Based on the needs of our clients, Aufman Associates has grown from what started as a financial planning operation to what is now a comprehensive approach to financial management for successful individuals and families.
Aufman Associates became an independent entity in 1983 (a financial planning division of a larger firm since the 1970s). Clients in these early years were senior executives at large corporations. This was a driving force to create the proactive culture of the firm.
In the early 1980s it was challenging for the individual investor to find institutional quality management. Aufman Associates sought ways to align the investor with top talent. With the mindset that it is very difficult for an individual to “beat the market,” it is possible, with a refined process, to identify talent that can exceed market returns.
Early financial planning was just that… planning. An advisor would make suggestions and a client would implement the recommendations. However, successful individuals are typically very busy. As a result, financial planning recommendations tended to carry from one meeting to the next. Therefore, the firm began assisting with implementation, working with tax, legal, and other advisors on behalf of our clients. We have found this to be a rewarding approach, because it makes sure that the agreed upon initiatives are put into motion. Our firm continues to manage in this way today.
Investment management evolved in a similar fashion. In an industry that has always been challenged by conflicts of interest, Aufman Associates serves as a gatekeeper to protect and grow client wealth.
Over a four decade timeframe, we have learned a lot about the clients we serve. We have learned that it is important to align the human elements with the overall program. If the human elements are not aligned, untimely decisions based on emotion can destroy progress. The average client relationship is about 25 years. When you work with an individual for this amount of time, it is possible to understand their thought process and their comfort level in different circumstances. We can use this knowledge for the new generations that we serve so that they can also achieve success in a market that can challenge even the strongest of investors.