Mikhail Josephson

Mikhail Josephson

Certified Financial Strategist

CFP® Professional CIMA® Certified
15Years Experience
65Clients Served
124Promises Kept
Overall Trust Score94%
124 of 132 promises kept

Mikhail Josephson is a certified financial strategist with over 15 years of experience in the financial planning industry. He specializes in retirement planning, sustainable investing, and tax optimization. His client-centric approach combines technical expertise with clear communication, delivering practical financial solutions that align with clients' values and objectives.

With a background in investment management and retirement planning, Mikhail brings a comprehensive understanding of modern financial strategies to help clients navigate complex financial decisions and build lasting wealth.

10
Financial Domains
99.5%
Client Satisfaction
12 hrs
Avg Response Time

Key Promises

Maximum Fee Cap Guarantee

100% kept

I promise my total annual advisory fees will never exceed 1.25% of assets under management, with a detailed fee breakdown provided quarterly showing exact dollar amounts.

fee transparency
Verified by: Automated fee calculation reports with blockchain timestamp verification
Evidence:
  • Quarterly fee reports with calculations
  • Account statement reconciliation
  • Refund records for any excess charges

Portfolio Rebalancing Precision

96% kept

I promise to rebalance portfolios within 10 business days whenever any asset class deviates more than 5% from its target allocation, with a detailed rebalancing report provided.

investment performance
Verified by: Trading records with timestamps and deviation measurements
Evidence:
  • Asset allocation deviation alerts
  • Trade confirmation records
  • Before/after allocation comparison reports

Conflict of Interest Pre-Disclosure

98% kept

I promise to proactively disclose all potential conflicts of interest in writing at least 7 days before recommending any product that generates commissions or referral fees.

financial planning
Verified by: Timestamped disclosure documents with client acknowledgment
Evidence:
  • Dated disclosure forms
  • Fee structure comparison to alternatives
  • Client acknowledgment receipts

Same-Day Response Guarantee

93% kept

I promise to respond to all urgent client communications received during business hours within 4 business hours, or by noon the next business day for after-hours messages.

client education
Verified by: Communication system timestamps with automatic tracking
Evidence:
  • Message timestamps
  • Response timestamps
  • Client acknowledgment surveys

Recent Client Projects

Mar 18, 2025
Completed Q1 portfolio reviews for 12 clients - All received performance analysis and adjustment recommendations
Mar 12, 2025
Conducted retirement planning workshop for local business owners - 100% satisfaction rating from attendees
Mar 5, 2025
Implemented tax-loss harvesting strategy for high-net-worth client - Estimated $37,500 tax savings

Financial Services

Comprehensive Financial Planning

A holistic approach to your financial life, integrating all aspects of your finances into a coordinated strategy aligned with your goals and values.

Key Features

  • Detailed financial analysis and goal prioritization
  • Custom financial roadmap with specific action steps
  • Quarterly progress reviews and strategy adjustments
  • Cash flow optimization and debt management
  • Coordination with other professional advisors (CPAs, attorneys)

Ideal For:

Individuals and families seeking clarity and direction across all aspects of their financial lives.

Investment Management & Portfolio Design

Evidence-based investment strategies tailored to your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance, with a focus on cost-efficiency and tax optimization.

Key Features

  • Custom portfolio construction based on academic research
  • Systematic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting
  • Detailed performance reporting and analysis
  • ESG/sustainable investing options
  • Alternative investment evaluation and integration

Ideal For:

Investors looking for a disciplined, transparent approach to growing and preserving wealth.

Retirement Planning & Income Strategies

Comprehensive retirement preparation and sustainable income planning to help ensure financial security throughout your retirement years.

Key Features

  • Retirement feasibility and readiness assessment
  • Social Security optimization strategies
  • Tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing
  • Healthcare cost planning and Medicare guidance
  • Longevity risk management solutions

Ideal For:

Pre-retirees within 10 years of retirement and retirees seeking to optimize and protect their retirement lifestyle.

Business Owner Services

Specialized planning for entrepreneurs and business owners addressing the unique challenges of building business and personal wealth simultaneously.

Key Features

  • Business succession and exit planning
  • Key person risk management
  • Executive compensation optimization
  • Qualified and non-qualified retirement plan design
  • Business valuation strategies and preparation

Ideal For:

Business owners looking to maximize the value of their enterprise while building personal financial security.

Estate & Legacy Planning

Strategies to efficiently transfer wealth according to your wishes while minimizing taxes and complications for your heirs.

Key Features

  • Estate plan review and coordination
  • Wealth transfer strategy development
  • Charitable giving optimization
  • Family wealth education programs
  • Trust service coordination and oversight

Ideal For:

Individuals with complex estates or specific legacy objectives for family and charitable interests.

Tax-Focused Financial Planning

Proactive tax planning strategies integrated throughout your financial life to enhance after-tax outcomes and build wealth more efficiently.

Key Features

  • Multi-year tax projection and planning
  • Tax-efficient investment strategies
  • Roth conversion analysis and implementation
  • Charitable giving tax strategies
  • Coordination with your tax professional

Ideal For:

High-income professionals and retirees seeking to minimize tax impact across their financial decisions.

Verifiable Financial Promises

Transparency is the foundation of my practice. Below are the specific, measurable promises I make to clients, along with the verification methods used to prove fulfillment.

Loading Promise Tracker...

All Financial Promises

Maximum Fee Cap Guarantee

100% kept

I promise my total annual advisory fees will never exceed 1.25% of assets under management, with a detailed fee breakdown provided quarterly showing exact dollar amounts.

fee transparencyVerified by: Automated fee calculation reports with blockchain timestamp verification

Portfolio Rebalancing Precision

96% kept

I promise to rebalance portfolios within 10 business days whenever any asset class deviates more than 5% from its target allocation, with a detailed rebalancing report provided.

investment performanceVerified by: Trading records with timestamps and deviation measurements

Conflict of Interest Pre-Disclosure

98% kept

I promise to proactively disclose all potential conflicts of interest in writing at least 7 days before recommending any product that generates commissions or referral fees.

financial planningVerified by: Timestamped disclosure documents with client acknowledgment

Same-Day Response Guarantee

93% kept

I promise to respond to all urgent client communications received during business hours within 4 business hours, or by noon the next business day for after-hours messages.

client educationVerified by: Communication system timestamps with automatic tracking

Tax-Loss Harvesting Threshold

92% kept

I promise to implement tax-loss harvesting for any position with unrealized losses exceeding $3,000 or 10% of cost basis within 5 business days of identification.

tax optimizationVerified by: Portfolio monitoring alerts and trade execution records

Retirement Calculation Transparency

97% kept

I promise to provide full mathematical transparency for all retirement projections, including exact assumptions for inflation, returns, and longevity, with multiple scenarios based on different market conditions.

retirement strategyVerified by: Calculation documentation with academic citation

Downside Protection Alert

91% kept

I promise to contact all clients within 48 hours when their portfolio experiences a drawdown of 10% or more, providing specific recommendations on potential protective actions.

risk managementVerified by: Market monitoring alerts and client contact logs

Investment Expense Ratio Ceiling

95% kept

I promise that recommended investment portfolios will maintain a weighted average expense ratio below 0.50%, with no individual holding exceeding 0.85% unless specifically requested.

investment performanceVerified by: Portfolio expense analysis with third-party verification

Implementation Deadline Commitment

89% kept

I promise to implement all agreed-upon recommendations within 10 business days of receiving signed authorization, with confirmation and documentation of all actions taken.

financial planningVerified by: Implementation tracking system with client confirmation

Verification Methods

Timestamp Validation

Cryptographically signed timestamps verify meeting schedules and document delivery

Performance Tracking

Independent portfolio performance verification against benchmarks

Client Confirmation

Secure client sign-off and verification of service delivery

Documentation

Detailed record-keeping with secure, immutable signatures

About Promise Verification

I use the Agency Protocol verification system that allows clients to independently verify all promises. Each promise has specific, measurable outcomes and transparent verification methods.

Want to verify a specific promise? Click "Assess This Promise" in the Promise Tracker above.

Professional Certifications & Credentials

CFP®

Active

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™

Rigorous certification requiring extensive education, examination, experience, and ethics requirements in financial planning.

Issued: 2012-06-15
Expires: 2024-06-15
Verification:Verify (123456)

CIMA®

Active

Certified Investment Management Analyst®

Advanced certification for investment consultants focusing on portfolio construction, risk management, and investment policy.

Issued: 2014-09-23
Expires: 2024-09-23
Verification:Verify (CIMA123789)

CPWA®

Active

Certified Private Wealth Advisor®

Advanced credential for wealth advisors working with high-net-worth clients, focusing on wealth management strategies.

Issued: 2018-03-11
Expires: 2026-03-11
Verification:Verify (CPWA456123)

Client Success Stories

Retirement Transition Strategy

Healthcare Executive

Challenge

Client was 3 years from retirement with insufficient savings, high-interest debt, and uncertainty about healthcare costs in retirement.

Solution

Created an accelerated savings plan, debt consolidation strategy, and healthcare funding approach using HSA maximization and targeted insurance solutions.

Results

  • Eliminated $87,000 in high-interest debt within 18 months
  • Increased retirement savings rate from 10% to 22% of income
  • Established $65,000 healthcare funding reserve before retirement date
  • Optimized Social Security claiming strategy for additional $142,000 in lifetime benefits

Key Metrics

Retirement Readiness Score
Before:62/100
After:91/100
Monthly Investment Contributions
Before:$1,250
After:$3,750
Projected Retirement Income
Before:$78,000/year
After:$122,000/year

"Mikhail's systematic approach turned what seemed like an impossible situation into a clear path to the retirement I wanted. His strategies were practical and achievable, not just theoretical."

Dr. Rebecca Chen, Former Chief Medical Officer

Business Succession Planning

Family-owned Manufacturing Business

Challenge

Third-generation family business with multiple stakeholders needed to transition ownership while preserving family harmony and business continuity.

Solution

Developed a comprehensive succession plan including equitable ownership transition, tax-optimized transfer strategies, and governance framework for future generations.

Results

  • Successfully transferred 60% ownership to next generation over 5 years
  • Reduced projected estate tax burden by approximately $2.4 million
  • Established family governance council with clear decision-making protocols
  • Created liquidity for retiring family members without compromising business operations

"The succession plan Mikhail created addressed not just the financial aspects but the emotional and family dynamics that were even more challenging. His approach kept our family united through a complex transition."

James Harrington, Former CEO, Harrington Manufacturing

Sustainable Portfolio Transformation

Environmental Non-profit Foundation

Challenge

Foundation needed to align $12M investment portfolio with their environmental mission while maintaining competitive returns to fund operations.

Solution

Created a phased transition to ESG-focused investments with rigorous impact metrics, utilizing best-in-class screening and thematic investing approaches.

Results

  • Reduced portfolio carbon footprint by 72% while maintaining comparable returns
  • Implemented positive screening for companies aligned with foundation's specific mission
  • Increased allocation to climate solution investments from 5% to 35%
  • Developed custom impact measurement dashboard for board reporting

Key Metrics

Portfolio Carbon Intensity
Before:157 tons CO2e/$M
After:44 tons CO2e/$M
Mission-Aligned Investments
Before:22% of portfolio
After:84% of portfolio
5-Year Annualized Return
Before:7.2%
After:7.8%

Financial Domain Expertise

The following diagram shows my areas of expertise and how they relate to each other. Each domain includes specific promises and a track record of fulfillment.

Professional Services

/professional_services
96% merit
278/290 promises kept

Financial Services

/professional_services/financial_services
95% merit
124/132 promises kept

Investment Planning

/professional_services/financial_services/investment
93% merit
43/46 promises kept

Retirement Planning

/professional_services/financial_services/retirement
97% merit
19/21 promises kept

Financial Planning

/professional_services/financial_services/planning
96% merit
62/65 promises kept

Ready to secure your financial future?

Get in touch today to schedule a complimentary financial consultation and discover how I can help you achieve your financial goals.