Business Questions:

What is Schreiner Financial Solutions and what do you do?

Schreiner Financial Solutions (SFS) is a fee-only financial planning firm that offers personalized financial advice on an hourly basis. We specialize in general financial planning, retirement projections, portfolio allocation, and tax preparation, with a focus on Schedule C (sole proprietorship) and Schedule E (rental real estate) returns. Our mission is to help individuals take control of their financial future through practical, ethical guidance.

What does “fee-only” mean, and why is it important?

“Fee-only” (often referred to as “advice-only”) means that we are compensated solely by the fees we charge for our services, not by commissions or product sales. This model ensures that our advice is completely unbiased and that we always act in the best interests of our clients. There are no hidden fees or conflicts of interest, making fee-only planning an ethical and transparent way to get financial advice.

Are you a fiduciary?

Yes, Schreiner Financial Solutions operates as a fiduciary. This means the business is legally and ethically obligated to act in your best interests at all times, providing advice that is free from conflicts of interest and solely focused on your financial well-being.

How is your business different from other financial planning firms?

SFS stands out because we offer services on an hourly basis, allowing clients to pay only for the time they need. We don’t manage investments or sell financial products, which keeps our advice conflict-free. Our focus on ethical, personalized guidance tailored to each client’s unique situation ensures you get advice that truly benefits you. Additionally, we have a strong emphasis on tax planning, especially for sole proprietors and rental property owners.

Who is your ideal client?

Our ideal clients are individuals and couples, small business owners, and rental property owners who want personalized financial advice without the pressure of ongoing fees or product sales. We work best with people who are ready to take charge of their financial futures, whether they’re looking for retirement planning, investment advice, or help with taxes. Clients who value ethical, fee-only financial planning will find our approach refreshing and helpful. Quite often we work with clients we describe as “do-it-yourselfers” and “validators.”

What does it mean to work with a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and an Enrolled Agent (EA)?

A CFP® is a professional designation that signifies expertise in financial planning, including retirement, investment, estate, and tax planning. An EA, or Enrolled Agent, is a tax professional enrolled to practice before the IRS, which means I am authorized to represent clients before the IRS on tax matters, same as an attorney or CPA. By working with both a CFP® and an EA, you get the best of both worlds—comprehensive financial advice and in-depth tax knowledge.

Can you help with investment advice and portfolio allocation?

Yes, we provide personalized investment advice, focusing on creating a portfolio that aligns with your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. While we do not manage investments directly, we guide you on selecting low-cost, diversified investments such as index funds and ETFs. Clients are empowered to implement their portfolios independently.

Do you manage investments for clients?

No, SFS does not manage investments. Instead, we provide advice on how to allocate your portfolio based on your financial goals and risk tolerance. Clients then implement the plan themselves, usually through low-cost platforms like Vanguard or Fidelity. This approach gives you control over your investments while benefiting from professional guidance. We never handle client assets, nor do we have any access to any of your financial accounts.

Can you help with retirement planning?

Yes, we specialize in retirement planning and projections. We help clients understand how much they need to save, what investments might be best for their goals, and when they can realistically retire. We also provide guidance on tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and Social Security timing.

Payment and Pricing:

How do you charge for your services?

We charge for services on an hourly basis, meaning you only pay for the time you need. This transparent pricing model ensures there are no hidden fees or ongoing costs. You’ll know exactly what you’re paying for, whether it's a single consultation or a few sessions.

What are your rates?

Our hourly rate is $200. This applies to all financial planning services, from retirement projections to portfolio allocation. We will meet with you to determine how long we estimate the work you want done will take and give you the cost at that time. For tax preparation, fees typically range from $150 to $900, depending on the complexity of the return. This flexible pricing ensures you only pay for the services you need, without any hidden costs.

Do you have any upfront fees or ongoing costs?

No, there are no upfront fees. However, a deposit of 50% of the estimated fees, or $500—whichever is smaller—is required when you sign the contract. This deposit will be applied toward the cost of your services, and you’ll only pay for the actual time spent working on your financial plan or providing advice. This ensures that your costs are directly tied to the value you receive throughout our meetings. Tax return preparation fees are due before filing.

How do clients pay for services?

Clients can pay via several convenient methods including credit card, debit card, or check. We are not advanced enough to take newer forms of payment like Venmo and bitcoin, and possibly never will be.

Client Process and Experience:

What is the process for working with you?

The process begins with an initial consultation where we discuss your financial goals, concerns, and the specific areas where you need help. During this initial meeting, we determine the scope of work, and we provide an estimate of how much time it will take. From there, we schedule sessions based on your needs—whether it's for financial planning, investment advice, or tax preparation. Each session is designed to be flexible and focused on providing actionable advice.

What should I expect during our first meeting?

During our first meeting, we will discuss your current financial situation, goals, and what you hope to achieve through financial planning. It’s an opportunity for us to get to know each other, for you to ask questions, and for us to understand how we can help. There’s no pressure or obligation—just an honest conversation to determine how we can work together.

What should I bring to our meetings?

For our preliminary meeting, there will be a list of relevant financial documents such as recent tax returns, investment statements, retirement account information, and a short summary of your income, expenses, and debts to bring, along with the completed Confidential Client Questionnaire. Filling out the questionnaire and bringing the requested documents are key to a successful meeting. The more information you provide, the better we can tailor our advice to your specific situation.

Do you meet with clients in person or virtually?

We offer both in-person and virtual meetings to accommodate your preferences and schedule. Virtual meetings are conducted via video conferencing, making it easy to work with clients near and far. For local clients, in-person meetings are available if preferred.

 How many meetings do you typically recommend for financial planning?

The number of meetings depends on your specific needs. Some clients only need one or two sessions to address a particular concern, while others may benefit from periodic check-ins throughout the year.

Can you work with clients outside of Washington State?

Yes, we can work with clients in other states, thanks to virtual meetings and online communication. While we are based in Washington State, we provide financial planning and tax services to clients across the U.S., as long as state-specific tax regulations or licensing requirements are considered.

Investment Philosophy:

What is your investment philosophy?

At Schreiner Financial Solutions, our investment philosophy focuses on simplicity, diversification, and low costs. We believe in long-term, mostly passive investing through a well-balanced portfolio of low-cost index funds and ETFs. By minimizing fees and avoiding high-risk speculation, we help clients build portfolios that align with their financial goals while reducing unnecessary risk.

How do you select the investments you recommend?

We base our investment recommendations on your unique financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. We primarily focus on low-cost, broadly diversified funds like index funds and ETFs, which offer market exposure without the high fees associated with actively managed funds. Our recommendations are designed to help you grow your wealth while minimizing unnecessary risk.

Do you recommend specific mutual funds, ETFs, or index funds?

Yes, we often recommend low-cost mutual funds, ETFs, and index funds as part of a diversified investment strategy. The specific funds will depend on your financial goals and risk tolerance, but we prioritize investments that keep costs low and provide broad market exposure.

What types of securities do you provide advice on?

We provide recommendations on a range of securities, including mutual funds, ETFs, bonds, and other fixed income sources, as well as certain annuities. While we may include individual stocks in a portfolio, we do not evaluate or provide specific advice on individual stocks beyond guiding how much of your portfolio should be allocated to them. If we recommend selling a stock, it's typically because it is overweighted in your portfolio, not based on a detailed analysis of that stock. We will retain stocks in your portfolio if you choose, but this will be based on your preferences, not because we recommend it.

What do you think about low-cost, passive investing?

We strongly support low-cost, passive investing. It’s a proven strategy that helps reduce the impact of fees and market timing risks while providing consistent long-term returns. By focusing on passive investments like index funds, you gain exposure to the entire market rather than attempting to pick individual stocks, which often underperform over time.

How often do you review or update investment strategies for clients?

We recommend reviewing your investment strategy at least once a year or when major life changes occur. While we encourage a long-term, "set it and forget it" approach to investing, periodic reviews ensure that your portfolio remains aligned with your evolving goals and risk tolerance. We also suggest rebalancing when necessary to maintain your target asset allocation.

Moral Philosophy and Ethics:

What are your ethical standards as a fee-only planner?

As a fee-only planning firm, we adhere to the highest ethical standards. This includes providing completely unbiased advice that is free from conflicts of interest. Because we don’t earn commissions or sell financial products, our sole focus is on what’s best for you. Transparency, honesty, and putting the client’s interests first are at the core of our business.

What does it mean to be a member of the Garrett Planning Network?

The Garrett Planning Network (GPN) is a community of fee-only financial planners committed to making competent, objective financial advice accessible to people from all walks of life. GPN members offer advice on an hourly, as-needed basis, which allows clients to get help without ongoing fees or high minimum asset requirements. This model empowers individuals to access professional, ethical financial guidance—whether they need a single consultation or ongoing support—without the pressure to buy products or engage in long-term service agreements.

How does your business align with the fiduciary standard?

As a fee-only CFP® professional and Enrolled Agent (EA), I am held to a high fiduciary standard, meaning I am legally and ethically obligated to put your best interests first at all times. The CFP® Board sets the fiduciary standards for Certified Financial Planners, requiring that I act with integrity, objectivity, and always in the best interest of my clients in financial planning matters. As an EA, I am enrolled to practice before the IRS, which holds me to strict ethical standards in tax preparation and representation. These dual designations ensure that my advice and services prioritize your financial and tax well-being, free from conflicts of interest or outside incentives.

Why do you believe fee-only financial planning is the most ethical model?

Fee-only financial planning removes the conflicts of interest inherent in commission-based models. Since we don’t sell products or receive compensation from third parties, the advice we give is solely based on what’s best for you. This approach aligns with our belief that ethical financial planning should be transparent, unbiased, and always in the client’s best interest.

Miscellaneous:

Why should I hire a financial planner if I can do it myself?

While it’s possible to manage your finances on your own, working with a financial planner provides expert guidance that can save you time, help you avoid costly mistakes, and give you confidence that your financial decisions are sound. A professional can offer a fresh perspective, ensure you’re on the right track, and help you optimize areas of your financial life you may not have considered.

How do you stay current with financial trends and changes in the law?

As a CFP® and EA, I am committed to ongoing education and professional development. I regularly attend industry conferences, complete continuing education courses, and stay updated on changes in tax law, financial planning strategies, and market trends to ensure that my advice is always relevant and informed.

How does your fee-only model benefit clients?

The fee-only model benefits clients by eliminating conflicts of interest. Because we are only paid for my time, and not through commissions or product sales, we can offer truly unbiased advice. This transparency ensures that my recommendations are solely based on what’s best for your financial future.

What steps do you take to ensure client privacy and data security?

Client privacy and data security are top priorities. We use secure, encrypted systems for all communications and document storage to protect your personal information. We also follow industry best practices to ensure that your data is safe and never shared without your consent.

Are your services tax-deductible?

In some states, fees paid for financial planning services may be tax-deductible, but currently they are not at the federal level (excluding business planning.) However, tax laws change frequently, so we recommend discussing this with me during tax planning sessions or consulting your tax professional to determine your eligibility.

Do you offer ongoing financial reviews or check-ins?

Yes, we offer ongoing reviews and check-ins for clients who want continuous support. These reviews can be scheduled annually, quarterly, or as needed to ensure you stay on track with your financial goals. We’ll adjust your plan as necessary based on changes in your life or financial situation.