WEALTH MANAGEMENT

At Schlenner Wenner & Co. we believe our role as CPAs goes well beyond preparing tax returns and financial statements for our clients.  We serve as trusted tax and wealth management advisors through our partnership with Avantax Planning Partners℠.  Our collaborative approach allows us to create a long-term plan that looks at the impact of all financial decisions and demonstrates how these decisions will impact our clients' futures.  We are committed to building and fostering long-lasting relationships with our clients based on our service, trust and expertise.

Avantax is a pioneer in tax-smart investing, financial planning and wealth management.  This partnership with Avantax allows our firm to work intimately with our clients, provide consultation throughout the year, examine clients' financial portfolios and then strategize advantageous steps to take in the future.  The financial planning process begins with understanding what is important to our clients.  We listen, assess and discuss tax-efficient financial strategies to create a comprehensive plan that includes:

Tax-Focused Investment Strategies:  Navigating the markets requires having an investment portfolio that serves as a reflection of risk tolerance, time horizon and liquidity needs.  But there is an additional step to ensure the returns earned are not eroded by taxes.  Having an investment strategy that meets our clients' financial goals and minimizes tax liability is going to be paramount to an overall financial plan.

Retirement Planning & Withdrawal Strategies:  While retirement may start in the later stages of life, the dreams of retirement start much sooner.  The earlier retirement needs are identified and addressed, the more likely our clients will realize those dreams.  Planning for both the accumulation and withdrawal stages of retirement requires consistency, discipline and accounting for the tax implications of saving and spending in retirement. 

Family Risk Management:  Every Financial plan has potential risks associated with it- risks that can become prevalent when life happens.  It is important to mitigate those risks so the financial plan, and our clients' families, do not suffer because of those catastrophic life events. 

Business Planning:  Most businesses in the U.S. are not run by corporations, but rather families.  Planning for contingencies in running a business allows for both employer and employee to succeed financially, especially during times where the focus is on the day-to-day operations as compared to the company visions.  Contingencies include business growth, business continuity, employee retention and tax savings.

Legacy Planning:  Legacy planning comes down to being able to ensure our clients' wishes, values and priorities are upheld throughout life.  Whether it is through education, charitable giving or trust planning, building a legacy can ensure the next generation(s) of our clients' families are supported.

Education Planning:  Despite increasing tuition costs and debate around attending college, education planning can be one of the easiest financial hurdles to overcome.  With recent tax-law changes, education planning is not limited to college.  It is important to discuss the educational options for both children and grandchildren, and see how these options can affect cash flow, debt management and estate tax planning.

Cash-Flow Management:  The concept of cash-flow management boils down to one thing- how much are our clients saving versus how much are they spending.  Having a plan where their savings and spending choices reflect their values and priorities can positively affect their financial plan.  Having a clear picture of monthly inflows and outflows can lead to informed decisions on other aspects of planning for our clients and their families.

Avantax brings to Schlenner Wenner & Co. a powerful planning tool to help navigate through our clients' financial futures.  The Guidance Planning Strategies (GPS) program tool visually lays out a long-term plan, looking at all the impacts of financial decisions and demonstrates how decisions like investing in a 401(k), selling a business, donating to a charity or planning for their estates impacts their futures.  The power of a plan comes to life when it incorporates our clients' portfolios, tax advice from our firm's CPAs and the planning professionals at Avantax Planning Partners℠.