Exploring Financial Planning Careers: From Big Firms to BFG with Beth Nori

Welcome back to Don’t Retire… Graduate! In today’s Diary of a Financial Advisor entry, we're diving into the insightful journey of financial advisor Beth Nori, a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner with over eight years under her belt at BFG. Beth isn't your typical advisor who is often the face of meetings; instead, she plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role, ensuring everything is meticulously prepared before clients walk through the door. In our discussion, Beth shared her path from starting in a large financial firm in the DC area to finding a home with BFG in Baltimore, where the focus on financial planning became her passion. We discuss what drew her to the financial industry and her unique trajectory at BFG, where she handles a lot of the preparatory legwork that many advisors might shy away from. Her attention to detail and affinity for working with numbers naturally aligned with her gravitation toward tax planning, a crucial area for many clients. Beth is currently expanding her expertise by pursuing a new designation, the Tax Planning Certified Professional. Together, we explored her commitment to transforming technical planning into more human, client-centered advice and the satisfaction of helping clients minimize tax liabilities. Beth also shared her aspirations, which remarkably revolve around growing in her current role, enjoying BFG’s family-like culture, and seeing where her path continues to take her. 5 Key Takeaways: Behind-the-Scenes Expertise: Beth’s role emphasizes the importance of the preparatory work that sets the stage for successful client interactions, highlighting the need for detailed-oriented advisors in financial firms. Importance of Company Culture: Beth values the smaller, family-like culture at BFG, which allows her to make a meaningful impact and foster closer relationships within the company. Tax Planning as a Niche: Despite the technical challenges and common intimidation of tax planning, Beth's enthusiasm for numbers has led her to pursue specialized qualifications in this area, emphasizing its importance for client financial success. The Role of Continued Education: Beth's pursuit of the Tax Planning Certified Professional designation demonstrates the value of continued learning and specialization in adapting to the evolving needs of clients. Personal Career Satisfaction: Beth’s contentment in her current role showcases the importance of aligning personal interests with career paths and finding fulfillment in contributing to a larger team effort rather than seeking traditional leadership roles. Join us as we continue to inspire and educate you on your journey toward financial freedom and a purpose-filled future. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with those eager to transform their financial outlook! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t Retire… Graduate! Is the podcast that asks what you want to be when you grow up so you can graduate into retirement with a passion and a purpose. Hosted by Certified Financial Planner Practitioner, Eric Brotman, this show will explore different methods for saving money, paying down debt, raising financially literate children, growing your wealth, and reaching financial independence–whether you’re 35 or 65. Retirement is not the absence of work, but the absence of needing to work. So join us while we talk to award-winning, best-selling authors, finance experts, influencers, and people with amazing money stories to help you set and reach financial goals, discover your passions, and make a plan for what you want to be when you reach the point where work becomes optional. Plus, between full episodes we’ll answer listener questions about personal finance, investing, retirement readiness, taxes, and more. Topics covered include: budgets, credit, debt, emergency funds, balancing expenses, health savings accounts, insurance and risk management, financial advisors, mortgages, retirement savings, social security, money management, spending, fintech and finance apps, employee benefits, and the FIRE movement.