Gateway Financial Partners

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Paul Smallwood

Financial Advisor - CPA®, PFS®, CFP®

Navigate Your Financial Journey with Confidence

Personalized Financial Strategies for Your Individual and Family Needs

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Invest in Your Growth Stability Legacy

Empowering Your Financial Freedom: Our Prime Objective

At Gateway Financial Partners, we understand the intricacies of managing finances can be overwhelming, whether you’re an individual grappling with retirement plans or a business striving for sustainable growth. Our dedication is to alleviate these challenges and reinforce your financial resilience.

Paul Smallwood, an accomplished Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and now an Independent Financial Advisor, is here to help. Paul’s vast experience revealed that many of his clients often struggled to seize opportunities and preserve their financial future. This widespread disconnect ignited a transformation in Paul’s professional journey.

Compelled to bridge this gap, Paul expanded his specialization beyond traditional CPA services, integrating comprehensive financial planning into his repertoire. This move was driven by his resolve to guide clients effectively through the complexities of finance and enable them to take charge of their financial health.

By incorporating financial planning, Paul now equips his clients with the tools to navigate investment complexities, strategize for retirement, help to optimize tax benefits, and much more. This holistic approach aims to ensure that clients receive personalized financial strategies that align with their unique goals.

Whether your aim is to pursue a worry-free retirement, maximize your investment returns, or establish a sound financial trajectory for your business, Gateway Financial Partners is dedicated to delivering high-quality financial advisory services that resonate with your objectives. By putting your financial goals at the forefront of our strategy, we commit to empowering you, fostering your financial health and nurturing your future, one well-informed financial decision at a time.

Our Services

Integrated Tax Compliance

Master the maze of taxation with our specialized tax compliance services.
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Integrated Tax Compliance

Steering through the labyrinth of tax laws that constantly shift and evolve can be overwhelming. Our comprehensive tax compliance services are designed to not only help you stay ahead of these changes but to also help turn them to your advantage.

Compliance doesn't have to mean missing out on opportunities. We aim to ensure strict adherence to regulations while simultaneously hunting for avenues to optimize your tax benefits. From finding those hidden deductions to leveraging tax credits, our aim is to ensure your hard-earned money stays where it belongs - with you.

Our specialization caters to a broad spectrum, serving both individuals and businesses. Recognizing the distinct needs of every client, we tailor our services to your unique circumstances. We provide strategic guidance to aim to reduce your tax liabilities, whether through income splitting strategies for families, maximizing deductions for self-employed individuals, or capitalizing on business tax credits.

But our role isn't just about numbers. We also focus on educating our clients, helping you understand each aspect of your tax situation. This empowers you to make informed financial decisions that can enhance your overall financial health. By choosing Gateway Financial Partners, you're choosing a partner who's invested in your financial growth, paving the way to a potential tax-efficient future.

Investment Planning

Maximize your wealth with strategic investment planning.
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Investment Planning

Investing isn't just about building wealth; it's about creating opportunities for your future. At Gateway Financial Partners, we're acutely aware of the significant role that prudent investment planning plays in preserving your financial wellbeing.

We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, our team takes the time to understand you: your financial goals, your risk tolerance, your time horizon, and your individual circumstances. With these insights, we craft a diversified investment portfolio, custom-built to align with your unique aspirations.

But investment planning isn't a one-time event. It's a continuous journey requiring strategic adjustments based on changing market conditions and personal circumstances. Our role is to help you navigate this journey thoughtfully. From identifying the optimal mix of assets for your portfolio to actively monitoring its performance and making necessary adjustments, we're your dedicated partner at every step.

Investing can feel like venturing into the unknown, but with us, you're not alone. Our team is committed to educating our clients, helping you understand the what, why, and how of your investment strategy. We believe in transparency and open communication, offering you the confidence to embrace your investment journey.

With Gateway Financial Partners by your side, your investment journey becomes less about navigating the complexities of the financial markets and more about laying the groundwork for the future you envision.

Retirement Planning

Manage your future with our bespoke retirement planning services.
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Retirement Planning

Retirement should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, a reward for years of hard work. It's about maintaining your lifestyle, indulging your passions, and making the most of your newfound freedom. At Gateway Financial Partners, we believe effective retirement planning is key to turning this vision into reality.

We know that everyone's retirement dream is unique, so we don't offer a one-size-fits-all approach. Our retirement planning services are tailored to suit your individual needs and aspirations. Whether your goal is to travel the world, invest in a dream project, or simply enjoy quality time with your loved ones, we help you plan for a future that aligns with these dreams.

Our approach is comprehensive. We start by helping you calculate your retirement needs, considering various factors like your desired retirement age, projected living costs, and income sources. This assessment enables us to evaluate your current retirement plan, identifying any potential gaps and opportunities for optimization.

Next, we work with you to develop a robust retirement strategy. This strategy isn't just about saving - it's about maximizing your retirement assets through smart investment strategies, tax-efficient withdrawals, and meticulous risk management. We also factor in considerations like healthcare costs and estate planning strategies aiming to ensure your plan is holistic.

But our engagement doesn't stop at plan creation. Whether you're just embarking on your career or counting down the days to retirement, we walk alongside you throughout your journey, making necessary adjustments to your plan as your circumstances evolve.

With Gateway Financial Partners, retirement planning becomes less of a daunting task and more of an exciting journey toward a preserved, comfortable future.

Education Funding

Invest in your child's future with our education funding services.
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Education Funding

Imagine a future where your child’s education dreams aren’t hindered by financial obstacles. A future where the rising costs of education are not a cause for concern, but a challenge strategically planned for. That's the future Gateway Financial Partners wants to help you build with our specialized education funding services.

We recognize that investing in your child's education is more than just a financial decision - it's a commitment to their future. The escalating costs of education, from private schooling to college tuition, can be intimidating. However, with the right plan, these expenses can be managed efficiently without destabilizing your financial equilibrium.

Our approach begins with understanding you. We listen to your education goals for your child, whether it's attending a private high school, studying at a prestigious university, or pursuing postgraduate studies. Based on these goals, we provide an estimate of future education costs, factoring in the rate of education inflation.

Once we have a target, we explore various saving strategies tailored to your specific situation. We explain the benefits of different educational savings accounts, such as 529 plans that offer tax-free withdrawals for qualifying expenses. Additionally, we can guide you on how to optimize financial aid opportunities and scholarships, providing a well-rounded approach to tackling education costs.

Our goal is to create a feasible, flexible plan that not only addresses your child's education costs but also aligns with your broader financial picture. This way, funding your child's education becomes a seamless part of your financial journey, not a roadblock. With our guidance, you can start on a path that preserves this promise without compromising your financial stability.

Legacy Planning

Preserve your wealth for generations with our legacy planning services.
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Legacy Planning

Legacy planning is your opportunity to leave a footprint that lasts far beyond your lifetime. It's your chance to create a ripple effect that benefits not just your loved ones, but potentially even generations to come. At Gateway Financial Partners, we understand that legacy planning is more than just financial; it's deeply personal and profoundly impactful.

Our role is to help you shape this lasting legacy in a way that reflects your values, aspirations, and wishes. We believe that your hard-earned wealth should be a source of support and comfort for your loved ones and a testament to the life you've lived.

Creating such a legacy requires strategic planning. Our team is experienced in navigating the complexities of estate planning strategies, guiding you through the many considerations that come into play. Whether it's drafting wills, setting up trusts, or exploring options for charitable giving, we're here to make the process less daunting.

One of our key focus areas is aimed at minimizing estate taxes. We can help you implement strategies designed to shield your assets from excessive taxation, seeking to ensure more of your wealth goes where you want it to. These could involve gifting strategies, the use of trust structures, or even life insurance policies.

But legacy planning isn't just about wealth. It's about crafting a smooth transition of assets to avoid family discord and confusion. We work with you to establish clear, detailed plans that outline how your assets should be distributed, taking into account your specific wishes and family dynamics.

Finally, we understand the importance of philanthropy for many of our clients. If you wish to support causes close to your heart, we can guide you on how to incorporate charitable giving into your legacy plan in a tax-efficient manner.

Legacy planning with Gateway Financial Partners is about transforming your wealth into a meaningful legacy that stands the test of time. Let us help you make your mark on the future.

Get to Know Us

Paul Smallwood

Financial Advisor - CPA®, PFS®, CFP®

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Paul Smallwood: Championing Your Financial Future

For nearly three decades, Paul Smallwood has been helping individuals and businesses navigate the intricate paths of tax compliance as a trusted Certified Public Accountant (CPA). But he realized that his clients needed more. Many were missing the crucial link of financial planning and management in their journey towards financial wellness. Driven by the desire to bridge this gap, Paul expanded his horizons, taking on the role of an Independent Financial Advisor.

Today, Paul combines his deep understanding of tax compliance and accounting with a comprehensive knowledge of financial planning to provide a holistic service to his clients. He understands that your financial situation is unique and requires a tailored approach. Leveraging his expertise, he is able to provide you with the insights, strategies, and tools you need to make sound financial decisions.

Whether you’re an individual looking to preserve your financial future, a parent wanting the best education for your child, or a business owner seeking to optimize your financial operations, Paul is dedicated to helping you pursue your goals. His philosophy is simple: your future is the focus. He believes in empowering you to take charge of your financial destiny, providing guidance, support, and knowledge every step of the way.

Remember, a confident financial future isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity that Paul Smallwood, at Gateway Financial Partners, is committed to helping you pursue. It’s time to take that first step towards financial wellness. Are you ready to embark on this journey?

Taylor Schepers: Committed to Delivering Exemplary Service

With a solid track record of 5 years in administrative roles, Taylor brings a wealth of experience to our team, helping ensure the smooth functioning of our office and creating a warm, welcoming environment for our clients.

Born and raised in Northern Michigan, Taylor is a graduate of Davenport University, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She is the friendly voice you’ll hear when you call our office, the helpful hand assisting with your paperwork, and the first smiling face you’ll see when you visit us.

Outside of the office, Taylor is an avid outdoor enthusiast, often found kayaking on local lakes or fishing when the opportunity arises. Her creativity extends beyond the great outdoors, with a passion for painting and other arts in her free time. Also, she’s been sharing her baking and cake decorating skills with family and friends for over a decade, adding a dash of sweetness to every occasion.

Taylor Schepers

Financial Assistant

    Do Our Values Align?

    Our Ideal Client

    At Gateway Financial Partners, we welcome clients who are ready to actively participate in maintaining their financial future. Our ideal client is someone who understands that pursuing financial health isn’t a sprint but a marathon – requiring planning, patience, and dedication. Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a business owner, we are here to guide you if:

    • You’re seeking a deeper understanding of your financial picture and are committed to learning and making informed decisions.
    • You’re ready to consider a professional with your financial planning, acknowledging that specialized guidance can bring invaluable insights and strategies to the table.
    • You value a holistic, comprehensive approach to financial planning that goes beyond investment management to include tax planning strategies, retirement strategies, education funding, and legacy planning.
    • You’re proactive about your financial future, ready to work with us to develop and follow a strategic financial plan.
    • You appreciate a relationship that’s built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding, and are open to transparent, honest, and regular communication.

    Our clients are not just numbers on a balance sheet. They are individuals and businesses with dreams, aspirations, and goals, and we see it as our mission to help them pursue these goals. If this resonates with you, you may well be our ideal client. We invite you to take the first step towards a brighter financial future with us.

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    Insights & Market Commentary

    FAQ's

    A financial advisor is a professional who helps clients manage their finances, investments, and wealth. They offer personalized advice and guidance based on their clients' financial goals and needs. Financial advisors can provide services such as retirement planning, investment advice, tax planning, estate planning, and more.

    Hiring a financial advisor can be beneficial for those who need help managing their finances, planning for the future, or making investment decisions. Financial advisors can provide expert advice and guidance to help clients achieve their financial goals and make informed financial decisions.

    When looking for a financial advisor, using BrokerCheck can provide valuable information about the advisor's background, including their employment history, registration status, and any disciplinary actions or customer complaints. By using BrokerCheck, investors can make informed decisions about which financial advisor to work with and avoid potential fraud or misconduct.

    Financial advisors can offer a wide range of services, including retirement planning, investment advice, tax planning, estate planning, risk management, and more. The specific services offered may vary depending on the advisor's experience and qualifications.

    As an independent financial advisor, we believe in developing a diversified investment portfolio that aligns with clients' long-term financial goals and risk tolerance. We review and rebalance portfolios regularly and provide education to help clients understand their investment strategy. During times of market volatility, we stay in close communication with our clients to provide guidance and support. By taking a strategic, long-term approach, we help our clients pursue their financial goals despite market fluctuations.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    We recognize that financial management can often seem like an uphill battle. That’s why our role at Gateway Financial Partners is to be your valued guide. With our wealth of experience in the financial sector, we’re committed to delivering tailor-made advice to support you in pursuing your financial aspirations. To demystify the role of a financial advisor and how we can assist you, we’ve curated a list of frequently asked questions. This resource is designed to shed light on our services and what you can expect in your journey with us. We hope that this information will equip you with the insights needed to make sound decisions for your financial future.

    Invest in Your Future Today

    Embark on Your Journey to Financial Empowerment

    Ready to take that vital step towards a more confident and clear financial future? At Gateway Financial Partners, we’re here to guide you. Whether it’s simplifying tax compliance, crafting investment strategies, planning for retirement, securing educational opportunities for your children, or establishing your lasting legacy, Paul Smallwood and his dedicated team are ready to help.

    We believe in empowering you with knowledge, equipping you with tools, and providing you with the personalized financial advice you need to make informed decisions. Together, we can chart a course towards your financial goals.

    Start your journey towards financial wellness today. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation, and let’s explore how we can turn your financial dreams into reality.

    Our Location

    Gateway Financial Partners
    3409 Veterans Drive, Suite 2
    Traverse City, MI 49684
    231.938.6452
    psmallwood@mygfpartner.com

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