Frequently Asked Questions
Who is your typical client?
We specialize in mid-career Women in Tech who receive equity compensation (RSUs, Stock Options, ESPP, Company stock). As seasoned professionals with concomitant responsibilities many of our clients have a demanding career, a busy personal life and complex finances. As such, clients who meet these criteria will benefit most from our ongoing Comprehensive Wealth Management service in which we foster a long-term relationship; providing holistic advice and collaborating to optimize finances and achieve financial goals as life evolves.
Must I be a Woman in Tech to work with you?
No, as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals we are qualified to work with a wide variety of clients. While we specialize in working with mid-career Women in Tech, we are capable of assisting any professional or business owner for whom our approach resonates.
Do you have an investment account minimum?
We do not have an account minimum. However, our ongoing services are best suited for households with $250,000+ household income and/or equity compensation.
What services do you offer?
We offer four services:
- Comprehensive Wealth Management – Ongoing holistic financial advice with ongoing tailored investment management
- Ongoing Comprehensive Financial Planning – Ongoing holistic financial advice
- Project-Based Financial Planning – Limited scope financial planning project to address a specific need
- Investment consulting services – for non-profit institutions
How do you charge for your services?
- Comprehensive Wealth Management – the fee consists of an initial fee and an annual advisory fee based on a percentage of asset under management (AUM) with a minimum of $12,000 annually. If the percentage of AUM asset fee does not equal the minimum fee, the balance of the remaining fee will be charged and can be paid by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or check.
- Ongoing Comprehensive Financial Planning – the fee consists of an initial fee and a fixed annual fee. The fee, which may be paid monthly or quarterly, varies with complexity.
- Financial Planning Project – we charge either a fixed project fee or an hourly fee depending on the engagement.
What should I expect for the introductory meeting?
- Prior to the meeting, we’ll send a brief questionnaire (under 10 minutes to complete) to help us prepare and to make the most efficient use of the time you’ve allocated for our meeting.
- The 30 minute video meeting will focus on getting to know you, addressing your questions and clarifying your financial needs. We’ll provide a high level overview of our services, our collaborative approach and pricing structure.
- The meeting is also an opportunity to assess our mutual fit for working together.
What distinguishes a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® practitioner from other financial advisors?
CFP® professionals only comprise 1/3 of financial advisors. That’s because the certification process is rigorous – certification requirements include:
- Ethics – adhere to a code of ethics and professional standards
- Education – undergraduate degree prerequisite, completion of a CFP Board Registered financial planning program and 30 hours of Continuing Education biennially
- Exam – pass the rigorous CFP® Exam which has a historical pass rate of 50%
- Experience – complete 6,000 hours of professional experience or 4,000 hours of apprenticeship related to financial planning
What does it mean when you describe your firm as fee-only?
We are a fee-only firm, meaning the only compensation we receive is from clients for our services. We do not earn commissions, nor do we sell insurance, annuities, stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other commissioned products. This results in advice that is in your best interest.
I‘d like to learn more. What’s the next step?
You can contact us with questions or schedule an introductory call.
