How We Work Together
Step 1: Introductory Call
This is a complimentary, no-pressure chat to get to know each other. We’ll talk about what brought you here, what you would like help with, and how I may be able to support you. It’s a chance to see if we’re a good fit. This call is virtual or in-person if in the Chicagoland suburbs.
Meeting Length: 45-60 minutes
Step 2: Deeper Dive
After agreeing we may be a good fit, you’ll receive a questionnaire and a link to our planning software, where you can securely share financial information and documents. I will analyze your information and create a Financial Snapshot for us to review together during the Review Your Financial Snapshot meeting.
Duration of Review: 7-15 business days
Step 3: Review Your Financial Snapshot
Together, we’ll review your Financial Snapshot and discuss how your current path aligns with your goals. You’ll gain clarity on your financial direction and insights on how to make your plan even stronger.
Meeting Length: 60-90 minutes
The first three steps are complimentary.
If you have any other questions before making a decision, just let me know, and we can set up a time for a conversation.
Step 4: Sign Agreement
Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll make it official. The agreement outlines the scope, fees, and services so everything is clear and transparent.
Step 5: Ongoing Implementation and Support
This is where the real hard work and progress happen. We’ll put your plan into action, make adjustments as life changes, and meet regularly to keep you on track toward your goals.
What's behind the CFO model?
Leveraging our corporate experience, we are bringing the concept behind continuous planning to personal finance.
The continuous corporate planning process involves monitoring goals, metrics, and milestones for existing priorities; identifying, developing, and advancing new strategic priorities; and ensuring a culture of self-evaluation, innovation, agility, and adaptability.
Just like corporations benefit from continuous planning to make smarter decisions, the same principles are applied to personal financial planning via the CFO model.
Planning is a process that doesn't stop. An initial plan is created to give us your current snapshot which is then continuously tweaked to better align with your ever-changing situation and goals.
We are your long-term partner to support you through your ongoing financial journey.
CFO Slices
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Your plan cannot start until we learn about your goals and values. Financial planning is not just about numbers. Your goals, aligned with your values, will be the driving force behind your journey, guiding us how we plan for and monitor your financial prosperity.
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What comes in and what comes out. Without diving deep to understand all the moving parts of your cash flow, the rest of the CFO process cannot continue. Analyze, streamline and monitor the flow of cash on a continuous basis, including planning for big purchases. Every dollar needs to be assigned a job, otherwise, it just gets spent without intention.
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Managing and protecting yourself and your family against risk is an important part of financial planning. Reviewing emergency fund and insurance coverage to ensure you are covered. Risk factors that might derail your financial plan are also monitored and discussed on a regular basis to proactively adjust course.
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Paying taxes is a civic duty, but we shouldn't leave a tip. Tax planning covers monitoring of your current tax situation, while also looking into tax-efficient income distributions during retirement.
Examples include reviewing your employer's benefits during open enrollment, usage of retirement and investment accounts, tax-loss harvesting and monitoring your financial plan over time to proactively anticipate your tax impact.
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Putting money into a regular savings account will not be enough to create the wealth you need for your longer-term goals. We guide and help you with your investments, based on your goals, risk tolerance and time horizon.
We believe in long-term passive investing utilizing ETFs and Index Funds to fully leverage the power of compounding. Passive investing encourages a potentially more tax-efficient and cost-effective way to save for your future as part of a well-integrated financial plan.
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One of the main reasons to accumulate assets is for retirement. Efficient distribution of those assets is critical to minimize the chance of running out of money. Retirement Income Planning is the strategy and projections of what your income and income needs might be in the future.
While you might have a while until you get there (or not, if your goal is early retirement), frequent monitoring is crucial to ensure progress is on track or updates are needed to accommodate changes in your personal life, legislative and tax rules and economic environment.
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Review your legacy plan for your family. Partner with your estate professionals as needed and align your estate plan with your financial goals and values. Continuous support to review and make updates as life happens to ensure estate plans are current. Discuss and plan for next generation wealth transfer in a mindful and tax-efficient way, based on your goals and values.
Ongoing Calendar
The magic happens with ongoing accountability and action toward your financial goals. Together, we would implement financial systems in place that promote discipline and consistency that are aligned with your goals and values. Frequent and ongoing review of your financial health allows us to make sure you are heading in the right direction.
