Ten Questions

The ten suggested questions you should ask if seeking financial advice

    1. Graduate: Post-secondary education, Business Finance, 1998

    2. Investment Licensed, IDA, 1999

    3. Financial Planning Certificate, 2002

    4. CFP designation, 2002

    5. Primary designations and certificate programs completed: 
      Designation, Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
      Designation, Chartered Investment Manager (CIM) 2012
      Designation, Chartered Strategic Wealth Professional (CSWP)
      Certificate, Advanced Investment Advice (CSI)
      Certificate, Financial Planning (CAIFA)
      Certificate, Fellowship of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI)
      Certificate, Registered Retirement Consultant (RRC)
      Certificate, Financial Management Advisor (FMA)

    6. I professionally maintain the CFP and CIM designations

    7. Designations Resigned: FCSI, CSWP, RRC | Reason: redundant

    8. Future programs/Educational goals: TEP designation (STEP)

    • Since 1998. 25 years of experience offering advice & service in the financial industry

    • Career Start: Canada Trust, 1998, Customer service

    • Wealth management, Investments, Canada Trust Investment Services, 1999

    • Private practice, Independent, Financial Planner, 2004

    • Today, my practice focuses on wealth management, retirement planning, estates, and tax services

  • Yes. Stratford Financial Planning Inc. has no ties to financial institutions or other financial service providers.

    • I have an Associate Portfolio Manager license (CIRO) and a formal Financial Planner license (FSRA)

    • Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, CIRO, Provinces: Ontario, Nova Scotia, British Columbia

    • Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, FSRA| Nova Scotia Superintendent of Insurance

    • FP Canada, Financial Planning Standard Council of Canada

    • Canadian Securities Institute

  • I enjoy identifying opportunities and illustrating easy-to-understand strategies that work. The main goal is to enhance one's economic awareness and well-being.

    Developing reports and plans requires discipline, knowledge and expertise. Taking action requires humiliation, desire, and trust.

    Reports encompass an overview of your financial situation, goals, and concerns. Plans analyze your financial life and provide solutions to your goals, concerns, and potential needs. In completing our plans, we consider life's generalities and possible deviations to foresee your future needs, so our recommendations bring you closer to the desired outcome.

    Plans only work if action plans work, so our plans become straightforward and direct action plans.

  • SJ Smith and Stratford Financial Planning Inc. have no third-party affiliations.

  • The services that I provide have evolved over the years. They now primarily fall into four main categories. Some clients come to gain insight on a concern they wish to work out one-on-one, while others seek advice, ongoing support and a professional relationship. We offer both.

    Wealth management

    • Fee-only, based on the asset under management

    • Portfolio management, reviews, analysis & management

    • Investment asset selection and implementation

    • Written personal investment goals & guidelines

    • Seminars – learn more about investments in Canada/World

    More Services included: 

    • Personal financial administration & financial transitions

    • Modular Planning: Retirement Income & Estate Planning

    • Interpreting financial policies and procedures

    • Resolution of conflicts and clerical inaccuracies

    • Negotiating/clarifying financial terms before purchases/sales

    • Executor/Executrix assistance

    Fee for service: Financial advice & reports | Tax

    • Personal financial reports and action plans

    • Financial & estate organization and set-up

    • Retirement income planning

    • Pensions, severances & life transitions

    • Writing a timeline for financial products

    • Business Planning

    • Interpreting financial policies and procedures

    • Resolution of conflicts and clerical inaccuracies

    • Negotiating/clarifying financial terms before purchases/sales

    • Executor/Executrix assistance

    Tax services

    • Tax Preparation Services

    • Tax planning & projections

    Insurance Services

    • Life insurance and Health & Sickness living benefits by request

  • Cheque, cash, or etransfer

  • Years, 2025 - 2026

    • Consultations are free; take as much time as you need before moving forward

    • Financial advice, $190/half hour

    • Tax Preparation: 2024 - 2025: Start at $90 per person | $180 per couple

    • Life Planning: Offers start at $2,500 plus a fee for the scale of the plan

    • We generally do not charge more than $6,000* for a full report.

    • Updates: Annual or biennial: $2,600

    *Ask us about our relationship service packages.

  • Yes.

We aim to answer your questions, fill in the gaps, and provide support and direction when an opportunity arises. We work for you as well as with you and no one else. Do you need answers to your biggest concerns or want to expand on a big idea? Is your business or professional practice growing? If so, consider adding us to the team. 

Take this opportunity to ask questions and to learn more.