Services

Whether you are looking for a long-term financial plan, a check-up or a second opinion, we’ll work closely with you to understand your needs, personal goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Having the proper mix of equities, bonds and cash will determine the potential risks and returns of your financial portfolio. We use tools to find SMART savings and investment opportunities for you. For example, we might advise you to keep your investments diversified in different asset classes for varying returns and maturity dates, postpone withdrawing your investments until you are in a lower tax bracket, insure your loans, and/or choose assets that protect against inflation. We will also advise you how your marital status can impact your investments and savings. Come meet with our experts and we’ll take care of you.

Life is precious and your quality of life largely depends on your health. Even if you are already taking the best possible care of you and your loved ones, unexpected challenges and incidents can prove costly at different stages of your life if you aren’t prepared. Have you protected you and your family against the financial consequences of a critical illness? Have you given yourself the means to control the decisions affecting you in case you lose your independence? Have you considered extending your employer-provided insurance coverage when you retire? Have you put aside an emergency fund that is equal to three months of expenses? When you travel, do you get adequate insurance coverage? Have you taken out enough life insurance to protect your family’s lifestyle and reduce their fiscal burden when you die? We have a lot more questions for you and can customize the level of protection that provides financial support when it’s needed most.

We all hope to recover from critical illnesses or accidents, but sometimes that’s not what happens. The last thing you and your family need is the burden of financial hardship in addition to difficult health challenges. Protect yourself. We can help you take charge of your financial obligations in case of accident or disability. Do you have disability or health insurance? Did you know that a mandate can be prepared in case of incapacity to make sure your interests are respected? If you travel or reside abroad for lengthy periods of time, were you aware of the importance of checking to make sure these and other documents and policies will still be honoured? Let our experts make sure you’re protected.

Few of us can predict the day we will die but it’s an inevitability we all face—ready or not. Avoiding or postponing estate planning could have expensive consequences for the loved ones you leave behind. Above and beyond financial hardship or loss, insufficient planning could also cause legal and tax-related problems, family squabbles and a lack of protection for minor children. Do you have a living will so that any end-of-life decisions are consistent with your last wishes? Will you be leaving behind debts, financial security or wealth? Who will pay for your funeral? Have you thought about whether to assign an individual or a firm to serve as executor of your estate? Who are your heirs? Do you have a plan to care for minor children? Planning your estate need not be a sad or uncomfortable task—let us empower you with options and choices that protect your assets and allow you to still take care of your loved ones for years to come.

You’ve worked hard to build and grow your business and may even have a solid grasp of how to manage its financial success, but how protected are you as a business owner? If you plan to arrange a succession once you retire (or for other reasons), did you know that transferring a business may take several years to complete and it could be a complex process? When protecting yourself as a business owner, considerations include: ensuring your company’s status doesn’t affect your personal wealth, keeping your personal assets safe from creditors, putting some family assets in your spouse’s name, checking your stakeholder agreement, investigating the pros and cons of partnerships, and limiting losses if your business continuity is impacted. Our financial planning experts have the experience and knowledge to make sure you and your business are protected.

It’s time to dream: Think about what you want to do in retirement, where you want to live and how you want to spend your time. Would like to work beyond retirement, and if so, what kind of work and how often? Do you want to spend more time with your grandkids, golf or travel? In addition to your wish list, you need to think about other factors as well: potential length of retirement, guarding against unexpected costs, protecting investments, spouse’s lifestyle, good health vs. critical illness, projected purchases, cost of favourite hobbies, travel, etc. There are also many considerations depending on whether you are an hourly or salaried worker, a senior executive or partner, self-employed, or a business owner—so make sure you get professional advice. Not only do you not want to miss opportunities you didn’t know about, but you also want to avoid costly decisions that could have been easily prevented. Protect your wealth!

A SMART retirement plan starts with a draft retirement budget. This is when you gather information about your sources of income (e.g. employer’s pension plan, government plans, personal investments and other assets, expenses during retirement, difference between income and expenses). We can take care of the rest. There are many factors to consider. What is the projected difference between your future income and expenses (known and unexpected)? Were you aware that not all income is returning income (e.g. a senior executive or manager’s higher income, expense account and bonuses are not considered recurring income)? How well do you know your plans and associated options? Can a severance be transferred to your RRSP? If you are a business owner, have you distinguished between the value of your business and your retirement capital? We can crunch these numbers for you to develop a budget that maximizes your savings and investments.

Once you have a draft retirement budget, it’s time to build a retirement plan that makes money work for you. Your strategy will depend on whether you are an hourly or salaried worker, a senior executive or manager, self-employed. or a business owner. The benefit of working with financial experts is that you’ll get a clear sense of the risks and opportunities. It’s important to minimize risk by investing regularly over time (e.g. maximize contributions to savings plans, learn what debts or investments you should pay down first, reduce outstanding debts and loans, and know when to borrow to maximize contributions). Overall, you need to balance paying down vs. savings opportunities and we can show you how. If your savings are generous, there are opportunities to create tax-sheltered wealth. If you are a business owner, remember that your business should not be your sole retirement capital. Talk to us and we’ll build a retirement plan that’s right for you.

Building a SMART retirement plan is more than about saving for the future. Integrating wise investments into your plan will grow your nest egg more quickly, helping you to retire sooner or be able to afford a better quality of life. Our guidance will include tips such as managing a diverse portfolio with long-term returns, investing periodically to counter market fluctuations, making your capital last into retirement, and considering turn-key investment solutions. Our financial experts can point you in the right directions.

As you work hard to reach your sunset years, sometimes unexpected circumstances could prove costly and risk interrupting or delaying your retirement. Or, you may reach retirement after following your retirement plan and investing wisely, only to encounter unforeseen costs as a result of injury or illness. You can protect your future by considering insurance solutions. We often advise our clients to consider purchasing critical illness insurance to help protect your independence, preserve your quality of life and avoid having to dip into your savings in case of serious illness. We also ask many clients to consider products to offset income loss in case of disability. Find out if these and other options are right for you.

Let us show you how to understand:

• RESPs: We can show you how to build capital easily in order to finance your children’s and grandchildren’s post-secondary education. Get tax-free investment returns, qualify for government grants or split your combined family income. We’ll look at all of your options and come up with a plan.
• Family Plan: Did you know that you can designate more than one beneficiary (e.g. children by blood or adoption, or grandchildren)? If a beneficiary stops pursuing post-secondary studies, you can designate the funds to another beneficiary. We can make sure you know all of your options so that you can make informed decisions.
• Individual (Non-Family) Plan: With this plan, you may only designate one beneficiary who doesn’t have to be related to you. The plan can be transferred to another beneficiary under certain conditions. Our financial experts can help you work through the fine print.

Let us show you how to:

• Optimize RESP long-term returns: Did you know that you can minimize risk and make your savings last longer by investing regularly over time? Our financial experts have plenty of tips to share, ensuring you get the most value out of your investment.
• Withdraw to pay for educational expenses: We recommend that if the beneficiary’s income is high, make capital-only withdrawals. If the beneficiary has limited income, make educational assistance payments (EAPs). We’re eager to share these and other tips with you.
• Be prepared if the beneficiary decides not to pursue postsecondary studies. You should know your options from the beginning and make sure your investment is protected, no matter the outcome. We can walk you through this and other “what if” scenarios.
• Be prepared when closing the RESP: Ask us how to reduce the amount of tax due. We can also guide the process if you need to transfer funds and ensure you’re protected from costly conditions or penalties.

Let us show you how to understand:

• Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG): The beneficiary must be under 18 years old and must have a Social Insurance Number (SIN). The grant amount varies according to net family income. Ask us about the maximum lifetime amount per beneficiary, the annual maximum and conditions, and the option to carry forward unused contribution room.
• Québec Education Savings Incentive (QESI): The beneficiary must be under 18, have a social insurance number (SIN) and reside in Québec on December 31 of the taxable year. The grant amount varies according to net family income. Ask us about the maximum lifetime per beneficiary, the annual maximum and conditions, and the option to carry forward unused contribution room.
• Canada Learning Bond (for low-income families)

Let us show you how to:

• Use tax deductions and tax credits to your advantage. Make the most of medical, disability, moving, philanthropy and other tax deductions and credits. We can show you how to save.
• Use the tax system wisely: Learn more about RRSPs, RESPs and TFSAs. Let us review your portfolio to make sure you are getting the greatest tax benefit from your non-registered accounts. We’ll help you explore products and investments with built-in tax benefits.
• Optimize non-registered accounts: Let us review your portfolio to make sure you are getting the greatest tax benefit from your non-registered accounts.

Let us show you how to:

• Maximize your after-tax income. Did you know that you can split your income with your spouse and/or children for work-related activities? We have these and other tips to help you save.
• Use tax deductions and tax credits to your advantage. Are you deducting all of your eligible expenses? Do your business-related expenses include your home office, meals and entertainment, travel expenses, and professional fees? We can help you make the most of medical, disability, moving, philanthropy and other tax deductions and credits.
• Use the tax system wisely. Learn more about RRSPs, RESPs and TFSAs. Let us review your portfolio to make sure you are getting the greatest tax benefit from your non-registered accounts. We’ll help you explore products and investments with built-in tax benefits.
• Optimize non-registered accounts. Let us review your portfolio to make sure you are getting the greatest tax benefit from your non-registered accounts.

Let us show you how to:

• Include benefits in your personal remuneration. Examples include using the company car, reimbursing certain business expenses, and having the company pay some insurance premiums. We can explain how it works and recommend the best options for you, your business and your family.
• Withdraw funds tax-free. Did you know this could be achieved from your company’s capital dividend account or from money you loaned your company? We can explain the process and provide other tax-free tips.
• Split your income. If one spouse (married or common law) earns significantly more than the other, splitting your income could help both of you take advantage of the lowest possible tax rate. Let us help you determine what’s best for you, the business and your family.
• Use tax deductions and credits to your advantage. We’ll show you how to make the most out of medical, disability, moving, philanthropy and other tax deductions and credits. We can make sure you’re deducting all possible eligible expenses.
• Use the tax system wisely. Learn more about RRSPs, RESPs and TFSAs. Let us review your portfolio to make sure you are getting the greatest tax benefit from your non-registered accounts. We’ll help you explore products and investments with built-in tax benefits.
• Optimize non-registered accounts. Let us review your portfolio to make sure you are getting the greatest tax benefit from your non-registered account. Together, we’ll explore the products and investments with built-in tax benefits that are the best fit for you.