Building Your Financial Dream Team

Managing money can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are so many moving parts: saving for retirement, paying taxes, planning for your family’s future, and making thoughtful investment decisions. The good news is you don't have to figure it all out alone. Your financial advisor can help guide and support you as you build toward your goals. And a wider team of trusted professionals—who coordinate and bring different skills to the table—can add even more structure to your financial life.

The Financial Advisor: Guiding the Big Picture

Your financial advisor often serves as the central point for your financial team. They take time to understand your priorities, whether that’s buying a home, saving for education, preparing for retirement, or feeling more confident about day-to-day finances.

Advisors can help design a plan tailored to your situation and adjust it as life changes. They may guide investment choices, suggest approaches to managing risk, and coordinate with your Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or attorney. Many clients find it helpful to work with an advisor when they’re starting out, navigating major life transitions (such as marriage or parenthood), approaching retirement, or experiencing significant financial changes.

The Certified Public Accountant: Managing the Numbers

Taxes affect nearly every aspect of your plan. A CPA can help prepare and file your returns, offer year-round guidance on ways to manage taxes, and bring clarity when life events get more complicated—like when starting a business, selling property, receiving an inheritance, owning rental real estate, managing multiple income sources, or handling stock compensation.

CPAs can also represent you before the IRS if issues arise, and they frequently collaborate with your advisor to keep cash flow and investment decisions aligned with your tax picture.

The Estate Planning Attorney: Preparing for the Future

Estate planning helps you communicate your wishes and consider your loved ones. An estate planning attorney helps put legacy documents in place (such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives) and can explain state-specific rules. They may offer strategies to help reduce taxes where applicable and guide executors or trustees through probate or trust administration. It’s wise to revisit your plan with your attorney after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or significant changes to your assets.

The Insurance Professional: Protecting What Matters

Insurance is a key piece of financial security. An insurance professional can help you evaluate needs for life insurance, disability coverage, long-term care, and liability protection. They can explain policy options, help you review coverage as circumstances change, and coordinate insurance strategies with your overall plan. Major milestones, such as buying a home, starting a family, changing careers, or nearing retirement, are good times for a check-in.

Other Professionals Who May Play a Role

Depending on your circumstances, you might also work with other specialists. A real estate agent or broker can help with buying, selling, or investing in property. If you own a business, you may engage consultants for strategy, systems, succession planning, or financial optimization. Other specialists could include appraisers, trustees, philanthropic advisors, or property managers.

How They Work Together

Each professional brings a different perspective, but collaboration adds real value. A financial advisor and a CPA may coordinate to ensure investments and cash flow reflect tax considerations. An estate planning attorney and advisor can help align retirement and legacy plans with your documents. An insurance professional can work with a financial advisor to integrate protection strategies. In some situations, the whole team coordinates on wealth transfers across generations.

Putting Your Team in Place

Think about which professionals could support you now and which you might add over time. Everyone’s team looks a bit different based on goals, family, and stage of life. If you’re seeking help for a specific area, your advisory firm can often suggest professionals they know, trust, and collaborate with. By surrounding yourself with professionals who bring complementary expertise, you’ll gain access to guidance that can help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

FAQs About Building Your Financial Dream Team

• What role does a financial advisor play in my overall financial plan?

  A financial advisor serves as the central point of your financial team, helping you clarify goals, create a personalized plan, and adjust strategies as your life evolves. At Atlantic Wealth Advisors in Glastonbury, CT, advisors can coordinate with your CPA, attorney, or insurance professional to ensure your plan stays aligned and comprehensive.

• When should I consider working with a financial advisor?

  Many people seek an advisor when experiencing life transitions—starting a family, buying a home, approaching retirement, receiving an inheritance, or navigating major financial changes. An advisor can help bring clarity and structure at any stage.

• How does a CPA support my long-term financial strategy?

  A Certified Public Accountant helps manage the tax side of your financial life. They prepare and file tax returns, provide year-round tax planning, and consult on events like business ownership, selling property, or managing multiple income sources. A CPA often collaborates with your advisor to ensure tax efficiency across your financial plan.

• Why is estate planning important for my financial future?

  Estate planning ensures your wishes are clearly communicated and legally documented. An estate planning attorney can help you create or update wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. They also provide guidance on probate, trust administration, and Connecticut-specific estate rules.

• What professionals should be part of my financial team?

  Depending on your goals and situation, your team may include a financial advisor, CPA, estate planning attorney, and insurance professional. Some clients also benefit from real estate agents, business consultants, appraisers, or philanthropic advisors. Atlantic Wealth Advisors can help connect you with trusted professionals when needed.

• How does an insurance professional fit into my financial plan?

  Insurance protects you from unexpected risks. An insurance specialist can help assess your needs for life, disability, long-term care, or liability coverage and make sure your policies support your broader financial strategy.

• How do all these financial professionals work together?

  Collaboration creates a smoother, more coordinated financial experience. Advisors, CPAs, attorneys, and insurance professionals often share insights to align investment strategies, tax planning, estate documents, and risk management—helping you move forward with clarity and confidence.

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2025 FMG Suite.

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