While all CFPs learn a bit about tax planning through their exam study, there are few advisors who make it their focus. In ACP, every member does.
By taking a tax-focused approach to comprehensive planning, ACP advisors optimize the use of assets for tax efficiency, growth and security to ensure their clients’ financial goals are achieved. ACP Advisors assure tax planning happens year round, not just at the end of the year or with a mad dash to April 15.
Not every ACP member prepares taxes, though the majority does. Indeed, most members maintain their EA, CFP or CPA/PFS certification and/or licenses.
As Ken Robinson offers, “Much of the financial planning world is focused on increasing rate of return, and this usually concentrates on investments. If you increase a client’s rate of return, you usually have to increase risk to do it. But if you can save them money on taxes, maybe by more thoughtfully handling investment location and transactions, those tax savings are a guaranteed return, and usually with no or little additional cost or risk.”
Robert Walsh is confident a tax-focused ACP advisor who prepares clients’ tax returns can save them thousands of dollars in taxes each year. “There are simple things we can look for and implement to help clients avoid tax exposure and build wealth more quickly, putting tax savings to work in other investments.” He believes ACP advisors end up covering their own fees to clients through savings achieved in taxes by planning, preparing and handling IRS and state tax notices and information requests. Most tax preparers, he points out, charge a premium to respond to such notices and audits.
Indeed, the tax-focus of every ACP advisor helps clients achieve their financial goals while reducing tax bills and avoiding tax blunders all along the way.
Stop by the ACP Booth 417 at NAPFA today and make an appointment to meet an ACP advisor and learn more about the value of our tax focus.