Services
Tax Advice
Financial Planning
Investment Counseling
Other Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional Affiliations
Education & Experience
Mary L. Lester, CFP®,EA
By Appointment Only |
Tax Planning & Preparation
Are you frustrated, confused, or overwhelmed by your tax situation? With proper planning, you can
minimize your tax bill and devote more of your money to pursuing your goals. We prepare your personal income tax return(s) and provide you with professional planning and advice year-round. Sometimes the tax savings alone offset our annual fee.
Audit Protection
While we aggressively pursue the tax deductions you are legally entitled to, we also provide peace of mind with Audit Protection. In the event of an audit, a qualified tax attorney, CPA, or enrolled agent will represent you before the IRS at no additional charge.
Record Keeping System
A major step in controlling your financial life is knowing where you are and having a system to keep track of your financial information in a readily accessible manner. Our record keeping system is designed to maximize tax savings while requiring minimal effort to maintain.
Goal Setting & Financial Planning
You will be guided in setting attainable near-term and long-range goals, as well as finding strategies to help balance what can seem to be conflicting goals.
Insurance Review & Risk Management
Most people get insurance advice from someone selling a policy. We don’t
sell insurance, so our clients get an independent evaluation of their
insurance needs, without any sales pressure. We will review your
insurance needs and advise you on what you need to be adequately protected,
while identifying any unnecessary coverage. You can use your current
insurance agent to implement our recommendations, or we can suggest
cost-effective alternatives.
Retirement Planning & Financial Independence Analysis
When do you want to be financially independent? What does that mean to you? What do you need to do now to reach your goal? We analyze all the factors and help you develop realistic projections. You will learn how to adjust your savings and spending now to make your goals attainable.
Estate Planning
You will be guided through the process of deciding how you want your loved
ones cared for and your assets divided after your death. The focus is on
reducing estate taxes and probate costs while ensuring that your wishes will
be carried out.
Special Needs Planning
You will be advised on any matter that affects your finances: education
planning, budgeting, debt reduction, home purchase analysis, charitable
giving, qualified plan/IRA rollovers, as well as life transitions such as
the death of a spouse, divorce, second marriage, early retirement, and
starting a small business.
Portfolio Analysis
Are your present investments appropriate for your risk tolerance, tax bracket, and long-range goals? We will look at all your investments―including retirement accounts and real estate―before making investment recommendations.
Investment Strategy
A personalized asset allocation will be developed based upon your needs and objectives. You will learn how to balance your investments to hedge against inflation and unpredictable economic and market cycles. Through proper diversification you can reduce portfolio risk while enhancing return.
Commission-Free Investing
We will make specific recommendations for no-load, low-expense mutual funds.
For independent investors, the self-directed approach lets you buy directly
from these funds or use the discount broker of your choice.
Daily Money Management
We provide daily money management or personal bookkeeping for anyone who
wants/needs help with bill paying and personal banking. Typical clients
who take advantage of this optional service are
extremely busy executives, people who travel a lot, and seniors.
What is Fee-Only Financial Planning?
The success of a financial planner should be based on the success of his or
her clients, not on the number of products a client purchases. That is why
Mary L. Lester accepts no referral fees, commissions, or other reimbursements
from the implementation of recommendations. The only compensation we receive
is what you pay us directly. Being compensated by a predetermined
client fee, rather than commissions, reduces potential conflicts of interest and
helps ensure the advice you receive is in your best interests.
Why Hire a Financial Advisor?
Most people are not financial experts, yet increasingly individuals are in
charge of their own financial futures. Most are aware that planning is
critical but don’t have the time or the expertise to develop a plan and make
the needed financial decisions. Mary L. Lester works as your partner in the
planning process, helping you to enjoy your life more today while building
the future you desire.
What Makes Mary L. Lester Different?
- Fee-only commitment: our compensation is never contingent on the outcome of any financial transaction you make. We accept no commissions. Our only compensation is what you pay us directly.
- Holistic approach to planning: all the financial areas of your life, including taxes and real estate, are integrated in one overall, comprehensive plan.
- Focus on client education: education is our number one priority. We take the time to make sure you understand our advice.
- Full-service retainer: with this open-end retainer, you may visit or call anytime in addition to your scheduled appointments, at no extra cost. (For less extensive planning needs, a variety of affordable retainer options are available.)
- Complimentary initial consultation: call or email us to schedule a meeting for us to review your situation and develop a proposal.
What is the Cambridge Client Pledge?
As a member of the Alliance of Cambridge Advisors, I have pledged to my
clients to be:
- Holistic in outlook. I will consider all of your circumstances, family needs, goals, values, and aspirations when making recommendations.
- Professional in conduct. I will protect your privacy. I will strive to maintain the highest ethical standards possible in my work and life. I will continually enhance my skills and credentials through continuing education, and I will refer you to other professionals when you need help in an area outside my expertise.
- Educational in nature. I will guide you through your options and explain them clearly to help you make the best choices. I will always take the time to make sure you understand my advice.
- Independent in compensation. I will never sell you a product or service other than holistic financial planning nor will I take a commission or a referral fee from another professional. You will receive objective, unbiased advice from me.
- Committed to your success. Holistic financial planning is a process, not an event, and I commit to adjusting your plan as your life goals change.
- Alliance of Cambridge Advisors
- Financial Planning Association
- California Registered Investment Advisor
- National Association of Tax Professionals
- Certificate in Personal Financial Planning, UC Davis Extension
- BS, US Air Force Academy
- Certificate of Enrollment, Internal Revenue Service
Disclaimer: Mary L. Lester is listed with the State of California as a Registered Investment Advisor. The firm will not solicit or accept business in any state in which it is not properly registered or otherwise qualified to conduct business by virtue of a state “de minimus” exemption. This website does not provide investment advice, nor does it constitute an offer to provide investment advice, to any individual or entity in any state or other jurisdiction.
Certified Financial Planner
Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and
in the
U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s
initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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