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How can a financial planner help me?
How do I choose the right financial planner?
What is a fiduciary and why is it important?
Why work with West Financial Advisors?
How does West Financial Advisors charge for services?
Will my information be kept confidential?
How do I get started?
How can a financial planner help me? Answer: A financial planner can help you avoid costly mistakes, manage risk, save time, and improve your overall results. Specifically, a financial planner can help:
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Guide you through the maze of retirement options – 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, pensions, annuities, Keoghs, etc -
Decrease your estate tax liability, thereby adding to the financial stability of your loved ones. -
Reach your education savings goals through 529 Plans, Coverdell savings accounts, and other techniques. -
Determine the type and amount of insurance you need to protect yourself, your family, and your assets. -
Minimize your taxes, file your tax returns, and plan to reduce future tax impact. -
If you own a business, develop a strategy to manage your business finances.
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How do I choose the right financial planner? Answer: Working with a financial planner is a very personal relationship. In addition to competency, a financial planner should have integrity, trust, and a commitment to ethical behavior and high professional standards. You want a planner who will put your needs and interests first. A registered investment advisor (RIA), like West Financial Advisors, is obligated by law to act as a fiduciary and put your interests first.
You can search on the internet by going to www.napfa.org or www.plannersearch.org or www.cfp.net/search/. We always recommend you get more than one name and personally interview the planners to make sure they are a good fit for you. You may also check with the SEC, appropriate state agencies, and CFP Board to determine if complaints have been filed against the planner you are considering.
What is a fiduciary and why is it important? Answer: A fiduciary is obligated by law to act in the best interest of clients. Fiduciaries will also adopt a code of ethics and will fully disclose to clients how they are compensated for services. Registered investment advisors (RIA), CPAs, doctors, and lawyers are fiduciaries. Not all financial professionals are fiduciaries, such as bankers, stock brokers, and insurance agents.
It is important that you work with a financial advisor who is competent and puts your interests first. Working with a fiduciary is the best way to ensure you will receive the most objective advice in your best interests.
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Why work with West Financial Advisors? Answer: We sell you advice, not products. We embrace our role as a fiduciary and our company receives no commissions for products we recommend to clients. As a result, you can depend on receiving objective advice appropriate for your situation and in your best interest. You do not have to worry about being oversold and underserved again.
We believe you deserve access to a vast variety of quality investments and financial products. That is why we partner with trusted discount brokers, like Charles Schwab & Co., who hold custody of your assets and are not limited to proprietary products. We also work directly with your other financial advisors (attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, and insurance agents) to serve your personalized needs.
Because our firm is dedciated to life long learning, our partners make sure to stay current on market and economic events and learn about new finance tools and strategies. You can rely upon receiving advice from a qualified advisor with the knowledge and expertise to recommend sound strategies for your personal finances.
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How does West Financial Advisors charge for services? Answer: West Financial Advisors receives fees directly from clients and the firm does not receive any compensation from third-parties for products or services we recommend to clients. It is our goal to be the best value - high service and reasonable cost - for our clients. While we are not allowed by law to guarantee results, our fees have more than paid for themselves for our clients in the past.
For ongoing financial planning and investment management, we charge clients based on a percentage of investment asset balances. The total cost to clients is typically more reasonable than other options.
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Will my information be kept confidential? Answer: Your privacy is important to us and maintaining your confidence is one of our highest priorities. We respect your right to keep your personal information confidential and understand your desire to avoid unwanted solicitations. Click here to read our firm's Privacy Policy.
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How do I get started? Answer: To get started, contact us to schedule a consultation to determine if we are a good fit for you. There is no charge for this initial meeting. Your initial session will be more valuable if you complete the Initial Consultation Questionnaire in advance of our meeting. You can send it to us in advance or bring it along with you to your meeting.
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