At a recent conference, I was listening in while an advisor discussed a new industry buzz term — the Family Office. I knew the concept well — having a network of trusted professional peers that I source for my company and my clients. This advisor explained how he was the insurance guru, but that he also had a great accountant and lawyer, people he trusted for himself and for his clients. These professionals did the same with him, sourcing his expert insurance advice to inform and enhance the services they offered. The second advisor was not convinced. It all seems so complex. I couldn’t help jumping into the conversation.

After introductions, I posed this simple question: “If you’re building a house, don’t you think you’d need a carpenter, a plumber, and an electrician? Would you expect a plumber to wire your house or a carpenter to install your hot water pipes?” Thinking of my own role in all this, I extended the metaphor, “And isn’t the starting point in all this an architect to create the design in the first place?”

The advisor answered, “That’s exactly what I’d need, why?”.

“The diverse experts needed to build a house are like the diverse experts needed to build and execute a complete financial plan,” I explained. “At my company, we’re the architects in a financial Family Office team.” Here’s what I meant.

Before you get the team involved and source their input, you need to fully grasp the client’s current situation, their history, their desired or anticipated future, and their wishes even beyond the end of their lives. Even the best financial planning software can’t meaningfully integrate all of these nuanced details. Why? Just as every human being is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all financial solution. Seeing that big picture and fully integrating all factors into one cohesive plan is what Serre Financial can do as part of your Family Office team.

At that critical initial planning stage, we follow our unique Analysis and Roadmap Process to produce a complete understanding of each client, with clear objectives and incisive focus. We scope out the big picture, then design a blueprint that considers and integrates each individual, their family, their business, and their long-term personal wishes. Our blueprints reflect the client’s situation now, at retirement, when they exit from their business, and from an estate planning point of view. With a solid, in-depth plan in hand, you can then bring in other partners in your Family Office team to begin a fully informed, successful implementation for your client.

As in any successful Family Office team, your success and your clients’ success is our success. Learn more how Serre Financial can be the architect of your winning Family Office financial advising team.

Give us a call at (866) 927-0111 or reach out at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn how we can help you and your business owner clients plan and save now for a prosperous tomorrow.