Michael Helveston
CFP®, CRPC®
Whitford Financial Planning
Founder and Financial Planner
Planning for a successful retirement involves more than making sure you will have enough money. We coordinate your investments, tax strategies, retirement income needs, and legacy goals to get your personal finances running at peak efficiency.
I am Fee-Only
I do not accept commission, referral fees, or compensation of any kind based on selling financial products, without exception.
I am a Fiduciary
I will put your best interests first, and fully disclose and manage unavoidable conflicts fairly in your favor, at all times.
Things to Know
Whitford Financial Planning provides Ongoing Planning with Investment Management to help clients organize, grow, and protect their assets through life's transitions
Located in Exton, PA with additional meeting locations. We can meet face-to-face and also offer virtual meetings for clients across the country.
As a fee-only and fiduciary financial advisor, Michael Helveston is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased financial advice
Get to Know Michael Helveston
Michael Helveston is the author of "Achieving Financial Fulfillment". Learn more about the book and get your copy on Amazon.
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!
I Can Help You With:
- Inheritance Planning
- Retirement Planning
- Tax Planning
- Investment Management
Ideal Clients:
- Inheritors
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Business Owners and Executives
- High Net Worth Individuals and Families
FAQ with Michael Helveston
- Is there anyone who is not a good fit to work with you?
- How often do you meet with your clients?
- What is most unique about Whitford Financial Planning compared to other firms?
Michael Helveston's Designations and Affiliations
Michael Helveston holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor™ Professional Designation
Media Mentions and Industry Involvement
Office Locations
600 Eagleview Blvd., Suite 300 - Exton, PA 19341