FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – Straight Answers to the Questions We Hear Most.
FAQ
How does VAWAM charge for its services?
At VAWAM, we do not charge by the hour. We believe that watching the clock during a financial planning conversation is the wrong way to build a relationship — and the wrong way to deliver value. Instead, our fees are structured around the work being done and the outcomes being created for you. We focus on value — what the engagement delivers to your financial life — rather than on time spent in a meeting.
Before any engagement begins, we have a transparent conversation about what the work involves, what it will cost, and what you can expect in return. There are no surprise invoices and no ambiguous billing. You will always know what you are paying and exactly what you are getting for it.
We accept payment by bank transfer, email money transfer, credit card, debit card, Visa, and Mastercard — whichever is most convenient for you.
Before any engagement begins, we have a transparent conversation about what the work involves, what it will cost, and what you can expect in return. There are no surprise invoices and no ambiguous billing. You will always know what you are paying and exactly what you are getting for it.
We accept payment by bank transfer, email money transfer, credit card, debit card, Visa, and Mastercard — whichever is most convenient for you.
Do I need to come to your office to work with VAWAM
No — and for the vast majority of our clients, you never will. VAWAM is a remote-first advisory practice. We built our service delivery model around your convenience, not ours. Approximately ninety-five percent of our client interactions take place virtually through secure video conferencing — real-time, face-to-face conversations that are just as productive and personal as an in-office meeting, without the commute or the scheduling friction.
Document signing is handled digitally through trusted e-signature applications, so nothing in our process requires you to be physically present. Whether you are in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, New York, or anywhere across Canada or the United States, we can serve you fully and seamlessly from wherever you are.
For business clients and specific engagements where an on-site visit adds genuine value, our advisors do travel to business locations. But for the overwhelming majority of our clients, the relationship is entirely remote — and they would not have it any other way.
Document signing is handled digitally through trusted e-signature applications, so nothing in our process requires you to be physically present. Whether you are in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, New York, or anywhere across Canada or the United States, we can serve you fully and seamlessly from wherever you are.
For business clients and specific engagements where an on-site visit adds genuine value, our advisors do travel to business locations. But for the overwhelming majority of our clients, the relationship is entirely remote — and they would not have it any other way.
How often will I hear from VAWAM once I become a client?
Every VAWAM client receives a minimum of four formal touchpoints per year — structured, purposeful meetings dedicated to reviewing your financial plan, assessing your current position, discussing any changes in your life or goals, and ensuring your strategy remains aligned to where you are and where you are going.
But contact does not stop at four. Life does not wait for scheduled reviews. If markets shift significantly, if a tax law changes, if a major life event occurs, or if we identify something in your plan that requires attention — we reach out proactively. You will never be left wondering whether your advisor is paying attention. We are. Continuously.
You are also always welcome to reach out to us between scheduled reviews. Our relationship with our clients is ongoing and accessible — not a once-a-year conversation dressed up as a service.
But contact does not stop at four. Life does not wait for scheduled reviews. If markets shift significantly, if a tax law changes, if a major life event occurs, or if we identify something in your plan that requires attention — we reach out proactively. You will never be left wondering whether your advisor is paying attention. We are. Continuously.
You are also always welcome to reach out to us between scheduled reviews. Our relationship with our clients is ongoing and accessible — not a once-a-year conversation dressed up as a service.
I already have a financial advisor. Why would I consider moving to VAWAM?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask — and the fact that you are asking it says something significant. Most people who come to VAWAM with an existing advisor share a common experience: they have an investment account, but not a financial plan. They receive product recommendations, but not integrated strategy. They hear from their advisor when markets move, but not when tax laws change or when a life transition creates a planning opportunity.
If your current advisor is not addressing your taxes, your estate, your risk coverage, your retirement income strategy, and your cross-border considerations as a connected whole — you are not receiving wealth management. You are receiving one piece of it.
We invite you to book a complimentary consultation. We will take an honest look at where your financial plan stands, tell you clearly what we see, and let you decide whether a different approach would serve your life better. There is no pressure and no obligation. But there may be a conversation that changes the trajectory of your financial future.
If your current advisor is not addressing your taxes, your estate, your risk coverage, your retirement income strategy, and your cross-border considerations as a connected whole — you are not receiving wealth management. You are receiving one piece of it.
We invite you to book a complimentary consultation. We will take an honest look at where your financial plan stands, tell you clearly what we see, and let you decide whether a different approach would serve your life better. There is no pressure and no obligation. But there may be a conversation that changes the trajectory of your financial future.
Is VAWAM equipped to handle my finances if I have connections to both Canada and the United States?
Absolutely — and this is one of the areas where VAWAM stands apart from the majority of financial advisory practices in the Greater Toronto Area. Cross-border financial planning is not an occasional service we offer. It is a core competency built into the foundation of our practice.
We are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency and hold IRS PTIN licensing — the federal authorization to prepare returns and represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. We understand the Canada-US Tax Treaty, the interaction between Canadian and American retirement accounts, FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations, US estate tax exposure for Canadians with US assets, and the full complexity of serving clients whose financial lives do not stop at the border.
Whether you are a US citizen living in Canada, a Canadian with US real estate or investment accounts, a cross-border worker, or a family with members and assets in both countries — VAWAM is one of the few practices genuinely equipped to serve you on both sides, simultaneously and comprehensively.
We are registered with the Canada Revenue Agency and hold IRS PTIN licensing — the federal authorization to prepare returns and represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service. We understand the Canada-US Tax Treaty, the interaction between Canadian and American retirement accounts, FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations, US estate tax exposure for Canadians with US assets, and the full complexity of serving clients whose financial lives do not stop at the border.
Whether you are a US citizen living in Canada, a Canadian with US real estate or investment accounts, a cross-border worker, or a family with members and assets in both countries — VAWAM is one of the few practices genuinely equipped to serve you on both sides, simultaneously and comprehensively.
How do I get started with VAWAM?
Getting started is simple and entirely without obligation. The first step is a complimentary consultation — a real conversation with a VAWAM advisor about your current financial situation, your goals, and what you are looking to accomplish. This meeting takes place virtually via video conference, at a time that works for your schedule.
From there, if there is a clear fit and a genuine opportunity to add value to your financial life, we will outline exactly what an engagement with VAWAM would look like — the scope of the work, the fee structure, and what you can expect at every stage of the relationship.
There is no pressure, no sales pitch, and no commitment required from the initial consultation. Just an honest conversation between professionals — about your money, your life, and whether we are the right team to help you take it where you want it to go.
From there, if there is a clear fit and a genuine opportunity to add value to your financial life, we will outline exactly what an engagement with VAWAM would look like — the scope of the work, the fee structure, and what you can expect at every stage of the relationship.
There is no pressure, no sales pitch, and no commitment required from the initial consultation. Just an honest conversation between professionals — about your money, your life, and whether we are the right team to help you take it where you want it to go.