What We Do: Comprehensive Planning, Custom Solutions
Independent Financial Planning, LLC (IFP) is comprised of Financial Advisors and Tax Professionals based in Reston, VA, dedicated to providing a superior client experience by integrating tax preparation with investment management, all built upon comprehensive planning.
Our mission is centered on providing the best recommendations for you and your family. We serve as financial planners who ensure your whole financial picture is considered and optimized for your family’s goals, from start to finish.
At Independent Financial Planning, we help you discover, prioritize, and fine-tune your goals. Below are an array of services designed to help you accomplish those goals. We are here for you.
What is the Financial Planning Process?
The process typically begins with understanding your current situation and identifying your goals.
1. Discovery Meeting
Find out where you are and what’s possible. This 1.5-2 hour meeting involves a deep dive into your goals for financial planning and investment management. We determine your current financial situation and how to reach your goals. Preparation: Prior to the meeting, we ask you upload your pertinent financial details and consider important questions, such as: Why do you want Financial Freedom?; and What are your pressing financial goals?
2. Financial Planning / Analysis
We run the analysis through 3rd party planning software and our own spreadsheets reviewing your current situation and potential solutions. The analysis includes reviewing expected future savings, comparing assets to future spending, and determining an ideal withdrawal strategy. We apply reasonable assumptions and estimates to help select and prioritize goals, including discussing those that may not be realistic. IFP then develops recommendations based on this analysis, considering timing and priority.
3. Plan Presentation
We present your financial plan to you (online or in person), answering all your questions. The presentation includes specific steps to make your retirement work and tax strategies for optimizing distributions and charitable giving. Usually we have at least 10-20 actionable take-aways you can implement yourself or with our help.
The full financial planning process usually takes between 2-6 weeks.
Investment Management Onboarding Process
If investment management is part of your strategy, we guide you through a structured onboarding process that typically takes about 2–3 weeks.
1. Sign Your Engagement Letter
After discussing your investment goals with your financial planner, you receive a client agreement via email to sign.
2. Upload Required Documentation
Clients provide necessary documentation—such as a digital questionnaire, transferring investment account statements, and banking details—using our secure cloud portal.
3. Account Opening & Transfer
You confirm your accounts with an electronic signature. Transfers can take between 5 and 20 business days. IFP may request that you liquidate some investments in your old accounts.
4. Access Online Setup
We work with you to make sure you have the ability to view your accounts online and can receive important documents in the manner you prefer.
5. Respond to Questions & Follow-Up
Once your accounts are invested, we schedule a follow-up meeting to review what we’ve done, any major changes made, and answer any questions you may have.
Ongoing Connection
We monitor progress toward your goals together. We proactively reach out to schedule meetings, and we encourage ongoing connection and communication. If major changes occur in your life, please keep IFP updated. Learn More…
Investment Management
Developing a reasonable asset allocation and managing funds dynamically in response to market conditions and unique goals.
