Our Approach

Personalized financial planning

A recent study shows that only 1/3 of Canadians felt “they knew a lot” about what a financial plan is and how it can help them. Notably, 75% of those polled that had both an advisor and a financial plan said that their plan focused solely on investments rather than looking at their whole financial picture.1

However, Canadians with an all-encompassing financial plan are three times as likely to feel “very confident” that they will achieve their goals compared to those without a detailed plan.1 An in-depth financial plan will include an analysis of cash flow, debt, insurance, and taxes, as well as retirement planning and estate planning.

Not sure where to start? That’s where we come in! We help families develop financial plans that are unique to their complex needs.

1 Maddie Johnson, Too few Canadians have or understand in-depth financial plans: study. Advisor's Edge, November 12, 2021.

The Blue Heron Approach

With the IC Blue Heron Advisory Group, our approach is unique and tailored to you.

  • We don’t put the cart before the horse. We take the time to understand your goals and your financial situation before recommending investments.
  • We offer a consistent point of contact. Graham and Neil founded the group in 2013. They are backed by a strong, long-tenured professional team.
  • Because we believe financial planning is of the utmost importance, we have the capability built into our team rather than outsourced. The time we spend together working on your plan builds mutual understanding and trust. This earned context informs your saving, spending, retirement, gifting, estate and investment plan.
  • We provide ongoing decision support so you can make informed choices. Not sure if you can afford to travel, or help your children buy a home? Our detailed projections will help you decide.
  • We’ll tell you if you’re on track to meet your goals. If you’re not, we’ll outline a plan to help you get there.

What can you expect?

Financial planning doesn’t have to be intimidating. We’ll use our expertise to bring you peace of mind.

Introductory meeting

To start, we’ll have an introductory conversation to understand you and your financial situation. If you’re uncertain about your goals, we’ll help you clarify and set them effectively.

Fact gathering

We’ll provide you with detailed questionnaires to assess your current savings, debts, long-term needs, and risk comfort. This information helps us tailor our approach to your specific situation.

A draft plan for discussion

We will meet to review a draft of your financial plan. This meeting will help us align on your situation, challenges, and goals. Your feedback is vital, and we’ll adjust the plan until it meets your needs.

Take action

Once we agree on the path forward, we’ll outline the actions and investments required to support your plan. This ensures you have a clear roadmap to follow and understand how.

Ongoing review

We will regularly update your plan to ensure it remains appropriate and relevant as your life circumstances change. This ongoing adjustment helps you make informed decisions and stay on track.