Financial Planning in Pittsburgh: Fee-Only Hourly Services
STEP 1 - Initial Inquiry
When you contact us by phone or email, we’ll provide a brief description of our services, philosophies, methodology and fee structures. If our services and approach appear to fit your needs, we can schedule a Step 2 Get Acquainted Meeting to be held in person, by video conference or by telephone.
STEP 2 – Get Acquainted Meeting or Call
The complimentary 30 minute Get Acquainted Meeting is an opportunity for us to discuss your financial situation and goals, and how we may work together to achieve them. We will review our background, our services and planning process, our investment philosophy, and the benefits of financial planning. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about working with Emerick Financial Planning in order to feel comfortable moving forward with us. Should you feel that you are ready to take the next step, we will provide you with a Confidential Financial Questionnaire as well as a list of suggested financial information needed to begin the financial planning process.
STEP 3 – Initial Assessment
Once you have decided we’re a good fit, we can move ahead to an Initial Assessment Meeting (in person or by video conference). We will review your completed questionnaire and requested financial details, refine your goals and objectives, answer any specific questions that you have, and perhaps make some preliminary recommendations and point out actions you can take immediately. At the end of this meeting we will provide you with a written status for each of the financial areas reviewed during the assessment, as well as an estimated fee quote for any additional financial planning that we agree is needed. You will be billed for the time spent on our Initial Assessment plus a deposit toward the financial plan fee.
STEP 4 – Data Gathering
In order to complete your detailed financial plan and recommendations, we will develop a list of follow-up questions as well as any additional documents and information that we may need. You will be asked to gather the requested data, then deliver to us by email, fax or US mail. You may also request a secure shared folder using if you prefer to upload your electronic documents and files.
STEP 5 - Analysis and Plan Formulation
We will analyze the information you have provided, working with you as needed to further clarify the data and refine your financial goals. We will study various plan scenarios, conclude our research and analysis, and produce the final reports that summarize objectives, assumptions, results, and recommendations, as well as an action plan for your unique situation. As we finalize our analysis we will be in touch to schedule a Step 6 Presentation Meeting to review your plan.
STEP 6 - Presentation of Your Financial Plan
We will meet with you to present and review your personal financial plan. We will discuss all reports and provide you with a detailed written plan document which includes a summary of our observations and specific recommendations. At this point you will have a personalized plan, custom designed to meet your financial goals. Full payment of the balance for the financial plan fee is due at the conclusion of the plan presentation meeting.
STEP 7 - Financial Checkups (Optional)
Financial planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time event. Periodic update meetings and reviews are beneficial to maintain good financial health. Periodic meetings can be scheduled at whatever frequency you think appropriate, or whenever your financial situation or goals have changed since your last update.