In my first financial planning role, I learned that seeking “advice” in the financial services industry could be treacherous. My planning career started in a family office served by various commission-based vendors. I soon realized that much of my job involved trying to determine which recommendations being made to us were for the benefit of the investment firm or for us the client. I knew there had to be a better way where financial advice could be accepted by the client as true professional advice and not a sales pitch.

That’s when I discovered always fiduciary, fee-only financial planning. Later when I started Pathway, it was formed from day one as a professional organization offering professional advice without conflicts related to investment product commissions or kickbacks. While this meant accepting a more challenging and slower start for the business, it has allowed us to always keep the client’s best interests at the forefront of everything we do. Eliminating as many conflicts of interest as possible gives clients the relationship they expect and deserve from their financial professional. Acting strictly and always as our client’s fiduciary remains at the core of who we are.

— Scott Beaudin