• Why should I work with a financial advisor?

    Financial planning is complex and it can be daunting to tackle it on your own when you have a lot of other things competing for your time. We ask the relevant questions, offer an objective perspective when it comes to making wealth-related decisions, and work with you to create a financial plan you can follow. We will be with you at every turn to adapt your plan as needed, and help ensure you are always well-positioned to reach your goals, regardless of changing priorities and market shifts.

  • What questions should I ask when choosing a financial advisor?

    How long has the advisor been in the business? What certifications, education and/or designations do they have? Do they have strong understanding of financial planning for both small businesses and personal planning? Do they focus on all aspects of wealth management, such as tax, accounting, succession and insurance-related issues, with easy access to a team of experts in those fields? Is their fee structure transparent?

  • What information will you need from me to create my comprehensive financial plan?

    We will start by discussing your current and future goals, followed by any initial concerns you may have. Next, to ensure we can provide a comprehensive plan, we will need current investment and bank account statements, insurance policies, and details on outstanding debts and monies owed, your most recent tax returns, a household budget (if you have prepared one) and plans for travel, large purchases, or helping children with education, home ownership or other pursuits.

  • What should I look for in a Victoria financial planner?

    A strong Victoria financial planner should look beyond your investments and understand how the different parts of your financial life fit together. For business owners and families, that can mean coordinating personal and corporate finances, tax planning, retirement, estate planning, insurance, succession and wealth transfer.
     
    At Patterson & Associates Private Wealth Management, we start by listening. We take the time to understand your business, family and priorities, then build a coordinated plan and explain the reasoning behind each recommendation in plain language.

  • What is the difference between a financial advisor and a financial planner?

    A financial advisor may help with areas such as investments, retirement or insurance, while financial planning can involve a broader look at how those decisions interact with taxes, estate planning, business ownership, succession and family priorities.
     
    Our approach is comprehensive. We bring the different parts of your financial life together so decisions about one area are made with the bigger picture in mind.

  • What does Victoria wealth management include?

    For us, Victoria wealth management is about much more than managing an investment portfolio. It includes understanding what your wealth needs to accomplish for you, your family and, for many clients, your business.
     
    That can involve investment strategy, tax-efficient cash flow, retirement income, insurance, estate planning, business succession, charitable giving and preparing wealth for the next generation. Your plan is reviewed and updated as your circumstances change.

  • Do you work with business owners in Victoria?

    Yes. We work with business owners and incorporated professionals in Victoria and beyond, including construction and trades businesses, developers, architects, engineers and other professional firms.
     
    Planning can include managing corporate cash, drawing income tax-efficiently, coordinating personal and business investments, preparing for retirement and building a succession or exit strategy that connects your business wealth with your family’s long-term plans.

  • Do you only work with clients in Victoria?

    No. While Patterson & Associates Private Wealth Management is based in Victoria, we also work with business owners, professionals, retirees and families across Vancouver Island, Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
     
    Wherever you’re located, our approach remains the same: listen carefully, explain things clearly and build a coordinated financial plan around your life, family and future.