Services and Fees


Independent Advice
Birks Financial Advisors,LLC (BFA),  is an independent financial planning firm solely owned and operated by James M. Birks, CFP®. BFA acts as a fiduciary for its clients. This special relationship of trust established by law is similar to the relationship one has with an attorney or accountant.  As such, BFA is legally obligated to maintain an allegiance of confidentiality, trust, loyalty, obedience, and accounting to its clients.

Fiduciary Oath
BFA will exercise its best efforts to act in good faith and in the best interests of our clients. We will provide written disclosure to our clients prior to our engagement, and thereafter throughout the term of the engagement, of any conflicts of interest, which may compromise our impartiality or independence. We do not receive a referral fee or other compensation from another party based on the referral of our client or our client's business.

Client Services

Retirement Planning Consultation

BFA is the creator of the Successful Retirement™ planning process.  This process provides individuals and couples with a “financial roadmap” for achieving a secure and successful retirement.   The process begins with an initial, private consultation where your current finances are organized, goals are defined, and retirement concerns are reviewed.

Comprehensive Retirement Plan

Following the initial consultation, we are prepared to provide you with a customized, comprehensive retirement plan which includes these keystones to a successful strategy and plan.

  • Evaluation of Your “Financial Roadmap” and Current Financial Statement to Determine Where You Are Now
  • Analyze How Much Money Will Be Needed for Retirement and When Retirement May Start.
  • Determination of Income Needs in Retirement
  • Cash Flow Analysis— Confirm the Saving Rate Until Retirement and the Tax Efficient Withdraw Rate in Retirement.
  • Investment Allocation Planning—Including Options for IRAs and 401(k)s
  • Risk Management—Evaluating the Need for Specific Insurance (Life, Long-Term Care, Disability)
  • Education Funding
  • Estate Planning—Including Survivor Needs
  • Other Considerations Specific to You

Ongoing Retirement/Financial Planning Services and Portfolio Consulting
This service provides you with unlimited access to continued retirement planning advice, as well as fee-only investment portfolio advice.  The implementation of a retirement plan is the start of a lifelong relationship between you and BFA.  Although your retirement plan sets a stable course of action, it is not static.  As circumstances change for you personally, as well as financial factors such as investment returns and inflation rates, your plan too may need to change.

This level of service includes:

Financial & Retirement Planning

  • Ongoing Retirement Plan Review & Analysis
  • Cash Flow Management, Including Income Needs in Retirement
  • Asset & Debt Analysis
  • Income Distribution and Tax Planning
  • Review of Insurance Requirements

 Portfolio Consulting

  • Portfolio Allocation and Diversification
  • Investment Analysis
  • Portfolio Rebalancing

To help meet your financial and retirement goals, it is important to review your financial position, strategy and investments regularly. This ensures your plan is still on course toward your goal to successful retirement and allows us to evaluate and possibly adjust your strategy in the face of changing markets and life transitions.  It also helps identify opportunities that may arise after your initial consultation.  We conduct quarterly phone reviews, as well as an annual in office review consultation.  At your request, we will also schedule additional consultations related to specific financial concerns as they arise.

This service includes the following optional, additional benefits:

Beneficiary Directory™  More than an estate plan, it's an indispensable tool to guide your heirs through the estate settlement process.  We help you assemble and maintain your “directory.”  We also help your beneficiaries use the Beneficiary Directory to simplify your estate settlement process. Learn More

Legacy of Financial Independence™  Provide your loved ones with the gift of financial independence.  We provide complimentary financial planning for your parents and children.

Ethical Will  Typical estate planning deals with the question "What do I want my loved ones to have?”  An Ethical Will helps to pass on your wishes concerning "What do I want my loved ones to know?"  We guide you through the process of developing your Ethical Will.

Identity Guard  Protection from Identity Theft  An increasing problem as our society goes digital.  We help you protect yourself with comprehensive credit monitoring, credit management, and a privacy protection service.


Fees

A Successful Retirement™ Consultation is without charge.  This is a special, limited time promotion and includes a private, one-hour, retirement planning consultation, a subscription to our Monthly Retirement Newsletter, and a Financial Organizer.   Bring your spouse, if applicable.

Comprehensive Retirement Plan.  This plan is billed as a fixed fee. Fees typically range from $1,900 to $3,000 depending on the complexity of your plan. 

Ongoing Portfolio Consulting and Retirement/Financial Planning Services.  These services are billed as a percentage of the investment assets in your portfolio(s).  Our fees range from .25% to 1.5% of investable assets (minimum account size is $400,000).