In this episode of The Smarter Planner Podcast, host Belle Osvath, CFP®, welcomes Erik Brenner, President and CEO of Hilltop Wealth and Tax Solutions.

Erik shares how his firm has adopted a "personal CFO" approach inspired by the traditional family office model historically reserved for ultra-wealthy families and adapted it for middle-income clients who face increasingly complex financial decisions.

Rather than focusing solely on investment management, Erik and his team integrate in-house tax planning, accounting services, and estate coordination into a centralized advisory experience. The goal: simplify the financial lives of clients while proactively mitigating their largest long-term expense; taxes.

Erik also outlines the operational realities of launching a tax division including hiring the right talent, acquiring existing practices, and aligning incentives so the tax business becomes sustainable rather than a loss leader.

As advisory services continue to evolve, Erik challenges planners to consider where the industry will be five years from now and whether asset management alone will be enough to stand out.

Guest Links Website: https://hilltopwealthtax.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikbrenner

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The Smarter Planner Podcast is produced by the Financial Planning Association National Capital Area Chapter (FPA NCA) for educational purposes only. Belle Osvath and FPA NCA do not endorse specific individuals or services mentioned.