The Entrepreneur/Business Owner.

At Sierra Wealth Advisors, we understand that entrepreneurs and business owners have unique concerns that vary during all phases of business development, as well as with the size and scope of the business.

Although there are more business-specific concerns than can be listed here, such concerns may include: deciding what type(s) of retirement plans are most appropriate to help the owners (and their employees) to reach their retirement goals, thoughtful tax planning to ensure that the maximum amount of money can be channeled to the appropriate place (whether that’s to the owners or back into the business), ensuring that the business and owners (and their families) are protected against the death or disability of key people, investing for an early retirement if desired, protecting the owners from the risks of exposure to a non-diversified asset such as company stock, and planning for a successful business succession.

Most entrepreneurs and business owners are far too busy starting or running their business to have the time to become knowledgeable about the myriad choices and their implications. We can help you wade through all of the various options to determine what choices are best for you.

The Retiree and Pre-Retiree.

Those nearing retirement or in retirement may face a period of tremendous uncertainty. After a lifetime of earning income and accumulating assets, they are faced with making a finite amount of assets cover their future living expenses, and for the remainder of their lives. Considering the longer life expectancies of today, this can be a daunting proposition. Typically, some investment risk must be assumed because inflation will erode the purchasing power of a portfolio over time. We build customized portfolios to balance these risks, while educating our clients to the types and levels of risk that they are assuming.

To help answer the questions these clients have (e.g., Will I be able to retire early? Will I be able to maintain my present standard of living?), Sierra Wealth Advisors employs Monte Carlo Analysis to determine a client’s probability of successfully achieving long-term goals. Monte Carlo Analysis is a sophisticated mathematical technique that estimates the probability of achieving goals through a wide variety of economic scenarios by using random returns (within historical constraints). The use of Monte Carlo Analysis helps our clients put the risks of the market into perspective.

The Executive.

High compensation, incentives, and lucrative benefits make financial affairs for executives demanding and complex. At Sierra Wealth Advisors, we’re able to implement financial planning programs designed to help company executives take the actions necessary to achieve their long-term financial security.

Often the largest risk that senior executives face is too much exposure to the company stock. We’re able to employ numerous strategies to reduce such exposure, such as stock option management, hedging company stock held in a personal portfolio, and changing asset allocations within 401k and deferred compensation plans.

Other concerns that we can help address for our executive clients include: exercising and selling stock options in a tax-intelligent manner, benefit elections, determining an optimal retirement date, evaluating early retirement offers, wealth transfer planning, and of course establishing a disciplined portfolio management approach for substantial portfolios of diverse assets (stock options, 401k, deferred compensation plan, life insurance, personal investment portfolio, and not infrequently various real estate investments).

The Inheritor.

People who inherit substantial sums of money may be thrust into a world for which their life experience has not prepared them. Receiving a large sum of money can certainly be a life-changing event but without thoughtful and knowledgeable guidance to help make the most of your newfound wealth, the hurdles may be high enough to trip even the most nimble.

If managing a small investment portfolio by yourself can be a gut-wrenching experience (and it certainly can!), imagine the emotional roller coaster of managing a substantial portfolio. The more you have, the more you have to lose. While many people might realize the need for help (though not soon enough), they will often start their search in the wrong place, such as with a well-known national brokerage firm. Unfortunately, the commission-based compensation structure of most brokers creates an inherent conflict of interest. As fee-only advisors, our advice is always objective. Additionally, even a knowledgeable and well-intentioned broker won’t have access to the institutional asset class mutual funds that represent the very best building blocks for a portfolio.

Rather than learning the hard way and losing precious time and assets, it pays to start off on the right foot. By developing a comprehensive financial plan and investment policy that are specific to your goals, Sierra Wealth Advisors can save you enormous amounts of time, money and anxiety. Knowing that you have a sound plan in place to achieve your goals through good and bad markets can help you sleep well at night, allowing you to focus on living your life rather than managing your money.

The Philanthropist.

One of the biggest questions facing people or organizations with interests in philanthropy is "How much can we afford to give away each year?" Using the same technique that we use for retirement planning (Monte Carlo Analysis, discussed above under The Retiree and Pre-Retiree), we’re able to answer that question by assessing the cash flow over a donor’s lifetime (or even ad infinitum, as might be the case for foundations and other philanthropic organizations). In addition to answering that vital question, we can also provide portfolio management for trusts and charitable foundations, assist with philanthropic policy creation, and even provide education regarding sound investment principles and fiduciary responsibility for members of the family or organization.

While we enjoy working with all kinds of clients, we are particularly passionate about helping individuals, families, and organizations to create and sustain a legacy that reflects their most deeply held values.

The Job Changer.

Among the most common mistakes that people make when changing jobs is to either leave their retirement plan assets in their former employer’s plan or to move them into their new employer’s plan. Even the very best defined contribution plans (e.g., 401k, 403b, etc.) don’t offer the best building blocks for your portfolio, so why would you voluntarily limit your investment choices for what may well be your largest investment? At Sierra Wealth Advisors, we can show you how to put those hard-earned assets to the most prudent use, increasing the likelihood that you’ll achieve your goals. For more information, see the description of our Portfolio Management services.

The Frequent Traveler.

Many of today’s most successful people are always on the go, whether for work, play or both. While we always enjoy meeting with our clients face-to-face, the truth is that it’s rarely necessary. Sierra Wealth Advisors specializes in remote collaboration via telephone and internet, allowing you to attend meetings from almost anywhere. Effective use of technology makes working remotely not only possible, but more time-efficient (even when you’re not traveling) because it eliminates driving time to and from appointments. Conducting virtual meetings is more respectful of your busy schedule.