Finding a Financial Advisor or Certified Financial Planner isn’t hard, but finding one that has the expertise and skills you need and want in your neighbourhood of the Greater Toronto Area can be.
Meet Janet Baccarani and Jennifer Black, Senior Financial Advisors and Certified Financial Planners with Dedicated Financial Solutions, Manulife Securities Incorporated and Manulife Securities Insurance Inc. who were recently interviewed about their business, and what it is like being a retirement financial planner in Mississauga. Here’s what they had to say:
Q: How do you respond to someone who is anxious about the state of financial markets today?
A: These days, most investors are feeling anxious about the financial news they’re getting, and it’s understandable, given the current headlines. The crisis in the financial markets is a complex set of problems. Most people need a chance to express their fears and concerns. We listen carefully and try to place them in the right context. We discuss the situation with them in detail so that they will have a clearer understanding of the issues. Then, we can help them find a solution that best meets their needs, and avoid having them make a hasty decision based on their emotional reaction to the market’s volatility.
Q: Do people generally need the same thing from a retirement financial planner?
A: No. Everyone is different and will have unique needs that should be met with their financial plan. We analyze each person’s situation and goals completely and objectively prior to making any recommendations. A financial plan involves more than the retirement plan alone. A complete portfolio will include tax planning, insurance, investments, estate planning, debt management and budgeting, as well as the retirement planning component. We try to meet with our clients and stay in touch with them on a regular basis to address any changing needs they may have.
Q: What sets you apart from other financial professionals?
A: That’s a good question. It helps to understand that we provide a complete range of financial services, while other financial professionals may only handle one or two services or products. You might say working with us is like one-stop shopping. In addition, we believe we offer a higher level of personalized service. We arrange to meet with clients on an annual basis, and we are in contact with them quarterly. In between, we add further value to our relationships by sharing informational tips and newsletters via email. We specialize in year-round tax planning and tax minimization, and as a Chartered Accountant, Janet also prepares and files personal tax returns.* Our mentor is well-known Canadian billionaire and philanthropist Michael Lee-Chin. Does that set us apart? When we had the chance to get to know him and to learn about his wealth creation strategies under his personal guidance, we did not hesitate. He has been in the financial industry for more than 30 years and his success speaks for itself. We felt that his mentorship would add significant value for our clients, because we can share proven strategies with them. Not every financial advisor can claim this benefit.
Q: Your business is in Mississauga. Why there, and not Toronto?
A: Yes, our office is in Mississauga. The primary reason for our choice is that Janet lives in Etobicoke, while Jennifer lives in Mississauga, and the office is located in between. It made sense for it to be convenient for both of us. Most of our clients are in the Greater Toronto Area, and our office is easily accessible via major highways. We do have clients in other parts of Ontario as well as a few in other locations, including Florida. We enjoy working with clients in a wide variety of circumstances.
* Preparation and filing of personal tax returns is conducted through Bacc ‘N Black Corp.
