Associate Member of
Andrew Bay and his team have been instrumental in providing strategic consulting regarding our Corporate Structure and Buy-Sell Agreement funding. The Independent Pension Plan we have initiated has proven to be an extremely effective compensation and tax strategy.
What We Do
We provide comprehensive wealth management solutions and based on what is right for your unique needs, we will tailor an approach specific to managing your wealth and achieving your goals. Our team of CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®️ professionals have a legal obligation to act in your best interest.
Comprehensive
Financial Planning
Experience the pinnacle of financial planning precision with our services, fortified by the most advanced financial planning software in Canada. You will have access to our state-of-the-art software to model intricate scenarios, assess risk factors, and optimize strategies tailored to your goal
Investment Management
We are guided by a disciplined investment approach that leverages the combined talents of IG Private Wealth Management’s investments team and leading global investment partners. This helps unlock a world of opportunity, so you can confidently pursue your goals and financial well-being.
Access to Experts
Your financial well-being deserves the highest level of expertise, and we ensure that by connecting you with specialists who excel in diverse areas of finance and law. Not only is your financial plan comprehensive, but also backed by the collective wisdom of industry professionals.
Proactive Service
We pride ourselves on our unwavering commitment to proactive service. Experience the difference of having a financial partner who not only understands your needs but also actively prepares you for a prosperous future.
Our Process
Introduction
Meeting
This is the first step towards understanding your financial goals, concerns, and aspirations. During this call, it's an opportunity for you to ask questions about our approach, fees, and expertise, and for us to explore how our services can align with your needs. This introductory conversation is free of charge and carries no obligation.
Discovery
Meeting
During this meeting, we delve deeper into your financial situation. This in-depth conversation allows us to gain valuable insights and helps tailor our recommendations to align with your specific needs and objectives. The goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of your financial picture, laying the groundwork for the financial plan that will help you achieve your goals.
Solutions
Meeting
This collaborative meeting is where we present your personalized recommendations and strategies. We discuss specific strategies related to investing, retirement, tax minimization, estate planning, and other important areas identified in the discovery process. The objective is to empower you with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about your financial future.
Implementation and
Ongoing Proactive Service
Implementation marks a significant milestone in your journey towards achieving your objectives. We work closely to implement the agreed-upon strategies and proactively monitor your progress over time. Our initial recommendations are based on a snapshot of time and can change to incorporate revised legislation, important life changes, market conditions, and ensure you're on track to achieve your goals.
Leadership in the Field
Local business leaders share their unique lessons and strategies for success. Andrew Bay interviews experts across various fields, including engineering and technology, as they provide valuable advice on guiding high-performance teams and building strong businesses. Watch all of our clips!
Building Better Leaders: Why Associations Matter in Engineering
Mike Currie explains how professional associations serve as training grounds for engineering leadership, teaching skills that universities don't cover through hands-on experience leading project teams, associations, and companies.
The Power of Speaking Up: Driving Your Own Career Growth
Aleem Nawla emphasizes the importance of advocating for your own professional development, sharing his experiences of driving his career growth by communicating his goals and aspirations to his leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is a financial planner?
A financial planner helps you create and implement a plan to reach your short and long-term financial goals. They help you navigate the often complex world of personal finance and give you personalized advice, strategies, and recommendations tailored to your situation.
Think of them as a partner in financial success, someone who takes the time to understand your unique circumstances, concerns, and goals. They'll work with you to create a comprehensive road map that helps you achieve all your objectives. It's not just about creating a financial plan and leaving you to figure it all out on your own. Financial planners provide implementation support, ongoing service, and proactive review and planning meetings to make any adjustments to ensure you're on track.
All our financial planners are considered CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP) professionals. Unlike other financial professionals who may have conflicts of interest, our advisors are fiduciaries, meaning they're legally obligated to act in your best interest. This ensures that the advice and recommendations we provide are objective and aimed at helping you achieve your goals.
- Why do I need a financial planner?
Have you ever had a financial decision you didn't feel completely confident in? Maybe you needed to choose an investment or you needed to choose how much to contribute to registered accounts to maximize their benefit. Maybe you have debt and you don't know which one to pay down first or you're questioning if you will outlive your money in retirement. A financial planner will be your advisor to help you navigate all these choices. You'll gain confidence knowing every decision you make is backed by a team of professionals that have your best interest in mind.
- What are your qualifications?
At Bay & Associates, we pride ourselves on being at the top of our industry with respect to our education. You can feel confident we can advise on nearly every client scenario. If a certain scenario is out of scope, our Advanced Financial Planning team consists of lawyers and accountants who can be brought in. Below is a list of the professional designations our advisors currently have or in process of having.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP): This certification is the most widely recognized financial planning designation in Canada and throughout the world and is considered the standard for the profession. CFP® professionals have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, experience and ethics to examine their clients’ entire financial picture, at the highest level of complexity required of the profession, and work with their clients to build a financial plan so that they can Live Life Confidently™1. Andrew Bay, Kim Rideout, and Coby Blystone are all CFP® designation holders.
Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU®): CLU designation holders are regarded as elite professional financial advisors who raise the bar in developing effective solutions for individuals, business owners, and professionals in the areas of risk management, wealth creation and preservation, estate planning, and wealth transfer. Andrew Bay and Coby Blystone are CLU® designation holders.
Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist (CFDS): Focuses on life transitions with respect to collaborative (mediated) cohabitation, marriage agreements, relationships, or marital breakdowns (separation or divorce)3. Kim Rideout is a CFDS designation holder.
Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP): A designation primarily for lawyers, the TEP is an internationally recognized designation to formally identify qualified practitioners and distinguish them from non-specialists who occasionally deal with trusts and estates4. Kim and Coby are currently enrolled.
Certified International Wealth Manager (CIWM): Recognized worldwide as a top credential for wealth management. It ensures that financial professionals have the unique knowledge and skills to address the complex needs of high-net-worth clients5. Andrew Bay is currently enrolled.
- What makes your financial planning approach different?
At Bay & Associates, our financial planning approach is deeply personalized and aimed at having a profound understanding of clients and their objectives. Unlike other practices that offer generic advice, we delve into the intricacies of our clients' lives, listening to their goals and concerns and recommending the most optimal path forward. Through intimate discussions, we uncover not just financial goals, but also the values and motivations driving them. Our process involves creating personalized, comprehensive financial planning strategies that take into account all aspects of your life.
What sets us apart is our commitment to stay by our clients side every step of the way. Life can be unpredictable, so our approach is nimble and adaptable. We also recognize financial planning isn't just about accumulating wealth, it's about preserving it and passing it on to future generations. That's why our comprehensive approach extends beyond investment management to encompass a breadth of expertise ranging from tax optimization to risk management techniques to full estate planning. Click to learn more about Our Approach.
- I've heard you set up Individual Pension Plans (IPPs) for Engineers and Business Owners. Can you explain the benefits of an IPP and set one up for me?
Also known as supercharged RRSPs, Individual Pension Plans (IPPs) are a tax-sheltered retirement savings vehicle for business owners, incorporated professionals, and highly compensated employees. IPPs are the most tax-effective registered retirement arrangements permissible and allow you to accumulate more registered assets than any other retirement vehicle.
Why are individuals using IPPs?
- IPPs typically provide between $250,000 and $1,500,000 more deductible contributions than an RRSP over its lifetime
- Annual contributions are 30% to 50% higher than RRSPs and Defined Contribution Plans
- Optional lump sum contribution opportunity upon retirement of $250,000 to $1,000,000
- Additional contributions to replenish asset shortfall (top-up during market downturns)
- All pension contributions, and administrative, actuarial, and advisor fees are tax-deductible
- Eligibility for income splitting with spouse after age 50 as opposed to age 65 for RRSPs
- Creditor protection
Who is eligible for an IPP? A strong IPP candidate will meet two of these three characteristics:
- Over the age of 45
- Long employment history
- High current salary (T4)
If an IPP is something that interests you, please book a meeting.
- How much does a financial planner cost?
Bay & Associates believes in transparency and value for our clients. We've put together our fee schedule with your best interest at heart, making sure you get outstanding service without any confusing fine print. Below is an advisory fee schedule our high-net-worth clients can enjoy. For reference, the industry average advisory fee for providing comprehensive family wealth planning is 1.5% of assets under management1.
To understand the breadth and depth of our services and products, visit Our Approach page.
Household investment tier*
Advisory fee rate (+ tax)
(IGAA)
$500,000-$1,000,000
1.10%
$1,000,000 - $3,000,000
0.9%
$3,000,000 - $5,000,000
0.75%
$5,000,000+
Negotiated
*The advisory fee rate will automatically adjust as household assets move between asset tiers as per the fee schedule selected.
To learn more about fees, visit About Fees | IG Wealth Management
1 Russell Investments 2023 Value of an Advisor
Supercharged RRSPs for Small Business Owners
If you're a small business owner in BC, you've probably spent countless hours thinking about how to grow your business. But have you given the same attention to your retirement plans? Let's talk about a retirement savings option that's gaining traction among business owners and incorporated professionals: the Individual Pension Plan (IPP).
Creating your retirement income plan
The sources of your retirement income and your strategy for withdrawing your savings can have a significant impact on your cash flow and tax burden. We can help you calculate your current expenses, project them over your retirement, and develop the customized withdrawal strategy that works best for you.
When and How to Take Old Age Security (OAS)
Navigating the complexities of retirement planning can be daunting, especially when it comes to understanding when and how to take Old Age Security (OAS) benefits.This guide will help you determine the optimal time to start receiving OAS payments, explain the eligibility criteria, and walk you through the application process