Financial Planning
Why a Financial Plan?
Without a comprehensive financial plan, you are most likely winging your financial future.
Without a comprehensive financial plan, you will most likely end up with a hodgepodge of financial products and retirement accounts.
You need to approach finances strategically. Every asset and dollar needs to have a purpose and working towards your goals.
A financial plan puts it all together in a clear and concise way to ensure your financial success.
Benefits of a Financial Planner
You benefit from our 17 years of financial planning knowledge and experience.
We strategically look at all your finances in a comprehensive way.
We make sure you avoid common financial mistakes, expensive financial products, and emotional decisions.
We educate you. We empower you. We plan for 20 to 40 years in the future; not just for today.
Better sleep at night knowing you are addressing all your financial needs.
Pricing
Clients have the option to pay hourly ($175 per hour) or a flat fee based on the scope of services. The average hourly client spends 4 to 6 hours on financial planning services.
Investment Management clients pay a percentage of assets under management (AUM) and the fee includes comprehensive financial planning services.
Process
Step 1. Get to Know You Appointment and Establish the Relationship
Step 2. Financial Planning Discovery Process with Access to Online Financial Planning Sofware
Step 3. Discuss Recommendations, Execution, and Plan Delivery
Step 4. On-going Planning, Review, and Accountability Meetings
Our goal is to make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed regarding your financial affairs.
Investment Management
Investment strategies tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
Continuous review of your investment portfolio, rebalancing, tax harvesting, and tax minimization.
Our focus is not on timing the market, but on crafting a long-term strategy to minimize risk and maximize your returns.
Our investment strategies are based on academic research and evidence-based.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between financial planning and Investment Management?
What is fiduciary responsibility and why is it important?
A financial professional who has a fiduciary responsibility to you must put your needs and interests ahead of their own. While stockbrokers and insurance agents are regulated and licensed, they do not have a fiduciary responsibility to you. The recommendations that stockbrokers and insurance agents make must only meet a “suitability standard.” In other words, suitable investments only have to be “good enough” to suit their needs and not necessarily the best possible investment an advisor could find.
What should I expect in the financial planning process?
Our process begins with a “get acquainted” meeting. We want to know about your personal goals, your values and concerns, your dreams, and your past financial experiences.
The financial planning process will help discover where you are now, and where you want to go. We’ll work with you to establish and prioritize your objectives. We’ll look at the problems and opportunities facing you, examine alternatives, and make recommendations and create specific action steps.
After coming up with a plan that suits your needs, we’ll assist with implementing the recommendations.
Over the years, we will regularly meet with you to review and update your plan, assess your progress, and consider other actions that may be helpful as your needs evolve.
What is your investment philosophy?
Our philosophy is to apply academic and evidence-based investing (asset allocation, diversification, rebalancing, tax harvesting) to your investment assets in a way to meet your goals, risks, and unique life situation.
How do I get started working with Charleston Wealth Advisors?
As a prospective client, you are encouraged to come in for a complimentary exploratory consultation. We discuss your financial situation as well as our firm’s ability to help you.
Who has custody of my money when I hire you to manage it?
Charleston Wealth Advisors never has custody — physical possession or access to your money.
Client assets are held at Fidelity Investments in an account registered in your name and social security number or a tax identification number for trust accounts.
Fidelity Investments is one of the nation’s leading providers of custodial and trading services. All cash accounts at Fidelity Investments are guaranteed by FDIC insurance up to Federal limits.
We never take physical custody or possession of client assets.
How are you compensated?
How often will we meet?
We will meet with you either in person or virtually based on your desires. This can be as-needed, quarterly, semi-annual, or annually.
How often will I get reports from you?
Your assets’ custodian (Fidelity Investments) will send reports with transactions and other information on a monthly basis. We can provide comprehensive customized reports at any time upon your request.
My question is not in the list above. How can I get an answer?