Your Team
Joseph P. Curran
Samuel E. Kaplowitz
Curt A. Nadeau
Brette M. Connor
Angela M. Curran
Why Us?
Our Process
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STEP 1: Gather Profile Information
So, what’s the scenario? We must ask the clients a series of questions to find out exactly what they are looking for. This will uncover their needs in such a way that will allow the advisor to make recommendations and manage the overall relationship. Following are the exact pieces of information for an introductory meeting to obtain a holistic profile.
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STEP 2: Create Financial Plan and Investment Policy Statement
Now that we have all of the vital client information, we can process the data and try to make sense of the whole scenario. Every plan is unique and must be customized carefully to include the specific needs of each individual, family, or business. In essence, the number of potential outcomes here is endless. It is not prudent to force the same cookie cutter plan when developing the proper action plan for a client. Of course, there exist basic principles necessary to build a robust presentation; however, each situation must be customized to some extent to incorporate wholly the unique personality of a particular client case. -
STEP 3: Implementation and Investment Selection
The real value of all of our work up to this moment is lost unless we act. Typically, this will involve organizing, consolidating, and retooling the client’s current scenario, with help from an “advisory triangle” and team of specialists. The extended team of specialists may include, but is not limited to: a private banker for lending needs, an insurance specialist, a business retirement plan person, and other experts that may be helpful regarding particular investments or other client needs. The advisory triangle often consists of a financial planner, tax advisor, and legal advisor/attorney. In practice, the financial planner can oversee (even if outsourcing) the investments, insurance, and liabilities such as mortgages and lending needs. Very dedicated planners focus on the plan from inception to ongoing maintenance.
During this stage, the investment portfolio will be constructed and the allocation will be implemented.
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STEP 4: Monitor, Review, and Update the Plan
It’s best to go forward with the knowledge of where we’ve been. Every quarter, we go back to the drawing board and gather data to see where we are compared to where we were and where we are possibly going. It is important to see the numbers and raw information without any influence or bias. We also need to incorporate any changes with the client’s personal situation. The state of the markets and economic conditions are vital. Once all of my data is gathered, we prepare quarterly commentary and present changes to the investment portfolio or other areas of a client’s financial landscape. Investment additions or subtractions are made. This one formal research effort allows us to deliver a consistent message for all clients and their associated allocation models.
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In our advisory role, we never take custody of client assets. We utilize Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., as the custodian of client accounts and as our primary broker.
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The Academy of Certified Portfolio Managers (ACPM) is an independent organization that creates and manages a credentialed program of excellence for training discretionary portfolio managers. The collaborative and continuous learning experience enables portfolio managers to achieve a higher level of expertise in multiple facets in an ever-changing and dynamic global economy. The Certified Portfolio Manager (CPM®) Program aims for the highest level of responsibility and accountability to clients, be they individuals, families, foundations or institutions. The CPM Program equips investment professionals with essential tools needed to become better portfolio managers. As the home of Graham and Dodd, as well as Mr. Buffett, Columbia University was the perfect fit to hold our annual executive education program. | Learn more |
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CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can call themselves a CFP® professional. Financial planning is a dynamic process. Your financial goals may evolve over the years due to shifts in your lifestyle or circumstances such as an inheritance, career change, marriage, house purchase or a growing family. As you begin to consider how best to manage your financial future, you should feel confident knowing that with a CFP® professional, you’re working with someone committed to providing the highest standard of financial planning. | Learn more |
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The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve. Our rich history began in 1983 when a group of advisors simply wanted to serve their clients without muddling the relationship with commissions. Since then we have developed high standards in the field and each advisor must sign and renew a Fiduciary Oath yearly and subscribe to our Code of Ethics. It's all a part of the mission of NAPFA. The association provides support and education for over 3,800 practitioners all over the country and is governed by the NAPFA Board of Directors and supported by our four Region Boards.
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