What Really Happens Behind the Scenes in a Financial Planning Firm (Ep. 24)

Most people see one or two meetings a year and assume that’s the whole picture. But real planning is happening year-round, often when no one is sitting across the table.

In this episode, Dan Reese, CFP, pulls back the curtain on how an annual service calendar guides financial planning throughout the year. He walks through how winter tax planning sets the foundation, how spring portfolio reviews and tax strategies are handled, and why summer and fall are critical for scenario planning, insurance reviews, and year-end decisions. Dan explains how systems help avoid missed opportunities, reduce costly mistakes, and keep everything aligned across taxes, investments, and planning.

Key takeaways:

• Why organizing planning work by seasons helps prevent last-minute decisions and overlooked deadlines
• How early year tax planning supports smarter moves during market downturns
• What happens during spring investment reviews and ongoing portfolio alignment
• Why summer is used for deeper tax analysis and real-life scenario testing
• How insurance reviews and year-end planning help protect against gaps and outdated coverage
• And more!

Converting from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is a taxable event.

Resources:

• Carson Wealth Retirement Readiness Quiz
• 2026 Calendar: Key Tasks & Financial Dates

Connect with Dan Reese CFP®:

• Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Avery Wealth
• LinkedIn: Dan Reese