How Seriously Do You Take Fiduciary Duty? Hot

SherylCPASherylCPA  
 
 
0.0 (0)
Write Review

Caring about clients does not mean loaning them money or planning their daughter's wedding. It doesn't even mean your clients will never leave you.  After all, they might move away or their son might get a job working for AG Edwards.  In any event, while they are clients, I feel it is my job to care.

 

Let me tell you a story.  An elderly widow came into my office and said to me, “My husband told me that after he’s gone, I should come to you.  He did all kinds of research and assured me that you would take care of me.”  This really struck me.  I was certain I never met this man and was not sure if I had even talked to him!  Yet, I was instructed by his ghost to take care of this woman, Maggie, so it would be.

 

A few years later, I got a phone call from Maggie.  She sobbed that her son had died in Los Angeles and, due to a technicality, she was not listed as “next of kin.”  According to the coroner’s office, she would have to wait two weeks before her son’s body could be released to her.  “I just want to be able to bury my boy in San Diego”, she cried, “My dream last night told me to call you – that you would be able to help.”  I had two thoughts:  How was this part of my job description? And, how could I possibly help her?

 

I remembered my unspoken promise to her deceased husband and knew I had to try.  I called a lawyer friend in San Diego, who referred me to another attorney.  After explaining the predicament, she concluded that to petition the court would be expensive and would likely not result in a faster resolution.  I was disheartened, but decided to try another angle.  I contacted a client in Los Angeles who happens to be an entertainment attorney.  Even though this wasn’t his area of specialty (like it was mine?), he offered to call the coroner’s office.  After a while, he called to tell me that he couldn’t get them to budge.  It was the law and Maggie would just need to wait the two weeks.

 

Feeling disappointed, I gathered myself for the unhappy phone call I needed to make.  Although I knew I had done my best, I still felt that I had let Maggie down.  Just as I reached for the phone, the entertainment attorney called back.  “I just couldn’t let this go”, he said, “I had to try one more time.  I called the coroner’s office again and asked them to please give this poor lady a break.”  And they did!

 

Somehow, Maggie’s dream had come true.  I was able to help – with a little help from my attorney client.  I didn’t make any extra money from accomplishing this feat.  But, the relief in her voice was well worth the effort.

 

And, so, I ask you this:  How seriously do you take your fiduciary duty?

 

This Website Is For Financial Professionals Only


User reviews

There are no user reviews for this listing.
Already have an account? or Create an account

A Strategically Focused CE Curriculum

With classes approved for over a decade by the CFP Board, IWI, and NASBA, Advisors4Advisors CE classes are an optimal knowledge stream for CFP®, CIMA®, CPA, CPA/PFS®, CFA®, and other practitioners. It's not a grab bag of speakers willing to sponsor CE content. Nor is it a one-man CE course. It's a group of subject matter experts with amazing communication skills and a history of thought leadership that, together, give advisors a well-rounded knowledge system for running a professional practice ethically and intelligently.

CE Since October 2008

A4A CE classes for financial professionals began in October 2008, the week Lehman Bros. collapsed. Initially billed as “The Financial Crisis Webinar Series,” A4A connects advisors with authoritative sources on investing, tax, and financial planning, chosen by A4A Editor Andrew Gluck, a veteran financial reporter. A4A members get a stream of CE classes for an advisor who: 

  • holds a CFP®, CIMA®, CPA, CPA/PFS, CFA or other designation requiring CE annually 
  • values monthly CE classes by Fritz Meyer, Craig Israelsen, Frank Murtha, or Andrew Gluck
  • diversifies a core of client portfolios in low-expense funds
  • invests based on MPT and economic fundamentals
  • advises on tax and financial planning as well as investing
  • needs financial counseling skills
  • wants the Certified Financial Counselor™ designation 
  • is building a brand as a thought leader locally or in a niche
  • wants the facts when bad news breaks
  • wants CE aligned with a content marketing system
  • wants 24/7 access to CE on-demand
  • insists on objective evidenced-based tax and investment planning analysis

 

MEMBER REVIEWS 
William Desormeau, Jr.  
It is not possible for me to overstate the cumulative value that Craig and Fritz have added for over 10 years to my investment advisory practice, as well as for personal and family financial planning. A4A gets my highest recommendation
Lynn Najman, CFP®
I’ve subscribed to A4A since its inception, and always find it intellectually stimulating and on point. It’s one of the few CE solutions out there that doesn’t waste my time by pushing product or talking down to me.

PeteDeacon-CPA-CFP
Pete Deacon, CPA, CFP®
A4A has had a profound effect on my business. Since 2009, I’ve relied on the consistent messaging and updates to run my business successfully. Being able to present the information from Fritz, and Craig's ongoing CE webinars has been a significant benefit.

fredericMayersen-phd-cfp
Fredric Mayerson, MBA, PhD, CFP®
I've been a financial professional and professor of finance for 35 years and find Fritz Meyer to be among the most engaging, incredibly knowledgeable, and experienced presenters I’ve encountered. They deliver an extraordinary amount of information in an extremely interesting way — sequentially and developmentally, utilizing pedagogical tools and techniques that few possess.  A4A to is the most consistently excellent CE program available.  
Ron Roge, MS, CFP®
I’ve been attending A4A many years because the CE classes are outstanding, and my time is valuable. Though I have over 35 years of experience, I’m always learning something new on A4A. I attend fewer conferences now because the CE is generally not advanced. If you want to learn from the best, in a faster, easier, and less expensive way, I highly recommend A4A.

John R. Day, CPA/PFS®

I’ve been a member since 2011 and never miss the monthly webinars with Fritz Meyer. I appreciate Fritz’s independent views on the economy keeps me updated on excellent  planning ideas. A4A is a great value!
NormanPolitzinerCFP

Norman Politziner, CFP

I wouldn't miss a Fritz Meyer webinar unless my pants were on fire. I've relied on Andrew Gluck's knowledge systems --client communications and CE -- for two decades. It's simply the best solution for tax, financial, investment, and risk-management professionals.®   

Dan Hawley, CFP® 

A4A, for over a decade, has been a great resource for useful and accurate information and CE. A4A and Advisor Products are bargains for an advisory practice. 

KevinBrosious-CFP-CPA-PFS

Kevin Brosious, MBA, CFP®, CPA/PFS®

I get CPA CE credit and CFP credit for the webinars.  But not only that, the A4A content is terrific