Frequently Asked Questions

  • Harvard Wealth Management provides comprehensive investment management and financial planning for individuals and families. We actively manage client investment portfolios and provide ongoing advice around retirement, taxes, and long-term financial goals–using a clear, disciplined approach designed to grow and protect wealth over time.

  • ‘Fee-only’ means Harvard Wealth Management does not sell commissionable products—such as annuities and life insurance policies. We are paid directly by our clients through an asset management fee, rather than earning compensation from the sale of investment products. 

    This matters because when compensation is tied to product sales, it can influence which products are recommended. A fee-only structure helps reduce that potential conflict and keeps advice focused on what is most appropriate to your goals, not on generating commissions. 

  • CFP® stands for Certified Financial Planner®, one of the most respected designations in financial planning. CFP® professionals must meet rigorous education, examination, experience, and ethical standards. This designation ensures your advisor is trained across all major areas of financial planning, including:     

    •    Investments     

    •    Retirement planning     

    •    Tax planning     

    •    Risk management     

    •    Estate planning concepts

  • A CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is a highly trained and licensed professional who has passed rigorous exams, met strict experience requirements, and is held to a high ethical standard. This long-established designation–trusted for over a century–ensures deep expertise in tax and financial matters. In wealth management, a CPA’s knowledge helps align investment and planning decisions with your tax situation, supporting smarter strategies and better after-tax outcomes.

  • When investment and tax professionals work together, planning opportunities increase and execution improves. Instead of ideas being discussed but never implemented, coordination helps ensure strategies are acted on in real time. Clients also benefit from:   

    •    Fewer missed planning opportunities    

    •    Direct communication between advisor and CPA    

    •    Easier sharing of documents and financial information    

    •    Less burden on the client to coordinate between professionals

    The result is a more seamless experience and better-informed financial decisions.

  • Yes. Financial planning is a core part of our service. For clients who hold assets under management with us, planning is included as part of the ongoing advisory relationship.

  • Minimums may apply, but our primary focus is whether we can provide meaningful value. The best first step is a conversation to determine fit.

  • Portfolios are built using a combination of personalized advice and institutional investment management. Your advisor works closely with a large, established corporate RIA that provides access to a dedicated team of analysts and portfolio managers, with assets held at Charles Schwab. This structure allows us to blend professional research, market insights, and risk management with your personal goals, time horizon, and comfort with risk. Portfolios are designed with a long-term focus and are monitored and adjusted as markets and life circumstances change.

  • Tax strategy and planning are included as part of our wealth management services. This includes coordinating investment decisions, retirement planning, and cash flow strategies with tax considerations in mind. Tax preparation itself is handled by our partner CPA firm. We work closely with the CPA team to ensure that tax strategies discussed during planning are properly implemented and reflected in your return. You are not required to use our partner CPA firm to work with us. We are happy to coordinate and collaborate with your existing CPA to ensure your wealth management and tax planning are fully aligned.

  • No. There is no cost or obligation to schedule an introductory call or discovery meeting. These conversations are designed to determine whether working together is a good fit. We are compensated only through an asset-based advisory fee on assets we manage—there are no commissions and no charges for initial meetings.