FAQs

1. What is a Certified Financial Planner™ Practitioner?

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner is recognized as the standard of excellence in personal financial planning. Becoming a CFP® certificant includes completing a rigorous curriculum of study, minimum of 3 years experience in the field, and pass a comprehensive 2 day exam. To maintain competency, a certificant is required to complete 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years. A Certified Financial Planner ™ Practitioner is bound by the CFP CODE OF ETHICS PRINCIPLES. The CFP Board requires it, personal integrity ensures it. Learn More

2. What services do you offer?

In a few words, comprehensive financial planning and objective investment advice. CFP® professionals must master nearly 100 integrated financial planning topics, ranging from:

Investment Management
Income tax planning
Retirement planning
Employee benefits
Estate planning
Risk management
Insurance Planning

3. Why should I hire an independent financial planner?

As independent financial planner, I offer an objective approach. This enables me to put your interests ahead of mine without the influence of product or sale quotas. There are a broad spectrum of products and services available to investors today. You want someone you can trust who is able to help you select the appropriate strategies for you and your family. To avoid feeling overwhelmed with decisions regarding your planning or investments, you may benefit from having a personal financial coach to help you; freeing you up to do what you do best.

4. Who is LPL Financial?

LPL Financial is the largest Independent broker/dealer in the couintry as reported in Financial Planning Magazine June 1996--2018 based on total revenues. Currently, there are over 16,000+ advisors affiliated with LPL Financial. LPL Financial serves as custodian of client accounts and sends monthly/quarterly reporting statements to clients. LPL Financial is a Registered Investment Advisor, Member of FINRA and SIPC.

5. What is the pricing of your service?

All upfront consultations are free of charge and include an initial complementary financial plan. Additionally our objective is to help you manage your assets with the least fee possible. Depending on the strategies we utilize, we may not charge a fee at all to a quarterly advisory fee up to .30%. A full disclosure of any fees is provided prior to implementing any strategy.

6. What is your investment philosophy?

Our philosophy is to manage your assets in a way that works best for you. Key elements to this philosophy are to develop a diversified portfolio that matches your risk profile, investment objectives and goals. Monitoring your portfolio and keeping you informed will assure we are on the appropriate track together. However, there is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

7. What types of clients do you work with?

We work with Individuals, families, and businesses that want to analyze and understand their financial situation, and develop a plan for the future. Also, clients tell us they hire a professional because they may not have the time, desire, or expertise to manage their investments.

8. How much contact do you have with your clients?

After an initial consultation, there may be several meetings in the first few months. During this time we want to get to know you and understand your situation. Throughout the year, we will meet for a mid year check up. At a minimum, you can expect an annual face to face meeting to review your entire plan, and make any needed adjustments. Although, life doesn’t always happen on a schedule. Never hesitate to call or email with any questions or concerns there may be for you or a member of your family.

9. What licenses, credentials or other certifications do you have?

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

My Securities registrations held with LPL Financial are: Series 7, 24, 63, 65.

Insurance Licenses: Life and Health

For a complete biography click on About Us.

10. Are you accepting new clients?

Yes. Most of our new clients are referred to us by our existing clients or by a trusted professional advisor, such as a CPA or attorney. To get started with your free consultation, please complete the information at Contact Us, or simply call me at 888-428-4483 to set an appointment.

11. Who do I contact when I have a question?

You receive personalized service. Call me directly at 888-428-4483 or email me at William.wilkins@lpl.com. I will respond with in 24 hours, typically within a few hours. However, if you have an immediate need, LPL Financial customer service representatives can be reached at -1-800-558-7567, from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm Eastern Time.

12. What do I need to bring for the first meeting?

There is no preparation necessary for the first meeting. Most important is to get to know you and understand how we may be able to help. This will also give you an opportunity to get to know us better as well. However, if you know you have a specific question about something, please bring any statements or documents you would like us to review. Otherwise, for future meetings we will guide you on important items to bring with you.

13. What’s in a financial plan?

A holistic approach to the financial planning process integrates all areas of your financial life, including investment, tax, insurance, retirement, and estate planning. After a though analysis, strategies are designed to address any areas that need improvement. A summary of the analysis and recommendations are provided for your personal records.

14. How do I keep track of my investments?

Every client is provided a “My Financial Butler” private financial planning website. To see an example of the website you will have access to, Please click the following link or copy and paste into your web browser https://wealth.emaplan.com/ema/SignIn?ema%2flpl%2fwilkinswealth.

THE USER NAME is: william.wilkins@lpl.com and the Password is: Password1 (The password is case sensitive so please make the P a capital) If the system ask you any security questions the answer is always green

Your private financial planning website can consolidate all of your financial information (even on accounts we don’t manage, such as your 401k, Fidelity, Vanguard, T.Rowe Price, Schwaab, Etrade, Scott Trade etc…) into one snapshot so you can see updated daily asset allocation, how much risk do you have across all your portfolios.

You will be able to add your income, expenses, pensions etc… and generate a year by year cash flow projections to see how you are pursing your goals. This Cash Flow projection is in real time and will update with your asset values so you can see how you are pursing your goals at any point in time.

You will be able to link your credit card and checking accounts to pull in all your spending transactions which will allow you to see how your money is being spent across all categories. It allows you to track refunds and unwarranted charges. You can also create a budget within the website that will match up to your spending transactions.

You have access to an encrypted online vault where you can store digital copies of documents such as wills, trusts, insurance policies, photos, deeds, etc. for easy reference whenever you need to read through them. You can also upload photos & videos of personal property to have proof for insurance companies in case of loss.

There is also an organizer tab that allows you to update your income, itemized expenses, assets, liabilities, insurance policies and more that allow you to play the What If Game? Any changes you make will automatically update your cash flow planning projections so you can see how your are pursing goals.

There is also a financial planning checklist within the Organizer Tab to reference suggestions on planning and money saving ideas to help get your financial life in order.

See Video For What Your Financial Butler Personal Financial Planning Website Can do.