FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions that come up most. Still unsure? The intro call is free.
Do I need to leave my accountant?
No. I work alongside your accountant and lawyer, from the same plan document. Planning sets the direction for the year; your accountant files it.
What’s the minimum to work together?
There’s no asset minimum to start. Planning is a flat fee, quoted in writing before any work begins. Investment management is optional and only applies if you choose to move assets to me.
Are you fee-only?
No. I charge a flat planning fee, and I’m also a registered representative who offers mutual funds through Portfolio Strategies Corporation and insurance through PPI, both of which can pay commission. You’ll see how each part is paid before you decide anything.
How are you paid?
Three sources: a flat planning fee, an optional tiered fee on investments you move to me, and commission on any insurance placed through PPI. Each is disclosed in writing, and the planning work never depends on buying a product. The full breakdown is on How it works.
Can we work together if I’m not in Victoria?
Yes. I meet clients in person in Greater Victoria and virtually across the provinces where I’m registered, in English and in French.
Do you offer service in French?
Oui. Planification complète en français, y compris les documents et les séances de groupe.
What products can you offer?
Mutual funds through Portfolio Strategies Corporation, a member of CIRO, and insurance through PPI. Financial planning is provided through Girard Wealth.
Who holds my money?
Investment assets are held through Portfolio Strategies Corporation. I don’t take custody of your money personally.
What should I have handy for the first call?
Nothing is required for the intro call. If you have them, a rough sense of your income, your corporate structure, and what you want from the next ten years helps us use the time well.
What happens after the plan is delivered?
A set review calendar: compensation before year end, portfolio twice a year, and structure, insurance and beneficiaries annually.
Can my employees join a group plan?
Yes. I set up and administer group RRSP, DPSP or pension plans, and employees in your plan can talk to me about their own situation with no separate fee.
Can you help if my corporation is still open in retirement?
Yes. Winding a corporation down over years, and drawing from it in the meantime, is part of the retirement work.
Will you tell me to buy or sell based on the market?
No. Decisions rest on your plan and long-run evidence, not forecasts. You won’t get a call telling you to get out of the market.
Where are you registered, and how do I verify it?
You can verify my registration through the CSA National Registration Search, my CFA record with the CFA Institute, and my CFP listing in the FP Canada directory. Current registration by activity and province is on the Disclosures page, and the links are on About.