Family-Focused Financial Advising

In light of today’s unstable market and challenging economy, more people are making the decision to seek the advice of a qualified financial adviser. Whether the goal is to build a college fund, establish a retirement plan to ensure a stable future, or have the peace of mind that their investments are in good hands, the Brinckerhoff Financial Group’s clients know their needs will be met with expertise and integrity.

The team is a cohesive composition of father and sons. Allen Brinckerhoff has more than 24 years of experience in the brokerage field. His interest in the financial realm was deeply imbedded at an early age.

“Going back several generations, it was not uncommon for my family on both sides to make money in the stock market,” he said. “I have always loved working with financial matters.”

However, pursuing that profession was delayed when Allen served as an Army helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge as a Captain, he worked as a professional recruiter in the private sector, again rising through the ranks to become a senior executive before retiring at the young age of 38.

In 1987, he and his wife, Jane, relocated to Orlando.

“I told her that I was going to follow my dream and become a broker.”

Eventually, the couple’s two sons, David and Matt, followed in their father’s footsteps.

“I knew I wanted to do something in business, but was not quite sure in what direction,” David said.

After completing a summer internship at his father’s office, David decided to pursue marketing and, subsequently, graduated with a Bachelor of Science in marketing from Florida State University in 1998. After gaining general work experience as a sales representative in the construction industry for two years after college, David decided to join his father as a financial consultant in 2000.

From the time he was 12, Matt knew he wanted to go into the family business.

“My dad had us investing when we were young, and it was a lot of fun,” he said. “Also, I saw how he was able to help people retire and achieve their goals, and that appealed to me.”

Like David, Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing from FSU in 2001 and immediately became part of his father and brother’s team.

Brinckerhoff Financial Group is under the auspice of Raymond James & Associates Inc., which is one of the largest independent financial services firms in the U.S.

“Raymond James is unique in this industry in that it allows us to have our own team and market our own brand, even though we have all of the resources of Raymond James behind us,” David said.

The firm offers a variety of services and products to match the individual needs and desires of its clients. Financial planning, including a retirement component, is one that is most often sought. However, the Brinckerhoffs have extensive knowledge and experience in all aspects of financial options, including portfolio management and investments, small business planning, and specialized insurance products like annuities, life, long-term care and disability insurances, which are directly related to one’s financial well-being.

“We want to be the center of our client’s financial world,” David said. “We want to be their financial quarterback.”

To accomplish that task, the Brinckerhoffs need to have a full picture of the client’s financial situation.

“When we see a client, the first thing we do is sit down with them and ask a lot of questions to find out exactly what they want to accomplish,” Allen said.

“We try to dig as deep as we can to get an accurate overall picture of their finances,” David added. “That is when we can do the best job for them.”

“One of the primary things we have concentrated on in the past five years is risk control,” Allen said.

With advanced technology and access to the Internet, some believe they can take care of their own financial planning and investment transactions. However, there may be issues and potential problems that could arise from not being fully informed.

“We spend a lot of time educating our clients,” David said.

The Brinckerhoffs also coordinate quarterly, semiannual or annual meetings, depending upon the client’s desire to make adjustments, if necessary.

Brinckerhoff Financial Group offers clients the option of paying a commission on each transaction; or a fee-based model, which is a set percentage of the value of the assets managed.

“A lot of our clients like the fee-based option because they know that our pay is tied to how well their account performs,” Matt said.

The Brinckerhoffs employ a true team-effort philosophy. Each of the three have a specific financial focus and become an expert in that area. They frequently collabora te to exchange knowledge. This practice results in a more in-depth understanding of the mass investment and planning tools that would be otherwise overwhelming for just one person to absorb.

Establishing relationships and earning trust are vital factors when dealing with someone’s personal finances.

“Every client is different, so we try our best to get to know them and establish a relationship,” David said.

Exceptional customer service also is important. Clients are welcome to come to the Brinckerhoffs’ downtown Orlando office or choose the convenience of meeting in their homes or another location.

The Brinckerhoffs are backed by a dedicated support staff who diligently handle every administrative detail, ensuring all paperwork is in order. Sonia Edwards, a licensed sales associate, handles client relations, which includes placing orders. Jennifer Preston works behind the scenes creating marketing strategies and methods to better serve clients.

Clients do not need to have millions of dollars in the bank to take advantage of the services provided by Brinckerhoff Financial Group. Anyone interested in long-term planning, regardless of the invested amount, receives the same high standard of service.

Allen and David reside in Windermere, and Matt is a Winter Garden resident. They all take an interest in the community and serve in a number of charitable organizations.

“I really enjoy working with my sons and the line of work we are in, because we have made many good friends and have been able to help people attain their goals,” Allen said.

Brinckerhoff Financial Group is located in Suite 1100 at 301 E. Pine St. in Orlando. For more information, call 407-648-4488 or visit www.bfgorlando.com on the Web.