In this episode, Steven Jarvis, CPA, is joined by Brian Beck to discuss how financial professionals can build a practice around proactive tax planning. Brian shares how his firm has incorporated taxes into every client conversation for more than 30 years and why tax planning should begin immediately after tax season ends rather than waiting until year-end. They discuss the benefits of a subscription-based model, how it encourages clients to stay engaged with their financial planning, and how advisors can create stronger relationships with CPAs through collaboration instead of competition. Brian also explains how his firm structures CPA partnerships, handles tax preparation through outside providers, and the importance of understanding compliance requirements when adding tax services. The conversation highlights practical steps advisors can take to become more comfortable with tax conversations, including reviewing tax returns and learning the language of tax professionals.

https://zurl.co/1MQqn

In this episode, Steven Jarvis, CPA, is joined by communication expert Chris Fenning to discuss how financial professionals can communicate complex topics in a way that clients can understand, trust, and act on. They explore why expert language and industry jargon can create confusion, even when advisors have the best intentions, and how small changes in communication can make a significant impact. Steven and Chris discuss how to recognize when a client may not fully understand a conversation, the importance of using relatable explanations and analogies, and how to simplify information without losing its value. They also share practical strategies advisors can use to prepare for client conversations, practice their explanations, and build stronger communication skills that improve the client experience.

https://zurl.co/LZgWS

Steven Jarvis welcomes back financial advisor Jim Young to discuss how tax planning has evolved over the past five years and why reviewing actual tax returns still matters. Jim shares how today's tax planning software has made advisors more efficient, but explains why it shouldn't replace understanding a client's return line by line. The discussion highlights the difference between reviewing a tax return and actually providing tax planning that helps clients make better decisions. Steven and Jim also explore how recent tax law changes created new planning opportunities, making it even more important for advisors to understand what's happening on the return.

https://zurl.co/uVXAx

Steven Jarvis is joined by Andrew Herman, software engineer at Holistiplan and former CFP®, to discuss what advisors often get wrong about Roth conversion planning. They explore why successful Roth conversion strategies are built around tax bracket arbitrage, not eye-catching lifetime tax savings projections, and why estimating future tax brackets is often more valuable than trying to predict exact future income. Steven and Andrew also talk about the challenge of helping clients see the value of paying taxes today for benefits they may not realize for many years. Along the way, they discuss how technology can strengthen an advisor's recommendations without replacing professional judgment, and Andrew shares his thoughts on the next generation of planning tools that could optimize Roth conversion strategies based on each client's unique goals.

https://zurl.co/WbWjZ

In this episode, Steven Jarvis, CPA, is joined by Stephen Delaney, Senior Client Success Consultant at Belay, to discuss one of the biggest challenges advisors face: finding the right people to help execute their vision. Rather than focusing on tax strategies, this conversation dives into how advisors can reclaim their time through effective delegation and hiring. Stephen shares how Belay vets thousands of applicants to match clients with highly qualified Executive Assistants and Client Services Assistants. The discussion explores why hiring is a skill that improves with experience, the importance of systems and processes, and how delegation creates more time to serve clients. Whether you're hesitant to hire your first assistant or looking to improve your hiring process, this episode provides practical insights to help you take action.

https://zurl.co/N1OwP

Today, Steven Jarvis, CPA, is joined by Darren Whissen from Invito to explore what it actually looks like for RIAs to implement alternative investments in practice. Darren shares his background running an RIA where nearly half of the client assets were allocated to illiquid alternative investments. Darren also walks through the compliance infrastructure required to support an alternatives program, including WSP updates, due diligence processes, and supervision requirements. The discussion highlights common pitfalls advisors should avoid, including poor manager selection, overly optimistic projections, and overconcentration in client portfolios.

https://zurl.co/MZkQl

In this episode, Steven Jarvis, CPA, is joined by Ben Cruikshank, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Flourish, for a conversation about the intersection of banking, cash management, and tax planning. Ben shares insights from working with thousands of advisors and affluent households, including the surprising amount of cash clients often hold outside of advisory relationships. Together, Steven and Ben discuss why truly comprehensive financial planning requires visibility into all aspects of a client's financial life - not just investment accounts.

https://zurl.co/NIchD

This episode explores how AI is changing the way financial advisors approach tax planning and client service. Steven Jarvis speaks with Fernando San Martin from Altruist about Hazel, an AI-powered tax planning tool designed to help advisors uncover opportunities in tax returns. Fernando explains that the focus is not on replacing advisors or CPAs, but on enhancing their ability to deliver consistent, high-quality insights at scale. The conversation highlights how tools like Hazel can surface tax-saving opportunities, save advisors time, and improve client conversations around tax strategy. They also discuss the importance of starting with client outcomes before selecting tools and how AI can help bridge the gap between personalization and scale.

https://zurl.co/X2oJU

Matthew Doran joins Steven Jarvis, CPA, to discuss why great tax planning isn't about memorizing rules - it's about helping clients make intentional decisions that improve long-term outcomes. From the QBI deduction to inherited IRAs and the widow's penalty, Matthew shares practical examples of how advisors can create value by proactively reviewing tax returns, managing taxable income, and collaborating closely with CPAs.

https://zurl.co/OJ2DV

Steven Jarvis is joined by compliance attorney Richard Chen to break down what compliance really means for financial advisors. They discuss how to balance providing value without crossing regulatory lines, the limitations of relying on software, and the importance of protecting client data. Richard reframes compliance as a core part of serving clients well, not something to avoid, but something to approach with clarity and simplicity.

https://zurl.co/7VC5w