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In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, David Armstrong, editorial director for Informa Connect's Wealth Management Group, talks with Howard Morin, founder and partner at Helium Advisors, about integrating tax planning into the core of wealth management services . Based in Seattle and started in 2016, Helium has grown organically, with some M&A, to $270 million in assets. Focusing on tax planning throughout the financial planning process ensures that clients maximize after-tax returns, which, at the end of the day, are the only returns that matter. While Helium leads with their tax and wealth management expertise, they also partner with a network of legal and accounting professionals for specialized support to meet each client's diverse needs.

Specifically, David and Howard discuss:

• How Helium Advisors differentiates itself is by prioritizing tax integration from the start, ensuring a cohesive approach to financial planning.
• Why a tax-oriented approach can significantly impact a client's financial well-being and help clients minimize tax liabilities.
• Addressing the challenges of balancing personalized service with efficient growth by scaling processes and maintaining a strong employee-to-customer ratio.
• The importance of using the right technology to streamline processes and improve customer service.
• Maintaining a client focus by understanding each client's unique goals and risk tolerance, as well as providing guidance on complex issues such as business decisions and estate planning.

Sources:

RIA Edge Podcast

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About our guest:

Howard Morin co-founded Helium Advisors with partner Gary Russell in 2016. Howard has over 20 years of experience in financial services and organizational leadership. Most recently, he oversaw Conover's Financial Services Group serving as CEO of Conover Securities Corporation and Conover Capital Management. Starting as business manager of institutional traders at TradeStation Group, his success was recognized by Intel Corporation, which relocated him to the Pacific Northwest in 2000, where he was named Managing Director of Global Financial Services. At Intel, Howard was responsible for implementing technology at some of the world's largest financial institutions. After a career at Intel, he returned to Wall Street, joining Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) as a private financial advisor. Howard is passionate about advising clients on key decisions and working with employers to align their corporate pension plan with their strategic goals. A South Florida native, after almost 20 years in the Seattle area, he now calls Scottsdale, Arizona home.