INTERVIEW
by matthew d. edward
A Financial Guide to Navigate Choppy Waters Experience is key throughout the journey
W
hitewater rafting requires an experienced guide. Without an experienced guide to prepare participants, load the raft properly, and seat people where they are most needed, a whitewater outing could quickly take a turn for the worse. “That guide is kind of like your financial planner,” said Chad J. Karl, CFP®, founder of Chad J. Karl & Associates. “And that’s his role, to guide you through that and to give you confidence when you panic and you’re ready to jump out of the boat.” Chad J. Karl & Associates, based in Janesville, Wisconsin, is a full-service financial planning firm that specializes in retirement and legacy planning for clients in or near retirement. 34 / ADVISORS MAGAZINE
NOV 2019
Clients generally range from 50 to 70 years old and possess $500,000 in investable assets before signing on with the firm, but Karl makes exceptions based on “fit” and often assists younger investors ready to start on the path toward financial freedom. Just as whitewater rafting presents risks which can be managed by an experienced guide, the financial world offers a number of potential pitfalls that a strong advisor can help clients avoid. In the financial world, however, risk depends on the investor’s
individual tolerance which needs to be carefully measured since many overestimate and underestimate how much they can take. “When we actually analyze a client’s risk, we’ll often come back and say, ‘Wow, your portfolio is rather aggressive, and when the economy goes into a recession – not if, but when we do – then you’re going to have some significant negative impact and downside to that,’” Karl told Advisors Magazine during a recent interview. “It just becomes really important for people to analyze that and be more proactive, versus seeing people be reactive to what goes on in the market.” Chad J. Karl & Associates works with investors to develop customized solutions to their unique financial problems. The process begins with an in-depth analysis of what the client needs, and Karl works from there to
