Why I Became A Financial Advisor

By Marjorie L. Rand, CPA, CFP®, RICP®

My curiosity and love for the financial world started at the ripe old age of 15! That’s when my grandfather approached me, asking me to help take care of my grandmother when he was gone. He had the foresight to plan ahead and chose to prepare me for this task by teaching me and modeling for me a life of responsible financial choices, the importance of avoiding debt, and saving for the future. I didn’t realize at the time that a) this was an immensely valuable gift, and b) he unknowingly set me up for a decades-long career doing the same for others. 

I took my grandfather’s example to heart, applied these principles to my own life, and walked with my grandmother through widowhood and all the financial decisions that came along with it, even acting as her executor when she passed away. Not only did I get the honor of fulfilling my grandparents’ wishes, but I also received a solid foundation for what would become my life path. This is how I got my start and how I got to where I am today—helping as many people as I can navigate life with reliable guidance and freedom from financial worry. 

Getting Started

That’s the big picture of why and how I decided to make this my life’s work. But I didn’t become a financial advisor right away. Instead, I took a different path, earning my bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University and becoming a CPA. I spent many years offering tax services and helping my clients reap the benefits of tax planning. But the longer I spent doing this, the more I saw that I could be an even greater support by providing more services. Instead of just telling my clients how much they owed in taxes, I wanted to help them avoid costly mistakes and organize their entire financial picture. 

That meant a slight career pivot was in order. I decided to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®), earned the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation, and founded Rand Financial Planning, all so I could make more of a difference in peoples’ lives. 

The Next Chapter

The heart behind what I do is that I believe you should have a financial planner right by your side, guiding you through life’s transitions and decisions. I spend my days creating tax-efficient solutions that protect my clients from hidden costs and avoidable pitfalls, calming their fears about retirement, and identifying unknowns and potential threats, all so that they can approach retirement with confidence instead of stress or overwhelm. 

I get the ultimate privilege of making my clients’ lives easier so they can focus their attention on what matters most to them. There’s just nothing like celebrating with a client when they reach a goal or seeing the worry disappear from their faces when we put their plan into action. One of my clients summed it up best when they said, “Before we were flying solo; now we have a pilot.” That’s why I go to work every day motivated to do what I do. 

Are You Ready To Stop Worrying About Your Retirement?

We’d love to help you stop worrying about your financial future by giving you clarity and empowering you to make decisions that make your dreams a reality. If you don’t already have an advisor helping you do that, schedule a 20-minute introductory call or reach out to us at 908-895-2406 or marge@randfinancialplanning.com to see if we are the right firm to help you on your financial journey.

About Marge

Marjorie Rand is founder and financial advisor at Rand Financial Planning, a comprehensive, fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm. Marge specializes in helping her clients plan for a secure retirement and navigate life’s many transitions through customized, tax-efficient retirement planning. She is passionate about empowering her clients to make the best financial decisions for their life and being by their side no matter what life throws at them. Marjorie spent many years as a CPA before founding Rand Financial Planning so she could be a go-to source for all her clients’ financial needs and help them avoid costly mistakes. She has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in Taxation from Fairleigh Dickinson University, along with the Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) designations. When she’s not working, Marge enjoys boating, horseback riding, traveling, and hiking with her husband and her dog, Rangeley. To learn more about Marjorie, connect with her on LinkedIn.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information and is provided at least in part by Twenty Over Ten and other sources. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Original content of Rand Financial Planning, LLC. only is copyright © 2021 by Rand Financial Planning, LLC. All rights reserved