The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) suggests that these questions be asked of every financial planner you are considering engaging.

1. What education and experience do the principals of the firm have?
Both principals have undergraduate and MBA degrees. In addition, all of the advisors have financial planning or investment designations. Annette has obtained the CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) designation. Veena and Laura have earned the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation. We have extensive experience in financial planning and investment management; collectively, Garnet Group advisors have over 50 years of financial advisory experience. For complete biographies, please click here.

2. What continuing education in financial planning do you pursue?
In order to maintain her CFP® designation, Annette must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years. As members of NAFPA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), Veena and Annette must complete 60 hours of continuing education across a broad range of topics every two years.

3. Do you have any disciplinary citations against you?
No, none.

4. Will a principal or an associate work on my planning?
A principal will oversee all plan development and investment recommendations and implementation. An associate may perform analytical and trading work.

5. What is included in your financial planning services?
We assist in the refinement of your goals and priorities and offer advice in the areas of cash management, investment analysis and planning, tax planning, retirement and estate planning. We often employ statistical analysis to help quantify your ability to reach financial objectives.

6. Does the service include recommendations for specific investments or investment vehicles?
Yes, we offer full plan implementation including advice on specific investments. This may include the use best-of-breed no-load mutual funds custodied at SEI Trust Company.

7. Do you offer continuous ongoing advice regarding my financial affairs, including advice on non-investment financial issues?
Yes, our role is to act as your advisor and we encourage you to call on us at any time. In addition, you will receive update reports that review progress toward your goals in all areas. Any changes to your objectives as well as economic, tax or other developments will be addressed.

8. Do you take possession of, or have access to my assets?
No. Client accounts are custodied with SEI Trust Company, an independent service provider that has managed and custodied institutional pension funds for large companies since the 1960's. SEI allows us to implement and monitor your investment plan.

9. How is your firm compensated?
We are a fee-only financial planning firm. Our only compensation is that received directly as fees from our clients. We have no financial relationships with any other firms nor do we receive compensation of any kind from the placement of investments.

10. Is your firm registered as an Investment Advisor?
Yes, we are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Garnet Group is a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission.