Frequently Asked Questions

Our typical clients

I work with clients who are nearing or entering retirement, generally age 55+, who want coordinated investment and tax guidance. If you’re outside that profile, I'm happy to meet for an introductory conversation and can help with a referral if needed.

Getting things started

I start new clients with a kickoff meeting where we gather a financial inventory, discuss retirement goals and income needs, and review your current investments and tax situation. This establishes a clear baseline and highlights areas for next steps in your plan.

Ongoing services

Clients have quarterly check‑ins that include updates on investment performance & income, review of cash balances & withdrawal planning, and look at current‑year tax projections and strategies. These sessions are intentionally brief and supported by a one page client dashboard that keeps everything organized. Meetings typically begin in person or virtually and can transition to quarterly email updates once your plan is running smoothly.

Tax season

Each spring, I connect with clients to prepare and file income tax returns. With the ongoing tax check ins throughout the year, this is typically an uneventful step in the process. 

Year round availability

These scheduled check ins are meant to be a minimum for connection points for clients. I'm available year round for any other questions that arise. 

Why this matters

Many financial advisors only offer an annual review, and many tax offices don't offer tax planning at all which inevitably leads to tax surprises. My approach provides more frequent communication and proactive planning so clients stay ahead of investment income, withdrawals, and tax changes throughout the year. 

Ashland Advisors operates as a Registered Investment Adviser, providing fee‑only investment advice with no commissions or product sales. As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I’m able to blend tax planning seamlessly with investment management. I also hold master’s degrees in finance, economics, and accounting, which helps me bring a broad, informed view to markets, portfolios, and tax strategy.

I see investing as a long‑term effort to build durable, sustainable wealth. If you’re looking for stock tips or bold predictions about where the market is headed, that’s not what I do. No one knows the future, so I focus on what retirees actually need: dependable income that supports their lifestyle and reduces stress. Income investing brings clarity, stability, and confidence to the retirement planning process.

My background in finance and accounting helps me look at investments from both angles — how companies issue capital and how investors receive returns. That’s why I lean toward income‑focused portfolios for retirees. When your investments generate cash consistently, you’re less exposed to market swings and less reliant on timing.

I also pay close attention to the behavioral side of money. I encourage clients to aim for enough instead of more, and to value peace of mind even when it can’t be quantified in a spreadsheet. Ecclesiastes puts it well: better a handful with peace than two handfuls without. 

Ashland Advisors operates as an independent, fee‑only fiduciary. I’m not tied to banks, brokers, or insurance companies, I don’t sell products, and I don’t earn commissions. That independence allows me to give advice that’s objective, transparent, and fully aligned with your best interests. Less than 5% of advisors nationwide follow this model.

I also bring a unique blend of education and real‑world experience. With master’s degrees in finance, accounting, and economics, two decades in corporate financial leadership, and the experience of co‑founding and selling two small businesses, I approach investing and retirement planning with both analytical depth and practical, hands‑on perspective. It’s a combination that helps clients build sustainable retirement income with clarity and confidence.

A lot of financial advisors bill using Assets Under Management (AUM) fees, where your fees rise simply because your account balance rises. I don’t think that makes sense. A larger portfolio doesn’t automatically create more work. That’s why I use a flat annual fee that reflects the real investment and tax work I do throughout the year. Clients often find this approach more transparent, more predictable, and a better value than the typical 1% AUM model.