FAQs

A financial planner helps you organize, prioritize, and plan your finances around your life goals, not just investments. We provide personalized advice on budgeting, saving, investing, taxes, retirement, insurance, and more, helping you make well-informed decisions at every stage of life.

A financial plan is a roadmap for your money. It’s a detailed, personalized document that outlines where you stand today, where you want to go, and the steps needed to get there. It covers all areas of your finances, including savings, investments, retirement planning, risk management, and tax strategies.

A retirement plan focuses specifically on helping you prepare for and enjoy life after work. It looks at when you can retire, how much income you’ll need, and how your investments and savings will support your lifestyle. A full financial plan, however, covers retirement along with your broader financial life — such as homeownership, education funding, tax efficiency, insurance, and estate planning.

A fee-for-advice financial planner is paid directly by you for providing advice, not by selling investment products or earning commissions. This means our recommendations are unbiased, conflict-free, and always made with your best interests in mind.

Fee-only planners charge clients directly and do not sell any products or receive commissions.

Fee-based planners primarily charge fees but may also earn commissions on products they recommend.

Fee-for-advice planners provide advice without selling any financial products or managing investments – giving advice is their primary service.

Choosing a fee-for-advice model gives you truly objective advice without pressure to buy any investment or insurance products. You receive strategic financial guidance that’s fully aligned with your life goals, not influenced by product sales or commissions.

We can help you with all kinds of financial questions, including:
Retirement Planning: How much should you save? What are your options for pension payouts? How do you maximize government benefits like CPP and OAS?

Investments: What investment accounts are right for you? How should you split your savings? What’s your risk tolerance? Are your investment fees reasonable?

Tax Planning: How can you reduce taxes today and over the long term? How can you save tax on your investments? Should you set up a corporation or a family trust?

Insurance: Do you have enough life insurance? Whole Life or Term Life insurance? Do you need disability or critical illness coverage? Should you buy health insurance or insurance for your kids?

Estate Planning: Do you need a will? How should you handle your family’s assets? Should you set up a trust? How can you minimize probate fees?

Investment advisers focus mainly on managing your portfolio, and accountants focus on tax filing. We take a broader, more holistic view: connecting your investments, savings, insurance, taxes, retirement plans, and overall life goals into one cohesive strategy. It’s about making all parts of your financial life work together — with clear advice tailored just for you.

Our philosophy is rooted in education. We believe that through knowledge, you can make informed choices about an investment strategy that suits your needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and we don’t believe in discrimination when it comes to investment styles. We focus on best practices like asset allocation, tax efficiency, and keeping fees reasonable. We’ll help you assess your current investment approach, weigh the pros and cons, and explore alternatives that might be a better fit – but regardless of what you choose, our compensation stays the same. Whether you’re a DIY investor or work with advisers, we’ve got your back. We’re committed to staying up-to-date on the latest in the investment industry to support your financial goals.

Absolutely! While we are based in Halifax, we work with clients across Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia through virtual meetings. We use secure technology to make financial planning accessible, personal, and convenient, no matter where you live.

We chose the name “Setu” because it beautifully captures our purpose. In Sanskrit, Setu means bridge — and that’s what we aim to build: a strong, supportive connection between where you are today and where you want to go.
“Financial” is at the heart of what we do — helping you make informed, confident financial decisions every step of the way.
“Partners” reflects our approach. Even though Setu Financial Partners is currently led by a single advisor, we wear many hats to support you, as your planner, guide, educator, and sounding board. We also collaborate with trusted specialists when needed to ensure you have access to comprehensive advice. And as we grow, we look forward to welcoming new team members who share the same commitment to your success.
At Setu Financial Partners, you’re never just a client, you’re a partner in the journey.