Michael Helveston
CFP®, CRPC®
Whitford Financial Planning
Founder and Financial Planner
Michael Helveston
CFP®, CRPC®
Whitford Financial Planning
Founder and Financial Planner
The most fulfilling aspect of financial planning is being able to create peace of mind for others. People are always going to worry about their finances to a certain degree, but I strive to give them confidence to make smart decisions that will improve their overall financial position. - Michael Helveston, CFP®, CRPC®
Fee-Only financial planner located in Exton, PA, serving clients locally and across the country
Michael Helveston is a Fee-Only financial advisor located in Exton, PA serving clients throughout the state and across the country. Whitford Financial Planning provides comprehensive financial planning to those experiencing a life change such as an inheritance, job change, or retirement. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Michael Helveston is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.
06/01/23 - Mike Helveston was interviewed by FeeOnlyNetwork.com
Why did you get into the financial planning business?
I wanted to help people make smart financial decisions, so I thought - what better way than
to learn about the industry and the economy myself so I could then pass that knowledge on to
others. I truly enjoy listening to others and their personal stories, especially when they can
share with me what is most important to them in their life.
What has surprised you the most when guiding people in their financial decisions?
The fact is as human beings we are programmed to fail when it comes to many financial
decisions and investing due to our emotions. We often follow the herd in hopes of chasing the
latest shooting star, then when things go wrong, we want to run away and consider selling
everything risky and go into protection mode. It’s my belief that the right mindset and the right
advice when you need it can keep you on the right path.
What is the biggest misconception about your job?
Financial Planning is simply the process of laying out what your goals are in life, gathering
key facts about yourself, such as your income and assets, then analyzing the data to figure out
what is possible. Yet people often think it’s expensive and that all advisors are only in it for
themselves. Once people learn about fee-only advisors who are fiduciaries and that financial
planning can also be done for a fixed fee, they are often surprised and relieved!
Tell me about a client situation where your experience and expertise added significant value
to the relationship.
Once I started doing tax planning, the lightbulb really went off for me about its money-
saving potential. For example, if you can take advantage of low-income years by using Roth IRA
conversions and high-income years by using tax losses and gifting strategies, you can
significantly reduce the total tax paid over the years, compared with just riding the ups and
downs.
What types of clients do you typically serve?
We serve clients in many different ways and specialize in helping those in transition. Many
people need guidance when their situation changes, such as receiving an inheritance, planning
for retirement or a job change. Our goal is to give them confidence and reduce the anxiety
associated with the new dynamics. We keep it simple to focus on just one step at a time!
Michael Helveston is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
NAPFA members live by three important values:
- To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
- To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
- To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.
Whitford Financial Planning's Purpose
We are in the business of financial planning to help others simplify and organize their finances. You need an accountability partner who understands what is important to you and can break-down your financial decisions into one manageable thing at a time. We help you gather the pieces of your financial puzzle and connect them together, to give you the piece of mind to live the meaningful life you've imagined.
Seeking the right financial advisor can be an overwhelming process because there are so many options. How do you know which firm or approach is right for your when they all sound the same? Here are the 'We Believes' that make Whitford Financial Planning unique.
We Believe...
- That Recommendations Should Be In Your Best Interest On A Fee-Only Basis.
- That An Adviser Needs To Meet You Where You Are Through Listening And Empathy.
- That After-Tax Returns Should Be The Focus Instead Of Trying To 'Out Smart' The Market.
- That Low-Cost Investments Are The Best Way To Keep More Of What You Earn.
- That Short-Term Market Volatility Should Be Properly Understood Before Long-Term Investing Can Begin.
- That Financial Planning Should Be Kept Simple To Focus On One Step At A Time.
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Inheritance Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Job Change
- Tax Planning
- Investment Management
Ideal Clients
- Sudden Money Situations
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Experiencing Job Transition
- Growing Families
- Business Owners and Executives
Working Together
- In-Office Meetings
- Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Fees
- No Product Sales
- 1x or Ongoing Advice
Professional Designations & Affiliations
-
Michael Helveston is a NAPFA-Registered Financial AdvisorThe National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.
-
Michael Helveston is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for VerificationCFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.
-
Michael Helveston is a member of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®)FPA® is the largest membership organization for CFP® professionals in the U.S. and supports high standards of professional competence, ethical conduct, and clear, complete disclosure when serving clients.
-
Michael Helveston is a Member of the XY Planning NetworkThe XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.
-
Michael Helveston is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ (Learn More)The Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠ or CRPC® designation is a premier retirement planning credential. The CRPC® program covers all aspects of the retirement process in a single comprehensive program with no product or advising biases.
Contact Michael Helveston
Office Locations:
-
600 Eagleview Blvd.
Suite 300
Exton, PA 19341
