Client FAQs: Smooth Transition to Birch Financial Group

1. Why Birch Financial Group?  

We created Birch Financial Group to enhance our ability to offer you personalized, independent financial advisory services. This evolution aligns with our deep-rooted commitment to prioritize your interests, allowing for customized strategies and a broader selection of investment opportunities.

2. How does this transition benefit me? 

As a valued client of Birch Financial Group, you’ll enjoy:

• A wider array of investment choices
• Tailored financial planning
• Transparent fee structures
• Improved access to your advisory and support team
• Tax smart distribution planning

3. Will my investment strategy or portfolio change? 

Your initial investment strategy and portfolio will remain consistent. Birch Financial Group’s freedom enables us to align your investments more closely with your personal goals and aspirations. We’ll discuss any potential adjustments with you thoroughly in advance.

4. What happens to my accounts during the transition?

Your accounts will be transitioned to our new platform. We are working closely with our custodian to ensure you’re supported every step of the way, minimizing inconvenience and aiming for a smooth, quick transition.

5. Are there any costs associated with moving to Birch Financial Group?  

We are committed to a seamless and cost-free transition for you. We will fully reimburse you for all administrative and transfer costs associated with moving to Birch Financial Group, ensuring you incur no expenses during the transition.

6. What do I need to do now?

If you are ready to start your transition to Birch Financial Group, please take the following steps:

• Contact us to express your intention to join Birch Financial Group. Our new contact methods include our dedicated email and new phone number: [email protected] | 603-338-3838.
• Remove our old contact information from your records and update it with our new phone numbers and email address.
• We will assist you in signing new agreements and updating your personal information.
• Support will be provided throughout the account transition process. Our team is committed to ensuring a smooth and supportive transition, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
• Once we hear back from you the entire process should take approximately 3 to 5 days from start to finish.

7. How will our communication change?

Our communication channels are expanding to ensure we stay connected in ways that suit you best. You will continue to reach us via phone, email, and both virtual and in-person meetings. Additionally, you can now text us for quicker, more convenient communication. We’re also introducing a dedicated email, [email protected], where you can send inquiries and receive prompt responses. With these enhancements and new tools and platforms, we aim to provide you with the latest financial insights and updates efficiently.

8. Will I still have access to my account online, and will the interface change? 

Yes, you will continue to have 24/7 access to your accounts through our newly designed online client portal and mobile app. The new interface is crafted to be more user-friendly and intuitive than before. It not only allows you to monitor your account performance, but also enables you to link external accounts for a comprehensive financial overview. Additionally, you can initiate transactions such as deposits and withdrawals anytime you choose. Although the look of the portal will be different from what you are accustomed to, we believe you will find it significantly enhances your online experience.

9. How often will I receive updates on my investments and financial plan?

You will receive updates on your investments and financial plan through both online and paper statements, and you can customize how frequently you receive these updates based on your preferences. Our new digital client portal, which we are excited to introduce, offers an improved experience with features that allow you to view your portfolio performance anytime. We are committed to providing consistent and comprehensive performance reporting to ensure you are always well-informed about your investments.

10. What’s Birch Financial Group’s investment philosophy?

Birch Financial Group’s investment philosophy is centered on crafting strategic, personalized portfolios that prioritize diversification, low-cost investments, and efficient tax management. We aim to protect your assets and optimize returns by carefully selecting investment opportunities and implementing withdrawal guardrails. This approach ensures that your investments are tailored to meet your long-term financial goals and structured to minimize costs and tax liabilities.

11. What about the fee structure? 

One of Birch Financial Group’s benefits is the ability to implement more transparent and client-aligned fee structures. We’ll discuss the specifics and how they compare to your current arrangement.

12. Will this affect my tax planning and reporting?

We are coordinating with tax professionals to ensure the transition to Birch Financial Group has minimal tax implications, aiming to maintain tax neutrality. You will experience no tax consequences due to transitioning your accounts to our new firm. For tax year 2024, you will receive year-end tax packages from both Raymond James and Birch Financial Group. Starting in 2025, you will only receive tax documentation from Birch Financial Group. With our expertise in tax planning and collaboration with trusted professionals, we are well-equipped to handle tax-related matters and address any specific questions or concerns you may have during this process to ensure your peace of mind.

13. How is my information protected during this transition?

Protecting your data is our top priority. At Birch Financial Group, we adhere to the most rigorous data protection standards and comply with all regulatory requirements to ensure the security and privacy of your information. Our security measures include advanced encryption technologies, secure data storage solutions, and continuous monitoring to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, we conduct regular security audits and updates to maintain the highest level of protection. Your information is handled with the utmost care and discretion throughout the transition, ensuring its integrity and confidentiality.

14. Who from the team is joining Birch Financial Group?

We are thrilled to announce that the core team—Liana, Travis, and Alexis—is transitioning to Birch Financial Group. Our unified move underscores our commitment to providing consistent, high-quality service. We are also looking forward to growing our team further. This expansion will enable us to enhance our capabilities and deliver exceptional support and personalized financial advice, preparing us to meet your evolving needs better.

15. What’s the financial stability of Birch Financial Group?

Birch Financial Group is well-supported by strong partnerships with industry leaders such as Schwab and Altruist, enhancing our operational stability and investment capabilities. We adhere to industry regulations and best practices to ensure our financial resilience and the security of our client’s assets. In addition to comprehensive insurance coverage, including cybersecurity, errors and omissions (E&O), and other industry-standard protections, we have implemented internal controls and risk management strategies to safeguard our operations. We’re happy to discuss these details more thoroughly upon request, providing you with the confidence that your financial interests are well-protected.

16. Can I visit Birch Financial Group’s new office? 

We’d love to welcome you to our new office! Our office is located at 149 Emerald St, STE M2/M3, Keene, NH 03431 and is open Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM For more information on our location and hours, please visit our website’s contact page at [Insert Website Link]. Feel free to stop by anytime during our business hours—no appointment is necessary. We’re celebrating our move with various snacks and drinks available for you to enjoy. Look at our before and after photos, experience the positive changes firsthand, and discuss our shared future together. We’re eager to show you around and answer any questions you may have.

17. What if I decide not to join Birch Financial Group? 

If you choose not to join Birch Financial Group, your accounts will remain at their current location, and our team will not assist you in the transition process. You will be assigned a new advisor whom you have not previously met. While we respect your decision and wish you the best in your future financial endeavors, we are grateful for your past business and happy to help you find a new advisor if needed.

This transition to Birch Financial Group is a milestone in our journey, and we’re here to ensure it’s positive and beneficial for you.

18. What exactly does a financial planner do?

A financial planner helps you move from where you are to where you want to be by aligning your financial strategy with both your current needs and future goals. From cash flow and tax planning to estate considerations and retirement timelines, the focus is on helping you make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes throughout your life.

19. When should I talk to a financial planner?

If you’re asking the question, it’s probably time. Whether you’re just starting out, approaching retirement, or navigating a major life change, a financial advisor can help you think through the decisions ahead. Even if now isn’t the right time to work together, a good advisor will still point you in the right direction.

20. Is it too late to get a financial planner?

No. Even if you’re already retired or feeling behind, it’s never too late to gain clarity and make informed decisions. There may still be opportunities to adjust your strategy, protect your assets, or align your financial life with what matters most to you.

21. What is Wealth Management, and how does it work?

Wealth management is a term often used to describe a combination of financial planning and investment management. It typically includes financial planning, investment management, tax strategy, and estate planning — all working together to support your goals. While we’re financial advisors first and foremost, our services reflect the broader approach that wealth management implies: connecting the dots across your financial life so you can make confident, informed decisions.

22. Should I hire a financial advisor when I retire?

It’s best to hire a financial advisor before you retire, but it’s still valuable afterward. Retirement brings key decisions — like when to take Social Security, how to draw income, and how to manage taxes. A financial advisor helps you navigate those choices with a strategy that supports your goals.

23. Who are you, and who do you help?

We’re a team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals with over 30 years of combined experience. We work with busy professionals, business owners, and multi-generational families who want a deeper level of guidance and strategy. Our clients often lead complex financial lives — and they value having a partner who can help them make sense of it all.

24. What services do you offer?

We offer comprehensive financial planning, investment management, tax strategy, and estate planning — all designed to help align your financial life with your goals. Our work often includes cash flow planning, risk management, liability strategy, and long-term income planning. We focus on the full picture, so you’re not making decisions in a vacuum.

25. How do I start working with you?

Visit our website and click the “Start Here” button in the top right corner. From there, you can schedule an introductory call to see if we’re the right fit.

26. Where are you located?

Our office is located in Keene, NH, but we serve clients nationwide, coast to coast.

27. Is there a difference between a financial advisor and a wealth manager?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there can be a difference in scope. What matters most is how your advisor approaches your goals. At our firm, we bring a full-spectrum strategy to the table, no matter which label you use.

28. What is considered high-net-worth?

High-net-worth generally refers to individuals with $2 to $5 million or more in investable assets. That threshold can vary depending on context, but it’s often used to describe those with more complex financial planning needs.

29. What is the tax planning process?

Tax planning starts by reviewing your past returns, understanding your current situation, and building forward-looking strategies to help reduce future tax liability. It’s not a one-time event — it’s a continuous process that adapts as your life and goals evolve.

30. What are the core principles of risk management?

Risk management means identifying potential threats to your financial well-being and deciding how to handle them — avoid, reduce, transfer, or accept. It’s not just about insurance or investments; it’s about protecting what matters. Your personal risk tolerance plays a key role in shaping these decisions and keeping your strategy aligned with your comfort level.

31. What should I think about before our first meeting?

Take a moment to look ahead. If we were sitting down a year or two from now, what would need to happen — personally and financially — for you to feel good about your progress? You don’t need all the answers, but having that perspective helps us understand what matters most to you. It turns a conversation about money into a plan that actually fits your life.