What is it like to work with Spark Financial Advisors?

Never worked with a fiduciary Fee-Only financial planner before? That’s not unusual, frankly, there aren’t that many of us. We work with many clients who have never worked with a financial planner and aren’t sure what to expect. Here’s a high level overview of what it’s like to work with Spark Financial Advisors:

What You Can Expect

1. A complete and detailed picture of your financial life, including your net worth in an online client portal.

2. Exploration and clarification of your personal and financial goals and life plan.

3. Integrated tax planning and investment management.

4. Presentation of possible scenarios to help you make the most of your financial assets & live your best life.

5. Analysis, discussion and recommendations on a wide variety of topics pertaining to your financial life (investments, tax strategy and planning, risk management, employer stock incentives, student loan analysis, college planning, charitable, business transition, and estate planning).

6. Ongoing financial planning support and investment advisory with unlimited access to your advisor, bi-annual plan reviews, and assistance checking off your “to do” list. Has something happened in your life? Business changes? We want you to call us. Let us help you re-calibrate your plan.

We will guide you through the process and help you stay on track. We strive to make the process as enjoyable, simple, and straightforward as possible.

We believe in transparency, please visit our financial planning services page to get more details on the topics we cover with clients and our minimum pricing. Let’s take a closer look at the flow of our financial planning process.

1st Step: A Quick “Get to Know You” Call

We begin with a free 15-30 minute phone call. You can schedule this phone call directly from our website or click here:

Spark Initial Consultation

During this call we’ll ask you to tell us a little bit about you. What prompted you to reach out to Spark Financial Advisors? What services are you looking for? What questions do you have for us?

If our services match your needs and you are ready to move forward, we will schedule a one-hour meeting or video-conference.

You will also receive an invitation to your personal financial portal.

This portal will give you an up-to-date snapshot of your net worth, investment allocation, and financial plan.

2nd Step: Get to Know You Meeting or Video Conference

This is a relaxed and open meeting where we will be going through a life planning process to help you clarify your goals, dreams, and aspirations. We will talk about any worries and concerns you may have and get to know you better.

There are no right or wrong answers.

After this meeting we will ask you to sign a client agreement.

3rd Step: Data Gathering

You will receive access to a secure document folder so you can quickly and safely share your financial documents with Spark.

We will start to comb through your documents and begin building your financial plan. Your financial plan will reflect the dreams, hopes and concerns we uncovered during our first meeting.

4th Step: Planning Meetings

We break the financial planning process into manageable sections with specific action items after each meeting. This helps us to accomplish parts of your plan at a comfortable pace but still maintain momentum.

We generally tackle financial topics in this order:

1. Cash flow and Tax Planning
2. Retirement Account structure & Investments
3. Estate Planning & Insurance
4. College, Social Security, & Charitable Planning

Have a pressing issue? Don’t worry, we can address it quickly. While we’ve laid out a financial planning process to ensure nothing falls through the cracks, we are sensitive to your needs.

Based on our conversations we will continue to refine your longer-term financial plan.

5th Step: Financial Plan Implementation

We help you maximize your time by implementing your financial plan. We will coordinate with a broader team of experts to implement the various areas of your financial plan (CPA, attorney, insurance agent etc.).

Optional 6th Step: Business & Exit Planning

The health of your business drives your personal financial picture which is why we coordinate with your team to get everything running like a well-oiled machine. Do you have the right strategy and team in place? Are you preparing for a sale or ownership transfer? Is your business supporting your great life, or controlling it?

Ongoing Implementation and Adjustments

Life changes quickly and real financial planning is an iterative process. Every year we invite clients to meet with us twice a year and systematically review the primary areas of financial planning.

We will continue to refine your financial plan and make adjustments as your life changes. We offer ongoing life planning, forward-looking tax planning to minimize your taxes, investment advisory services, business value & exit planning, portfolio withdrawal planning, and unlimited access to your financial planner for questions big and small.

Let’s Get Started!

Why wait? Time is your most valuable asset. Let Spark Financial Advisors help you create and enjoy financial freedom.

Click here to schedule a free consultation today!

Questions for Lauren?

Financial planner and advisor, Lauren Zangardi Haynes, CFP®, CIMA® works with business owners and leaders in Richmond and Williamsburg, VA. She also works virtually with clients nationwide.

As a fiduciary, she offers comprehensive Fee-Only financial planning and investment advisory services so you can live your dreams with confidence.