How Our Advisors Bring Value and Expertise to Our Clients

At Centura Wealth Advisory we bring value and expertise to our clients by deeply understanding their goals and objectives on both personal and financial levels. 

When client goals are addressed and discussed thoroughly from the beginning, then the process of managing their wealth becomes a collaboration. So, what does our typical client look like, and how do we separate ourselves from other wealth advisories?

How Centura Serves Our Client Base

Our niche clientele falls into four unique groups. 

High-Income Earners

Although all our clients are typically high-income earners, this includes families, businesses, and individuals. High-income earners generally make $500,000 or more annually, however, it depends on the situation.  

Individuals Experiencing Money in Motion Events

A large portion of our clientele base is people experiencing money-in-motion events. In other words, there are life or business events that are going to involve large amounts of money coming to an individual. Some examples of money in motion events are: 

• Inheriting large sums of money, property, or business assets
• Businesses changing ownership
• Business growth
• Mergers and acquisitions

High Estate Values

Many of our clients have high estate values (which is considered 25 million or more). We add value by implementing diversification in their portfolios while addressing tax abatement and legacy planning geared to these high-value estates.

Clear and regular communication with all clients is important, but it is especially important with high estate value clients because there are often multiple generations involved and increased business, real estate, and legacy complexity. 

The constantly changing tax laws can negatively impact the value of these large estates.  Because of this, we are always adjusting tax strategies to optimize our clients’ planning for minimal taxes.

High net worth individuals and those with large estates, have to plan efficiently and with enough lead time to implement intelligent tax strategies.  We have some strategies for talking to your aging family members about wealth and inheritance. Read our blog to learn how to create the space to have healthy conversations with your loved ones when there is significant wealth on the line. 

Business Owners and Executives

Business owners and executives are already dealing with the stress of their industry constantly changing, so it’s crucial for them to partner with a wealth advisor that can help alleviate some of the stress of running a business.

From the perspective of the advisor, being proactive and understanding the changing market is integral to providing valuable insights.

How Does Centura Create Connection with our Clients? 

Many of our clients come to us through our trusted referral partners.  Because we strive to provide real answers to the questions high-income earners, high-net-worth individuals, and families with large estates face, we are always working to build trust and connection. 

Our Liberated Wealth® process provides the blueprint for our ongoing engagements with clients.  Initially, we evaluate what level of technical expertise is needed for each client’s individual plan, and assess what the timeline might look like for them. Our plans address strategies for the long term and short term, addressing goals as well as what may be coming in the next six months.

Planning requires that we look not only at the life-goals of clients but also: What are the most actionable things we can do for near-term benefits? 

What Problems Do Our Clients Face?  

At a high level, our clients typically face four problems:

Income Taxes

For clients who come to us with an annual income of $1 million or more (if they reside in California) without strategic tax planning, they could pay up to $400 hundred thousand in income taxes. With well-designed tax strategies, however, we can help them save 20 to 50% of that tax burden. 

Wealth Transfer Taxes

Wealth transfer taxes are also referred to as the Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax (GSTT) applies to transfers of more than $11.5 million dollars (2021). We help clients navigate the costs and understand direct and indirect transfers when dealing with GSTT. 

Balance Sheet Optimization

Most clients require some level of balance sheet optimization. Our advisors look at assets and liabilities and how our clients’ wealth is insured against certain risks.  

State Tax Administration

Our wealth advisors know the importance of staying on top of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. This means evaluating their portfolio and cash flow plan and providing the kind of administrative work that takes the burden off of clients.

At Centura Wealth Advisors, we recognize that simply uncovering an issue in a portfolio is not where we bring our value, our value lies in presenting the right path forward for our clients. Our Liberated Wealth® process, elevates planning and provides a blueprint for processes and communication with our clients facilitating an understanding of our clients on a deeper level. 

How We Keep our Clients Engaged with Planning

Since market and tax environments are always changing, we at Centura are dedicated to being proactive, offering solutions that are timely and relevant to each client’s portfolio and situation.

Part of establishing long-term relationships with our clients is understanding their investment and estate planning goals and gaining deep knowledge of their business and wealth structures. Knowing our clients on a personal level helps us understand why our clients have the goals they have and what is important to them. Some of the key questions and points we consider when communicating with our clients include:

• What are they passionate about
• How do they like to communicate
• How do they best process information
  • (i.e. One client might value a visual white paper, while others prefer a verbal or video explanation)

Having a diverse client base means being able to pair the right communication style, cadence, and method for the right client.

Are you worried about what changes are coming for Estate taxes in 2022? Learn what to expect from the upcoming changes on our blog. 

Centura Wealth does not make any representations as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability or completeness of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to or incorporated herein.  All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

We are neither your attorneys nor your accountants and no portion of this material should be interpreted by you as legal, accounting, or tax advice.  We recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney and accountant.

For additional information about Centura, please request our disclosure brochure as set forth on Form ADV using the contact information set forth herein, or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov). Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you engage our firm for advisory services.

At Centura, we believe everybody has a North Star. The “North Star” we’re speaking of refers to your purpose, and the legacy you leave behind. Our role as a firm is to help our employees, clients, and larger network find and align with their North Star. 

We view our role— both as advisors and employers— to facilitate purposeful meaning in both your finances and in your life. Our job as advisors is also as a life coach, in which we help people understand how to achieve their goals and the best way to get there.

Internally at Centura, we place a great emphasis on aligning your purpose and your goals with your work. Why is that? 

It Allows for More Valuable Goal Setting

First and foremost, you will gain greater clarity and focus when your purpose is aligned with your goals. Working with an unclear purpose makes it challenging to set your goals and plan for your future. 

A lack of direction and focus can leave you feeling purposeless. By implementing short and long-term goals, we help our clients implement tangible action items that help avoid a sense of purposelessness. We place such a heavy emphasis on this core value of finding your North Star because we’ve found that this value leads to a happier and more fulfilled life (in all areas, including your financial strategy).  

Living a more fulfilled life

When you work to find your purpose, you’re better positioned to live it each day. We’ve found that our clients who align their passions in life with their passions in work find a purpose that is cohesive and sustainable. Whether those passions come from your job, or in your personal life, knowing what drives you allows you to have comfort and security on your path forward.

Passion and Purpose Collide

Typically, people find that their passions align with their purpose in life. When the work you’re doing cultivates the feeling of passion, you are more likely to make the extra effort. As Simon Sinek says, “Working hard for something we don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.” 

Passion doesn’t completely drive the equation here. We understand that there has to be a level of determination and discipline to reach success, and a fulfilled life. However, when your work has personal meaning, it showcases your strengths, and it allows you to be curious, you are better positioned to find success.

Becoming a Part of the Bigger Whole

One of the main reasons we place a great emphasis on helping both our clients and employees find their North Star is because when you’re aligned on your unique purpose, you provide more meaningful contributions to your community and the world at large. When we see our clients and employees embrace their most authentic selves, we find the areas where they truly stand out. This is what we aim to foster in our culture and in our client relationships every day. 

At Centura, our purpose is stewardship, in guiding our team members and employees toward their North Star. What makes you feel fulfilled? What legacy do you want to leave behind? And, how do you get there? That’s where we come in! 

How does our company actually put this North Star-centered value into practice? Take a look at one of our recent articles, How Does Centura Wealth Create Energy? which provides first-hand insight from our team, and how they have implemented these values. 

Centura Wealth does not make any representations as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability or completeness of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to or incorporated herein.  All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

We are neither your attorneys nor your accountants and no portion of this material should be interpreted by you as legal, accounting, or tax advice.  We recommend that you seek the advice of a qualified attorney and accountant.

For additional information about Centura, please request our disclosure brochure as set forth on Form ADV using the contact information set forth herein, or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website (www.adviserinfo.sec.gov).   Please read the disclosure statement carefully before you engage our firm for advisory services.

At Centura Wealth Advisory, we believe in providing our clients with full transparency. In an effort to display this value, we’ve decided to give you a little insight into who our team is. Recently, Centura Wealth has dedicated time to improve its employees’ lives outside of work through encouraging journaling, meditation, appreciation for others, and so on. Hear from our very own Centura Wealth employees about how these practices create energy in the workplace!

Ask yourself daily, what can you be excited about today?

“I am more aware of how my emotions affect others—my wife and most importantly my child. Going into the day with a positive attitude sets the stage for the entire day.” —Zachary Wilson, Client Service Associate

“I have written a few notes to others for showing appreciation. In both instances, I was intentional in how I wanted to make them feel. I don’t think I would have executed on this if I weren’t journaling, yes, I would have had the passing thought of ‘…I should send something…’, but I’ve actually executed on some of these things which hopefully makes them feel good, and does make me feel good.” —Matt Griffith, Senior Wealth Advisor

“This has motivated me to reach out to friends I haven’t seen in a while, which is rewarding. I definitely have taken a step back and really thought about the best way to respond when I am getting stressed at work. Reacting to stress in a more calm and collective way has made me proud of myself and I have seen positive outcomes.” —Zoe Singh, Associate Advisor

“It makes me more aware of my actions and my inactions. When you start thinking about what will happen later in the day instead of not preparing for the what-ifs, you can appreciate when things go well. When they don’t, it won’t surprise you or ‘get to you” as much.’” —Lori Stingham, Life Insurance Case Manager

“I’ve been exhibiting high(er) energy in the office, at home and generally trying to bring positive energy to meetings, and my interaction with the Centura team. I’m more positive in my approach and feel like I’m positively impacting those around me. I’ve sent direct emails to Centura team members trying to highlight their good work.” —Jonathan Freeman, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Compliance Officer

“The practice of thinking about something that I can be excited about for the day is a practice that I consistently use and have been for a while. This practice always helps me get through a long day because I know there is something to look forward to and be excited about, which then boosts my energy.” —Amber Vaccaro

“This practice allowed me to prepare for the day in ways that I am not used to. I acknowledged some potential emotions and events that could later affect my day and practicing this helped me make the most of those moments. Rather than get discouraged when the stressful event came up, I had a plan of attack. “ —Bradley Polinsky    

How has Practicing Gratitude or Journaling Impacted You?            

“I have been doing this before bed each night. It has allowed me to reflect on what I am grateful for that day and helps to remind me as I go throughout my days.”  —Zoe Singh, Associate Advisor

“I have been trying to journal as much as possible to get my thoughts out of my head and gratitude is one of the main things I try to practice while meditating.” —Paul Knezovich, Client Service Associate

“I began the practice of gratitude journaling this past month. I love how easy and quick this exercise is to accomplish; however, I wasn’t super consistent this past month. I am shooting for five days per week this upcoming month. This definitely brings me to things I hold dear. I expect this will turn into a habit very soon. Thank you for this gift!” —Derek Myron, Managing Director

“Starting my day off and thinking about the emotions I will bring that day has helped me be in a better mood throughout the entire day, thus increasing my energy levels. I notice that when I tell myself the emotions that I should bring into the day ahead, I feel more accountable to do so and it gives me an urge to follow through with it. The emotions that I typically tell myself to bring that day are typically ones such as happy, excited, powerful, and amusement. I have noticed that when I tell myself in the morning that I need to bring these emotions I feel obligated to do so and thus, end up experiencing those emotions.” —Amber Vaccaro

How has Starting One Practice Impacted your Life?            

Practices might include eating healthier, exercise, meditation for better sleep, and so on.

“I have pushed myself to get greater rest. I am getting between six to seven hours of sleep which I have not accomplished for over 20 years. I am accomplishing this by: 1) Getting to bed earlier, 2) Taking three to four melatonin gummies per night, 3) Not taking on as much of a workload, and 4) Filling up my joy bucket.    

“I find that I have greater mental stamina to stay in difficult conversations both professionally and with my family. I need to push to continue for a more balanced lifestyle.” —Derek Myron, Managing Director

“My mind is more clear and I am more productive from exercising and a better diet. I am able to overcome anything in my way.” —Andre Lawrence, Operations Manager    

“I have been trying to eat better and exercise. It definitely helps my overall attitude and energy. When I have days that I eat like crap, I feel sluggish. When I have days that I eat well, I have more energy. When I work out, I feel better about myself both on the inside and the outside.”—Lori Stingham, Life Insurance Case Manager

“I have been trying to focus more on the things that I am eating and when I am eating those things. I have never found myself to be an unhealthy eater but I can also eat much more healthily than I do, especially at the right times, as I eat late at night often which is not good for you. I have been trying to focus on eating better and not after 8 p.m. and I have noticed the way my body feels and have also felt much better in the gym while focusing on this.” —Paul Knezovich, Client Service Associate

Centura Wealth Advisory works hard to create an energy-filled environment at the workplace and with clients! To learn more about Centura, read on.