execution, they are no longer the only place to go for these services.

 

As our world has evolved over the past few decades, so has the role of an Investment Advisor. While Advisors are still a valuable source of investment expertise and advice, our roles have expanded to help you navigate all of your wealth management needs. Investment planning, financial planning, retirement planning, estate planning, business transition planning, education planning, tax planning … each of these represent important segments of a larger whole. It is our job to ensure that each segment is reviewed, optimized and consolidated into your overall Wealth Plan to help you meet (and exceed) your financial, familial and lifestyle goals.  

 

What You Can Expect

 

Our wealth planning process is integrated into our client experience. As part of our initial discussion we will review your short and long-term financial planning needs, as well as engage in conversations around your investment objectives and expectations. Our investment recommendations will reflect the goals outlined as part of the planning process, and will be presented within the context of your overall Wealth Plan. Topics that can be discussed at this point include (but are not limited to):

 

• Asset allocation strategies to minimize the tax considerations of your investment portfolio.

• Strategies to meet long-term goals like retirement or buying a home.

• Ensuring your investment portfolio aligns with your values (see our post on Responsible Investing for more details on this).

• How to draw income tax-efficiently in retirement.

• Considerations around your estate plan and passing assets to the next generation.

• How to minimize taxes to your estate.

• The use of trusts as an estate planning tool.

• When and if to explore the use of insurance in your estate plan.

• Accessing the funds held in your corporation or holding company.

• Charitable giving strategies.

• The implications of owning a secondary residence (such as the family cottage), particularly if the goal is to pass this along to the next generation.

 

Our objective is to ensure that you come away from the proposal meeting with an understanding of the investment strategies being recommended, the planning items we have identified for further review and a roadmap that shows how all of these things will fit together. As we continue to work together, we will periodically update your plan to reflect the reality that life rarely proceeds as expected.

 

What Comes Next

 

To get started building your Wealth Plan, contact us for an introductory review and discussion. These consultations are cost-free and carry no obligation. We will review your current financial situation and provide our roadmap for moving forward. If you like what you see, and we think you will, we will begin the process of securing your financial future.