Ambitious individuals who come to us with significant wealth and expectations. Most clients are self-made and demand that our efforts mirror their own work ethic. They include successful business owners (many whose 401k plans we handle), senior-level pharmaceutical executives, real estate developers and others who accumulate real estate assets, retired professional athletes, divorced and widowed women, members of the LGBTQ community, and generations of client families in the New York metropolitan area, Florida and 10 other states.

As we unveil who we are, clients often do the same. Many tell us what they’ve never shared with anyone – a troubling family matter, a health concern, or a new issue relating to a possible beneficiary. We appreciate clients who place their trust in our discretion and ability to offer helpful guidance. In all cases, we do what we believe are in clients’ best interests, even if straightforward suggestions may be difficult for them to hear.

At Topinka Financial, our approach is inspired by each client’s situation and our focus on the markets and tax efficiencies.

In addition to our team members’ professional experiences, we share a keen interest in the history, performance and dynamics of markets, and our industry.

As students of investing, we believe that – over the past 50 years – many portfolios have become over-diversified. Many investors do not realize that they may own "overlapping funds" with identical holdings – or that their assets are spread so far and wide, that no focused strategy exists.

Our theory is to bring investing back to what we believe "portfolio management" was intended to be – what Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham, the fathers of value investing, have long practiced and mastered. Specifically, we seek good value for each client and attempt to capture a better return than an index. Using internal and external research, we keep sector distribution unweighted and only invest in individual equities and bonds when we have a strong conviction behind a company’s management team and balance sheet.

Ours is a patient, long-term approach to value investing with generally low turnover. Anticipating and embracing change on a global landscape drives our philosophy. We are driven by our extensive analyses of price momentum, global fundamentals, currency fluctuation, interest rate and secular bull market trends, and other factors.

It has become our practice to blend our investment management with tax awareness in a way many advisors do not. We maintain a watchful eye on clients’ tax consequences throughout the year. Furthermore, with the tax code changing frequently, we have sharpened our focus on new regulations. We also work closely with clients, their CPAs and attorneys – to align wealth transfer, business succession, tax-minimization and estate planning strategies.

There is no assurance any investment strategy will be successful. All investments are subject to risk, including loss. International investing involves additional risks such as currency fluctuations, differing financial accounting standards, and possible political and economic instability. These risks are greater in emerging markets. Raymond James is not affiliated with Warren Buffett or Benjamin Graham.

At Topinka Financial, we are devoted to addressing clients’ financial challenges in several areas outside of portfolio management. Here are just a few examples:

• With many clients residing in “high-tax” states, we aim to prudently mitigate tax consequences throughout the year, not just at year-end. On a regular basis, we make sure not to add issues to a client’s tax base. In reviewing capital gains, we examine what losses can be offset at year-end. For clients selling a business or real estate, we analyze tax ramifications.
• We view each client as part of a family tree. For this reason, we consider the multigenerational impact of any consideration. When helpful, it is our practice to meet with parents, children and grandchildren. Doing so informs our perspective on attempting to achieve long-term outcomes that are financially and personally beneficial in the short- and long-term.
• Driven by a desire to make intelligent financial decisions, many clients want to know what’s required to enjoy a desired retirement lifestyle with predictable cash flow, create a family legacy, diversify holdings of company stock, effectively receive assets, purchase a second home or expand an enterprise. Our planning-based approach “meets clients where they are in life.” In fact, we meet clients where it’s convenient for them – at home, a restaurant, by phone or WebEx. We work hard for each client – to help simplify and clarify the road ahead

Diversification does not guarantee a profit nor protect against loss.

• We look at ways to utilize debt wisely and enhance both sides of a client’s balance sheet – assets and liabilities. To simplify matters for clients, we provide ready access to specialists for securities-based lending, business expansion financing*, as well as short- and long-term cash management
• *Offered through Raymond James Bank, an affiliate of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., and your Raymond James financial advisor do not solicit or offer residential mortgage products and are unable to accept any residential mortgage loan applications or to offer or negotiate terms of any such loan. You will be put into contact with a Raymond James Bank employee for your residential mortgage needs.
• As patient, “value investors,” we formulate client portfolios with holdings that we believe will outperform an index or the market. Individual client portfolios will be designed to address their investment timeline, need for liquidity, risk profile, goals and tax situation.

There is no assurance any investment strategy will be successful. All investments are subject to risk, including loss.

• We are proactive and prepared to work with clients’ CPAs and attorneys. Each estate plan should be structured to avoid unnecessary expenses, risks, taxes and legal burdens. With permission from clients, we can align our efforts with their other advisors on tax minimization and estate planning strategies. We also call upon Raymond James Trust, N.A., which is affiliated with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., to help preserve the wealth of client families.