Our Approach

Cole Financial Consulting, LLC takes an uncommon approach to personal financial advice. By providing services on an hourly, fee-only basis, I have enormous flexibility to customize methods and solutions to best address your particular needs and preferences.

In concert, we fit the pieces together to determine and implement straightforward financial strategies that will enable you to make wise financial decisions. Your role in our collaborative partnership is to be candid about your situation and aspirations, to provide all the relevant data, and to have the time and commitment to carry through.

With any of the following arrangements, you get the information, analysis, tools, and advice you seek and the inspiration you need to make the changes that will help you meet your life goals:

• A Virtual Retainer is an on-going and long-term relationship that gives you a high degree of support and attention.  Essentially, I become your “personal Chief Financial Officer (CFO)”. This arrangement typically grows out of a Project Engagement or $traight Talk planning package. It provides the services typically offered by a retainer but for a fee that only reflects the actual hours involved.

• A Project Engagement is new clients' most frequent choice. Your Project Engagement can revolve around a full financial plan, can be oriented toward specific areas needing attention, and/or can be time to use however needed over the course of a year. Typical projects are Money Flow Plans, Retirement Income Plans, Investment Portfolio Projects, and Insurance Needs Analysis and Policy Reviews. Project work includes data gathering, assessment of client needs and goals, financial analysis, written reports, and client meetings.

• A $traight Talk financial planning package works well if you have basic questions or limited resources. It's a one-time conversation and financial review that addresses your principal needs and concerns. $traight Talk is a two-hour in-person planning session plus an hour of behind-the-scenes analysis and reporting. While structured to be self-standing, Straight Talk can also provide you with a quick-start way to begin a long-term relationship with Cole Financial Consulting, LLC. Learn more by downloading the $traight Talk flyer.

Getting Started: With Project Engagements, our relationship begins with a complimentary, no-obligation, get-acquainted session, which is usually held in person but may be conducted over the telephone. With $traight Talk, we schedule the working meeting after a no-obligation introductory phone conversation. Get-acquainted sessions and Straight Talk meetings are typically arranged 2-3 weeks in advance. (You are also welcome to get to know me by attending my free events.)

Typical Fees: For most Project Engagement clients, first-year fees total $2,000 - $3,000. Project Engagements are for a minimum of 5 hours and are typically much longer. The $600 3-hour $traight Talk financial planning package is offered as a way to efficiently serve clients who have more limited financial resources. In both arrangements, you simply pay for my advice by paying for my time. I never have minimums regarding investable assets, net worth or income.

Fee Calculation: My fees reflect the scope of my arrangement with you. Whether for basic advice, customized analysis or long-range financial planning, fees are calculated using the number of hours spent on the project, whether in person, over the phone or behind the scenes. Before an engagement is begun, we'll discuss the amount of time that is expected to be required, as well as what might enable time savings or require additional time. My hourly rate is $200/hour including gross receipts tax. Discounts may be arranged for extended services.

Independent, Objective Advice: Cole Financial Consulting, LLC has no monetary stake in the recommendations made to clients. I am a financial fiduciary; my only allegiance is to you, the client. I do not sell investments or insurance products, so I don't take commissions. Nor do I directly manage portfolios to earn percent-of-asset fees. And I neither accept nor pay referral fees. In the parlance of the industry, I provide advice on an hourly, fee-only basis. In addition, I am totally independent. I have no ties to any other financial firm, including money managers, broker/dealers, or insurance companies. When you hire Cole Financial Consulting, LLC, you hire me -- Jennifer J. Cole, CFA, MBA -- for my expertise and advice, pure and simple.

The Meaning of Hourly, Fee-Only: Cole Financial Consulting, LLC provides services on an hourly, fee-only basis, which means I am solely compensated by the fees you pay for the time I spend on your behalf. Please note that "fee-based" is very different. Fee-based advisors are compensated by a combination of commissions, percent-of-assets fees, and --perhaps-- hourly or retainer fees. Also note that "fee-only" is different from "hourly, fee-only" as the former includes percent-of-asset fees.

I invite you to review the Client Services Agreement for more details.

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