Many patients have a medical team in place to maintain their well-being and address any issues that come up. This is usually headed up by a primary care physician and can include a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, optometrist, dietician, and a range of other specialists. In order to maintain health, the expertise of practitioners from several fields of study is usually advisable.
The same is true for your financial well-being. You should have a team of trusted experts in place to help you achieve and maintain your fiscal health. The following are some of your key players.
Financial advisor/planner. US News and World Report describes this expert as your quarterback. In a sense, this is the person who oversees the whole operation and has a complete picture of your finances. They can help you determine where you should invest and how best to leverage growth opportunities. They should provide individualized advice that takes into consideration how far away you are from retirement, how much in student loans you are carrying, and whether you intend to pay for your children’s education.
Accountant. For most physicians, filing your taxes online is not really an option—especially if you own your own practice or have a diverse investment portfolio. You want to make sure that you are doing everything you can to legally lessen your tax burden. Hiring someone with a certified public accountant (CPA) certification is something you should strongly consider. Maintaining this designation requires a great deal of continuing education and can help to ensure that your tax planner is up to date on the ever-changing tax laws.
Estate planner. No one wants to think of their own mortality, but there are key documents you need to have in place to protect your family. Try to find an estate planning attorney who has experience working with physicians—especially if you own your own medical practice and need succession planning and a buy-out agreement.
Insurance advisor. This often-overlooked team member can be a key player in your financial protection strategy. Make sure that the life you worked so hard to build is preserved for your loved ones. Choose an insurance advisor who can help you with a range of policies and who is committed to providing you with customized service that is always in your best interest.
While building your team, make sure they can all comfortably communicate with one another. One way to accomplish this is to ask your financial planner or other team member for recommendations. This doesn’t mean you have to go with their picks, but it will give you an advantage in building relationships between team members.
