Uncertainty Creates Urgency for Financial Planning

Lombard, IL – Market, tax and political uncertainty have made financial planning critical in the coming months, according to Andrew M. Lohse CPA, PFS®, CRPS®, Independence Capital Financial Partners, LLC.

The American Institute of CPAs recently surveyed the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Planning Insights Panel of 300 CPAs who holds the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential – which signifies expertise in tax, estate, insurance, retirement and investment planning – and asked them to rank a list of possible client concerns. The top five were:

1. Stock market volatility.
2. Tax uncertainty cause of the year-end expiration of tax cuts.
3. Political uncertainty because of the upcoming elections.
4. The low interest rate environment.
5. Ramifications of the Eurozone debt challenges.

“These issues have created an undercurrent of uncertainty that adds urgency to financial planning,” Lohse said. “Clients are coming to us for help navigating the complexities to ensure they stay on track for retirement, investment and other goals in the coming months.”

Several tax cuts are set to expire at the end of the year, for instance, and a new 3.8% surtax on net investment income is scheduled to take effect for some investors. Preparing for these changes could require action now – accelerating ordinary income into 2012 to take advantage of lower tax rates, for example, or harvesting investment gains this year.

“A financial plan gives you a strategy for managing these variables,” Lohse continued. “No matter where you are in life, a solid plan can put you on a path to achieve your objectives.”

Independence Capital Financial Partners (ICFP) is comprised of three distinct financial planning practices that represent over 75 years of financial planning experience, of which, over a quarter of a century has been spent as a cohesive group. Our clients benefit from the collective wisdom built into our structure. Our extensive experience and insight, coupled with an independent, client centered approach to service, are the cornerstones of our organization.

Registered Representative, Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a Broker/Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisor Representative, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Cambridge and Independence Capital Financial Partners, LLC are not affiliated.