When I tell people that I am an Investment Advisor, I am usually asked one of these two questions : What will the stock markets do? What are the best investments right now? My honest answer does not really seem to satisfy them. To the first question, I answer that, in the short term, I do not know for sure what the stock market will do any more than the so-called experts on TV who loudly proclaim what will happen. In the medium and long term, I believe the markets will roughly do what they have always done. They will give long term returns that are fairly close to their historical averages. To the second question, I answer that the best investment for you is the one that will bring you closest to your financial goals and is, above all, appropriate for your investor's profile. It is virtually impossible to answer this question if the advisor does not know in details the financial situation and financial goals of the client. With the help of my team and other financial professionals, we have attempted to create a non-exhaustive list of the services that are offered to our clients. I invite you to send us your comments and share this list with your friends if the question is ever asked to you.
Ask questions to better understand your financial goals and needs
Helps you take stock of your current situation
Helps you define your financial priorities and develop a financial strategy
Analyses and compares different investment alternatives
Prepares a retirement plan
Makes recommandations specifically adapted to your personal situation
Suggests a series of alternatives to increase income sources during your retirement years
Revises your current life insurance policies, makes sure they follow our recommandations
Plans your estate to protect your family and your assets
Cares for you and the protection of your investments more than anyone who doesn't share your family name
Determines your investor's profile
Recommends an investment strategy that is appropriate to your investor's profile and your financial goals
Rebalances your portfolio periodically
Provides expert advice to keep you informed of changes in stock and bond markets
Constantly supervises all of your investments
Conducts follow-up meetings and calls to present you your portfolio's performance
Provides advice during difficult times in stock market. Shares with you a historical perspective to help you understand the situation
Identifies investment opportunities as market conditions evolve
Improves performance in the long term by continuously searching for the best possible balance between cost, efficiency and risk
Compares all mutual funds and managers to keep only those that add value in the long term
Recommends exchange traded funds (ETF) when they improve the portfolio or significantly reduce management fees
Helps consolidate all your investments and simplifies management
Validates the average cost of your investments
Recommends investments offering maximum tax efficiency for non-registered portfolios (personal and corporate)
Year end tax planning for capital gains/losses in current and past years
Recommends RRSP contributions after evaluating your tax situation
Recommends a withdrawal plan for RRSP/RRIF according to the level of your taxable income for the year
Recommends the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) as it can lead to significant tax savings
Works with your accountant and other legal representatives