Finish lines are important—in races and in our finances. No one keeps running after crossing the finish line, yet many of us haven’t considered how this concept applies to our financial lives. Why? Setting your financial—or retirement—finish line isn’t easy! Many people we encounter have their resources planned out but haven’t thought intentionally about why they want to retire, what
A friend struggling as a DIY investor asked if my firm outperforms the S&P 500, which led to a conversation about how exactly advisors add investment value and how our value proposition includes more than portfolio management.
A good financial advisor:
Sharing my book review of How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement by Christine Benz, as well as a link to our recent discussion about it and a conversation recap.
There are few people more qualified to write about retirement planning than Christine.
She’s the director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar
Empowering Business Success, with Paris and James Williams, Next Level Financial (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 804)
On a recent episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Paris and James Williams, the co-founders of Next Level Financial, a fractional CFO service. They share their transition from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, offering insights into how they
A reader asks, how can a financial advisor help an entrepreneur? The context behind the question being that they’re confident risk-takers who prefer to build wealth through their business.
I’ve thought about this a lot over the years since I work with many business owners and feel well-positioned to help them given my background, When it comes to financial
As Q4 approaches, businesses face unique challenges that can define their success for the year. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), effective strategies become crucial to navigate this competitive landscape. By focusing on financial preparation, strategic planning, and operational efficiency, SMEs can position themselves to not only meet but exceed their goals this quarter.
CFOs play a key role in
Acquiring a service-based small business can be a smart move for growth and expansion, but it requires careful consideration of various factors. Understanding the financial health, cultural fit, and market positioning of the target business is crucial to making a successful acquisition. Without this knowledge, the buyer risks inheriting problems that could undermine their investment and future operations.
Financial health assessments
As small businesses grow, their financial operations often struggle to keep pace. The need for a more sophisticated financial infrastructure becomes evident when processes become cumbersome or decisions rely on inadequate data. A robust financial infrastructure not only streamlines operations but also supports informed decision-making as the business evolves.
Recognizing the signs that a business needs to upgrade its financial
Vanguard’s Advisor’s Alpha (VAA) framework quantifies the benefit financial advisors can provide clients by following certain wealth management best practices. There’s admittedly some art to their analysis that concludes that advisors can add up to 3% or more in net returns. However, a separate Morningstar study supports the math, and more importantly, provides guidance for all investors to improve their
Losing a spouse or family member is one of the most challenging experiences one can face. When that person was also the one who managed your family’s finances, the loss can feel even more overwhelming. As advisors, we’ve navigated these situations many times. Each situation is unique because each person is unique.
During this difficult time, it’s important to remember