Susan Smith started her financial services career 27 years ago (with Merrill Lynch). Before financial services, she was stationed in the US Army, 4th Infantry Division, Colorado Springs. In her role with B & D Advisors, Sue is the primary contact for questions about investment statements, check processing, and all other client service requests. She is proficient in brokerage and advisory compliance, relationship management, client services, and operations. Her ability to work autonomously makes her a valuable member of the team. She can predict and respond to problems and provide creative solutions and processes. Her prior military experience makes her comfortable with laws and regulations, and deft at organizing systems and processes. She is known for getting it done right the first time, whatever that task may be. Susan splits her time between Massachusetts and her home on the Pemi River in New Hampshire. Ask her about her progress on the 4000-footers and the 52 with a view in New Hampshire.
Susan has earned The Accredited Wealth Management AdvisorSM (AWMA®) designation. It is a professional Education Program that teaches advisers about the intricacies and particulars of working with high-income clients. Candidates for the program already have extensive knowledge of the financial planning topics of insurance, investments, income tax, retirement planning, and estate planning. This course, however, helps advisers to guide those clients with "sudden money" such as inherited wealth, a lucrative sports contract, or perhaps the sale of a business. The training also helps Susan work with entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives, all of whom have unique tax situations due to their high incomes. Many of these clients are under enormous amounts of pressure to maximize earnings, maintain a lifestyle, build a legacy, and perhaps transition to a second career. Professional athletes, in particular, are exposed to psychological, behavioral, and physical health issues that can have long-term ramifications. For these clients, qualitative and quantitative planning are of equal importance.