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Veo Financial

Bringing Clarity to Your Financial Choices

Welcome!


Thanks for landing here. If you’re like our clients, you are responsible and good at what you do or have done in school, at work or taking care of others. You “hear” from others that you should be “doing this or that” with your finances or that you should “talk to someone” to make sure you’re doing the “important” things and avoiding a big mistake.

You may have visited financial websites or listened to financial news and found it hard to know where to start or how to choose what to read or listen to. It’s a noisy environment and sometimes it sounds like a whole different language. We can help.

Why VEO Financial?


Financial life can be complicated. Most Americans struggle to make sense of the financial landscape. You may know a fair amount and still wonder, “Who has time or wants to spend time sifting through issues and choices and reading about tax regulations, investment theory and how to crunch the numbers for all these decisions?” We can help.

Who We Work With

Service Focus


Personal Financial Planning – Helping clients make good financial decisions and establish good money practices and habits is the core of our work. Whether you choose to start with a slice of financial planning to establish and move toward one or two important goals first, or want to carefully assess your retirement outlook and investment portfolio, there are service options designed for you.

About Veo Services


Next Step

Check out the services page.

Services



About You

You may be asking:


  • Who is your typical client?
  • Have you worked with someone like me before?
  • How much will it cost?

Our clients are typically:


  • Motivated to take control of their financial resources
  • Willing to learn
  • Committed to creating a better financial future

For more than a decade, Leisa has worked with clients just starting out in the work force as well as retirees – and everyone in between.

Most clients are professionals or active retirees. We’ve worked with librarians, professors, doctors and nurses, engineers, accountants, creative advertising and marketing professionals, musicians and music directors, and school and social service administrators and others.

The fee is based on our hourly fee and the time required for meetings and analysis work. See the list of services to see what fits.

We Help Clients From All Stages


Young Couples & Singles

Young Couples & Singles


  • Setting and prioritizing goals like debt payoff vs. long-term savings
  • Getting a better handle on cash flows
  • Home purchase decisions
  • Saving/Paying for college
  • Acknowledging risk of loss of income and thinking about life and/or disability coverage
  • Establishing a long-term savings and investment strategy

Mid-Career Professionals

Mid-Career Professionals


  • Wondering how “on track” they are for retirement
  • Setting and prioritizing goals like debt payoff vs. long term savings
  • Saving/Paying for college
  • Acknowledging risk of loss of income and thinking about life and/or disability coverage
  • Wanting a second opinion on existing portfolio/investments or to develop an investment strategy

Families with Children or Aging Parents

Families with Children or Aging Parents


  • Making housing decisions
  • Evaluating tradeoffs between current priorities and long term savings
  • Acknowledging risk of loss of income and thinking about life and/or disability coverage
  • Wondering what to do with a family gift or inheritance
  • Wondering how to use retirement resources

Retirement Planners

Retirement Planners


  • Approaching retirement
  • Home purchase/sale decisions
  • Wondering how to make decisions about Social Security, pensions and taking money from retirement plans
  • Wanting a second opinion on existing portfolio/investments or to develop an investment and withdrawal strategy
  • Thinking about charitable giving or living a legacy to the next generation

Next Step

Check out the services page and see what fits, then click here to schedule a call.

Services

About Veo Financial Counsel

Leisa Aiken Photo

Leisa Aiken

Founder

What’s my story? After getting my MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, I worked several years in corporate finance and taught as adjunct college faculty. While I enjoyed working with financial concepts and teaching them to others, I wanted to find a way to use my knowledge of finance, taxes and economics to directly help individuals and families. I studied for and passed the CFP® certification examination and became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional. Then I worked in wealth management firms for high net worth clients. We did good work. Those excellent services weren’t available to people like my husband and me – both professionals and good savers and investors but without enough assets to work with those firms. I wanted to work with a broad range of clients and make a difference in their lives. I don’t “sell” products. I “sell” time and expertise through hourly consultations and projects that provide tailored analysis and recommendations. We work together to build a better financial future for you.

Veo (Vay-oh)

Means “I see” or “I get it.”

Leisa helps clients “see it” or “get it.” She can help you “see it” and “get it” – what you need to know and do.

Connections, Credentials and Education


  • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner
  • Member of The Garrett Planning Network, Inc.
  • NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors)
  • Served two terms on the NAPFA Midwest Regional Board
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Economics (Spanish minor), Oklahoma State University
  • ITT Fellow (Fulbright Commission), Catholic University Santiago, Chile
  • MBA, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (Concentrations: Finance, Accounting, Statistics)

Next Step

Check out the services page and see what fits, then schedule a call.

Services

Services

Here’s a menu of services available to you.


Click for more details on the services. Then use this link to schedule an initial call and provide your contact information. Complete the Getting Started Questionnaire before the call.

 

Retirement Planning with Portfolio Review

 


 

Getting Started with Retirement Planning

 


 

Hourly Consultations

 
 

Investment Supervisory Services

 


  • Some investors do not want to spend time or have capacity for setting up recommended portfolios, buying/selling to maintain allocations, etc., so are willing to pay an investment management fee to delegate those tasks. An investment management service offering portfolio setup and rebalancing services at a low cost can help investors maintain discipline, avoid costly mistakes, and perhaps reduce their own stress levels.
  • CGN Advisors offers professionally-managed, globally-diversified, low-cost portfolio strategies. Minimum portfolio management fees are 0.50%/year decreasing to 0.20%/year based on account size
  • In addition to the CGN Advisors portfolio management fees, clients pay fees based on my hourly rate and the time required. The initial setup fee is for work with clients to select investment strategy, create investment policy statement(s) and work with clients and the CGN Advisors portfolio team to open and transfer accounts. Typical Setup fees are generally 4-8 hours or $1,000-$2,000 based on the number and types of accounts.
  • Investment Supervisory Services require us to schedule portfolio reviews no less than annually. The fee for the reviews is based on time required to review any changes to your financial situation or goal, portfolio, and investment policy statement to determine if changes are appropriate. Annual reviews often include tax planning and updates to your financial or retirement plan. Time requirements are typically ½ to 2/3 of your initial financial planning fee.
 

Investment Portfolio Review

 


  • Typically $2,700 (ten hours) to $5,400 (20 hours) - Time required varies based on types of accounts, number of accounts, types of investments and number of investments. Please refer to Investment Principles. Recommendations for purchases are primarily no-load mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds with emphasis on low-cost broad based index funds. Tax implications of sales are considered when considering existing holdings with unrealized capital gains


    • Collaborate to review current investment portfolio and establish investment strategy and portfolio design that reflects your retirement time horizon, risk tolerance and capacity, and income tax outlook
    • Facilitate decision-making process to choose to “do-it-yourself” or to delegate investment supervision and management
    • Provide specific recommendations for each investment account based on portfolio design and instructions for self-directed investors or,
    • Facilitate search for fee-only investment supervisory services and management based on client criteria
    • Recommended ongoing (no less-than-annual) portfolio reviews and updated recommendations for “do-it-yourself” investors


    All fees are based on Leisa’s per hour rate of $270/hour.

    We may help identify estate planning needs and provide information about ways to transfer assets smoothly. We do not provide legal advice and always recommend you consult with a qualified attorney when you start or update your estate planning documents.


    Ready to Get Started?

    Think about what service would work for you, then use this link to schedule an initial call. Provide your contact information and complete the Getting Started Questionnaire before the call.

    Financial Planning Beliefs

    It’s important to understand what a financial advisor believes when you are looking for a good fit.


    Knowledge matters. Habits may matter more.

    Learning financial concepts is not “rocket science.” With knowledge, you can efficiently use your time and money to work toward your goals. Though it’s easier for those who grew up learning how to delay gratification, save and set goals, with persistence and encouragement, money habits can be changed.

    Speaking of Habits…Cash Management Matters.

    You must spend less than you earn to be successful with money. You may be a person who effortlessly saves “first” and limits spending to “the rest.” Or you may need a system to monitor spending and save enough to invest for long-term goals.

    Debt and Investing.

    Be careful when considering debt. Debt can wreck your financial health. Limiting debt and working to be debt free are good financial habits. With investing, focus on what you can control. You can control your stock/bond mix, investment costs and how your portfolio is managed. Resist complexity and ignore “noise”, including provocative media reports, talking-head or celebrity predictions, and short-term market movements. Investment success requires having a solid philosophy, strategy and discipline. For more of my investment principles, click here.

    Insurance for the What-If’s of Life.

    Bad things happen to good people. Life insurance is an important tool if loved ones depend on your income for their financial well-being.  It’s usually more cost effective to use separate insurance tools to transfer risks and investments to save for long term goals than to use insurance products to save for long term goals.  Disability, long term care insurance and other insurance can also play roles in financial plans.

    Financial Independence and Retirement.

    Today’s longer life expectancy means you may get to enjoy more years not working for money than people did in the past. Planning, saving, and investing with discipline can help prepare to live without working for money. As retirement nears, it’s important to plan how to spend your time and how to spend your money.

    Financial Planning is an Ongoing Process.

    Creating a financial plan provides a roadmap to financial success. Your financial life is a long journey. Many things will change and you may change your mind about where you want to go.  You’ll need to make course adjustments and decisions that can’t be foreseen now.

    The Value of Advice.

    A fiduciary fee-only advisor can help you evaluate your resources and options and create a plan.  An advisor can add value by helping you avoid costly, hard-to- reverse errors and encourage you to make progress toward your goals. 

    Investment Principles

    Diversification is Essential.

    Holding more than one asset class helps smooth volatile returns.


    Risk and Return are Linked and Risk Capacity and Tolerance Usually Decrease As Retirement Approaches.

    If the long-term goal is to build wealth, risk is required.


    Investment Costs Matter.

    Investment costs may include transaction costs, fees inside investment vehicles, sales fees and ongoing management fees. Costs reduce returns.


    Portfolios are Goal-Oriented.

    Portfolios exist to fund personal current cash flow needs or future cash flow goals.


    Portfolio structure drives after-tax returns over time.

    Studies show that investment returns are determined by the mix of asset classes held over time. “Asset-class location” strategies can increase after-tax returns.

    Active Management and Market Timing Don’t Work.

    Active management is a strategy where a manager chooses specific investments with the goal of outperforming an investment benchmark index.


    Annuities can be good investments for some retirees.

    Annuitization may help protect your standard of living in retirement.


    Investment Management – Doing it yourself or delegating it are both reasonable options.

    Some clients do a good job managing their investment accounts. I’m happy to work with clients who want advice and instructions to manage accounts on their own. Some clients don’t want to deal with setting up recommended portfolios, buying/selling to maintain allocations, etc., and are willing to pay an investment management fee to delegate those tasks. An investment management service that offers efficient portfolio setup and rebalancing services at a low cost can help investors maintain discipline, avoid costly mistakes and perhaps reduce their own stress levels.


    Investing involves substantial risk and has the potential for partial or complete loss of funds invested. Investments mentioned may not be suitable for all investors. Before investing in any investment product, potential investors should consult their financial or tax advisor, accountant, or attorney with regard to their specific situation.

    FAQ

    Who may not be a good fit?

    • Those seeking help with budget coaching or debt management.
    • Individuals or couples who have assets outside the United States or are not residents of the United States.
    • Those who want advice about relocating to a country outside the United States.
    • Those who cannot either travel to an office or use Zoom for virtual meetings.
    • Business owners who have employees or partners
    • Individuals seeking advice about rental real estate investment, cryptocurrencies, or direct interests in privately owned enterprises

    What happens when I schedule an Initial call?

    When you schedule the initial call, you complete the Getting Started Questionnaire. I email you with a Zoom passcode for the initial call.

    What happens after the initial call?

    If there seems to be a fit, we schedule a no-fee Get Acquainted meeting. I ask you to complete a Financial Data Questionnaire and send a list of information to have available for the meeting. The information usually includes but is not limited to tax returns, paystubs, and statements for your mortgages or debt and investment and retirement accounts.

    What happens during and after the Get-Acquainted meeting?

    We discuss your financial resources, obligations, and goals and how we could structure an engagement to address your objectives. After the meeting, I email a written proposal outlining the time required for the engagement, the expected number of meetings and expected deliverables with the proposed fee based on the time required. If you accept the proposal, I send a client services agreement reflecting the proposal for your electronic signatures.

    What happens when I sign a Client Services Agreement?

    I provide a list of information for you to upload through a secure link. When you have provided the information, I prepare for our first meeting and we schedule the meeting.

    How do clients pay you?

    At the end of the engagement,  CGN Advisors emails an invoice to you; clients use a link in the email to pay by checking account debit through the Intuit Payment Network. I do not accept credit card payments.

    What happens after the initial engagement?

    Clients often schedule annual updates for their financial plans. If we have a one-time agreement, we create a new agreement which may be one-time or ongoing. Clients who have an agreement for Investment Supervisory Services provided by CGN Advisors are required to have meetings at least annually. The fee for updates is based on the time required at my hourly rate.

    Contact Us

    Meeting Schedule


    Due to my current workload and commitments, I am not accepting new clients. Consider working with one of my CGN Advisors, LLC colleagues listed here: https://cgnadvisors.com/clientsorfind-an-advisor/find-an-advisor.


    Client meetings are available:

    9:00 am – 5:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
    5:00 pm – 7:00 pm one Tuesday or Thursday each month
        9:00 am – 12:00 pm one Saturday each month for clients returning after initial engagement

    Meetings may be scheduled on Mondays or Wednesday by request.