OUR MISSION:
Helping the client feel secure about their financial future by offering sound, pure and objective financial planning and counseling, based on the client’s needs and goals.
To also supplement advice and planning recommendations with encouragement, inspiration, and hope.
At all times, making recommendations that are in the best interest of the client.
BIOGRAPHY:
Prior to 2002, Ann worked with mid-size and large corporations, hospitals, and state and local governments, providing financial and retirement planning for over 20 years. As a management consultant, Ann designed, developed, implemented, managed, and trained corporate staff and employees on retirement benefit plans and financial information systems. In 2002, Ann concentrated her focus on working with individuals and their retirement planning goals. Ann acquired the Series 7 and Series 66 securities licenses and health, disability, life and long term care insurance licenses for the states of Washington and Oregon. Spending the following years In the brokerage industry, Ann acquired experience and knowledge providing investment advice and prudent financial planning to meet the goals of the client.
In 2005, Ann became a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) and founded AVOW Advisors, the Financial Planning and Counseling Practice of P. Ann Wagner. Ann recognized a need for a type of financial advisor that gave objective advice, but did not sell securities investments or insurance and did not work on commission or percentage of assets under management. AVOW Advisors is a fee-only (hourly rate) advisory firm and does not hold client assets; however, Ann will advise clients in managing their retirement assets, wherever the assets are held.
Ann has a B.S. degree in Zoology/Pre-Med, graduate coursework in Information Systems, holds several certifications, and is currently studying for the CFP exam for the Certified Financial Planner certification.
Financial Counseling
(fees due at time of service)
First Visit – 2 hour Consultation $250
Follow-Up Consultation Visits $125 / hour
Financial Planning / Retirement Planning / Small Business Planning
Planning Retainer (covers first 4 hours) $500 "To be determined at initial visit"
Follow-Up Consultation Visits $125 / hour "To be determined at initial visit"
Company Training Seminars for Employees
Please call or email for fee quote. Fee will be based on complexity and length of speaking engagement.
Other Speaking Engagements
Please call or email for fee quote.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & DESIGNATIONS:
Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Counselor
Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
Federal Employee Benefits Consultant (ChFEBC)
National Guardian Association Registered Guardian (RG)
Certified Professional Guardian (CPG)
Oregon Certified Professional Fiduciary (OCPF)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Financial Planning Association (FPA) –
www.fpanet.org
Oregon Guardian/Conservator Association (GCA) –
www.gcaoregon.org
National Guardian Association (NGA) –
www.guardianship.org
AVOW Advisors follow the Ethics Code set forth by the
Financial Planning Association,
Board of Certified Financial Planners
FPA and Board of Certified Financial Planners Code of Ethics:
Principle 1: Integrity
Principle 2: Objectivity
Principle 3: Competence
Principle 4: Fairness
Principle 5: Confidentiality
Principle 6: Professionalism
Principle 7: Diligence
FAQs:
Q1. There are a lot of professionals in different industries calling themselves “financial advisors”. How do I tell the difference?
The terms financial advisor, financial planner, and financial consultant have become broadly used by stockbrokers, insurance agents, mortgage brokers, and investment representatives. Financial advisors can be commission only, commission and fee-based (hourly rate, flat fee, and/or percentage of assets under management), or fee-only (hourly rate or flat fee). When looking for a financial advisor, determine your need, how the advisor is paid, how objective is the advice given by the advisor, and do you trust the advisor with managing your investment portfolio or do you prefer to have complete control in a self-directed account.
Q2. Where were the pictures taken that are shown on this web site?
Most of the photos are of the Mt. St. Helens area. AVOW Advisors is a Washington based practice; scenes were selected which are a reminder of nature’s beauty and sometimes destruction. However, no matter how devastating the scenario, there is always hope for the future as seen by the presence of greenery and flowers and even elk in the Mt. St. Helens area.
Q3. What’s the difference in Financial Counseling and Financial Planning?
Financial Counseling is for those who need assistance with monthly budgeting due to having too much month at the end of their money and/or for those in financial distress from the burden of debt. Financial Planning is geared for those planning for future goals such as: Retirement, College Education, saving for a new house, saving for a nice, once in a lifetime vacation. Looking forward, at some time in the not so distant future, financial counseling clients will be able to utilize AVOW’s financial planning service.
Q4. What will be the result of the Financial Counseling initial 2-hour consultation visit?
Clients will be given the tools needed and homework assignments to begin the process of stopping the bleeding from the debt monster and to begin repairing their financial situation. As clients begin working through the homework assignments, they will have access to the financial counselor via phone call and email for quick question and answer.
Q5. What will I receive at the end of financial planning or retirement planning?
The deliverable is a planning document detailing the focus of the financial planning engagement. The financial plan / retirement plan is discussed with the client to ensure understanding of any client tasks that need to be accomplished as well as projected financial results based on current data.
Q6. If I can only afford the initial 2-hour consultation for financial counseling, then need to return for more counseling help in 6 months, will I have to pay for another initial 2-hour consultation?
Following the 2-hour consultation, any future consultation visits will be at the current hourly rate.
It is the policy of AVOW Advisors, the financial planning and counseling practice of P. Ann Wagner, to preserve the confidentiality of all client information pertaining to each current and former client (i.e., information and records pertaining to personal background, investment objectives, financial situation, investment holdings, account numbers, account balances, etc.) unless: (1) previously authorized by the client to disclose information to individuals and/or entities not affiliated with AVOW Advisors, including, but not limited to the client’s other professional advisors and/or service providers (i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, broker-dealer, investment adviser, account custodian, etc.); (2) required to do so by judicial or regulatory process.