In his June 28th blog post, Garry highlighted what our process looks like when new people first contact our office after having been referred to us. Today, I want to outline our onboarding process for those people that decide to work with us in a formal planning relationship.

Our onboarding process is a very intentional eight-week process that we have built as a structured, comprehensive dive into each client’s personal and financial circumstances. Our desire is to get to know each person on a deeper level through exploring what is most important to them. We also want to uncover any issues that could crop up and become an impediment to achieving the person’s goals. The onboarding process is structured to uncover the foundational planning items first and build upon these items throughout the remainder of the process, as follows:

• Week 1 – During this week we do a deep dive into your values, goals and desires. We use these values and goals to develop a framework for future planning decisions and recommendations.
• Week 2 – Then, we collect all the financial information and corresponding documentation that we need in order to organize your net worth, cash flow, risk management plans and tax situation.
• Week 3 – Your advisor reviews all the information collected and reaches out with any clarifying questions or additional information needed.
• Week 4 – On Monday of week 4, the entire advisory team meets to discuss all the information gathered in order to discuss our planning recommendations and build out your financial plan.
• Week 5 – You will meet with your advisor to see the team’s recommended financial plan, along with corresponding cash flow and investment scenarios based on your goals.
• Week 6 – During this week, your advisor will analyze your insurance needs and estate plan in order to determine what changes, if any, could be warranted.
• Week 7 – Your advisor will discuss any tax planning items that could be valuable to consider, in conjunction with your tax professional. This week will also involve discussion of the person’s charitable giving goals.
• Week 8 – This meeting serves as a recap meeting, either in person or via a video call. During this meeting, we talk through any actionable planning items uncovered. We will present you with your completed one-page financial plan, providing an overview of everything discussed thus far along with action steps and other planning items in preparation for our ongoing planning relationship together.

We have built our process to be intentional and proactive, with the desire to see ongoing alignment, assurance, and contentment. How have you benefitted from professionals in your life that approach their working relationship with you in a very proactive, intentional manner?