1. What differentiates you from other financial advisors?
 

• Specialization - We specialize in working with time-constrained executives to
  optimize the value of their company provided benefit plans including stock
  options, restricted stock, deferred compensation and other benefit programs.
  
  Significant first hand business and personal finance experience in dealing with
  the same issues our clients face every day as they seek to achieve their financial
  goals and improve their financial position.
  
  
• Independent – We are not affiliated with any broker/dealer, insurance or other
  financial services company.   As such, we have no obligation or incentive to
  recommend a specific company’s products or services.

• Fee Only – We do not receive commissions or sales fees from third parties.  Our
  advice to clients is not influenced by how much we may make from the client
  implementing our recommendations.

• Adherance to a fiduciary oath – We adhere to the National Association of
  Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Fiduciary Oath .  This means that we put the
  client’s interest before our own when making and implementing
  recommendations.  
  
  
• Adherance to a code of ethics – We adhere to both the NAPFA Code of Ethics
  and the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) Board’s Code of Ethics.  
  These codes define the principles and rules by which we operate our business.  

2. How are you compensated?

• Our only compensation is the fees paid to us by our clients for the services we
  provide.  We do not sell any products nor receive commissions from product
  recommendations.  Please see our form ADV for more specific information on
  fees and compensation.  Our form ADV can be accessed by entering our firm's  
  IARD/CRD number of 147097 on the SEC's Investment Adviser Search web
  page:
  http://www.adviserinfo.sec.gov/IAPD/Content/Search/iapd_OrgSearch.aspx

3. How long does the initial planning and implementation process typically take?

• For most clients the initial planning and implementation process takes one to
  three months to complete from the first call.  More complex situations may
  require more time.  Often the planning and implementation schedule is driven by
  client availability, document turnaround time, and the amount of time clients
  need to make important decisions regarding the various options available to
  them in developing and implementing their financial plan.

4. Is Avalon Financial Advisors a wealth management firm?

• Yes, Avalon Financial Advisors is a wealth management firm.  Our services
  include coordinating and administering a broad range of financial affairs for
  individuals and families.

5. Is Avalon Financial Advisors an investment management firm?

• Yes, Avalon Financial Advisors is an investment management firm that provides
  ongoing management of clients' investment portfolios.  As part of our
  comprehensive service offering, we review existing client investments, provide
  recommendations as to portfolio allocation and composition, effect recommended
  changes, regularly monitor investment performance and re-balance the portfolio
  as warranted.

6. What is the difference between wealth management and investment management?

• Investment management services are focused on managing the client’s
  investment assets while wealth management services are more comprehensive
  and include providing ongoing advice and management of a mutually agreed
  upon range of financial affairs for the client.

7. Do you prepare income tax returns?

• Avalon Financial Advisors does not prepare tax returns for clients. However, Andy McVay and his wife Dawn own and operate a separate tax practice doing business as McVay Tax & Financial, LLC (MT&F). All tax related services are separately provided and billed by MT&F. Likewise, MT&F does not provide financial planning, investment advice or investment/wealth management services to clients

8. What is NAPFA?

• The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is an
  organization of fee-only financial planners that promotes some of the strictest
  guidelines for professional competency, ethics, comprehensive financial planning,
  and Fee-Only compensation. With more than 1,300 members across the country,
  NAPFA is the leading professional association in the United States dedicated to
  the advancement of comprehensive, fee-only financial planning. For more
  information about NAPFA, please visit http://www.napfa.org/about/index.asp

9. What does Fee-Only mean?

• A Fee-Only financial advisor is an advisor who, in all circumstances, is
  compensated solely by the client, with neither the advisor nor any related party
  receiving compensation that is contingent on the purchase or sale of a financial
  product.  A NAPFA member or affiliate may not receive commissions, rebates,
  awards, finder's fees, bonuses or any form of compensation from third parties as
  a result of a client's implementation of the advisors recommendations.

©2023 Avalon Financial Advisors, Andrew P. McVay, Principal.  All Rights Reserved.

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