Adaptable
I take time to understand your work style and seamlessly blend my services with your processes. Together, we'll make adjustments to ensure top-notch service for your clients!
TAX-FOCUSED
Outsourced Planner
Helping successful Fee-Only RIAs that need to free up time for other high value endeavors
We work with...
Highly accomplished CFP® professionals who lead thriving fee-only RIA firms
Who need...
A seasoned back-office planner to help with financial plan prep and tax planning
Why collaborate...
You'll have more time to nurture your client and personal relationships. Live the life you want!
Services
Financial plan preparation
Create initial plans and update existing plans. Review documents, determine missing data, enter data, model scenarios, draft preliminary recommendations
Tax planning & research
Tax projections using Holistiplan, CFS TaxTools, StockOpter. Model Roth conversions, QCDs, tax gain/loss harvesting, equity comp planning, and more
Tailored client deliverables
Enhance your client experience by tailoring deliverables using a powerful combination of MS 365 tools, Canva, and other creative resources
Fluent in these planning tools
About
Thank you so much for visiting! If you're in need of a skilled outsourced planner, you've definitely landed in the right spot. With my knowledge of taxes, including personal income tax preparation and planning, equity compensation, and expatriate/foreign national taxation, I'm here to assist you in expanding your financial and tax planning abilities to better serve your clients.
No more headaches dealing with issues that come with hiring W-2 employees such as HR, payroll, income tax compliance and liability problems. You can even test out your processes and workflows with me before taking the plunge and hiring your first W-2 employee. Also, outsourcing to a US-based provider like me means you get better data security and quality control than going offshore. I'm based in Atlanta, Georgia, but I'm here to help advisors all over the US. Let's chat and see how we can team up!
Meet Sandy
Sandra Cervantes, CFP®, EA
Add a professional to your team who is...
Knowledge seeker
I'm always working on improving my skills to keep my CFP® and EA certifications up to date. I enjoy sharing useful information with clients and colleagues.
Constant communicator
I strive to keep communication open because assumptions can lead to misunderstandings. By sharing feedback, we can work together better!
Attentive to details
I love diving into client documents and data to understand their financial situation. This helps us find the best strategies to achieve their goals!
FAQs
Check out some helpful information before our intro call!
How do you work with advisors?
I collaborate with Fee-Only advisors who are looking for a diligent and experienced outsourced planner to assist with financial plan preparation and tax planning. I am adaptable and can easily adjust to the advisor's preferred workflow and approach. Together, we create a collaborative process that can be fine-tuned as we work side by side.
Do you client-face?
While I truly love interacting with clients, I specialize in offering back-office support. This means that I won't be able to join your client meetings to take notes, and I also won't directly contact your clients via email. I'm here to support you behind the scenes!
What tax planning software do you use?
I have a strong skillset in Holistiplan, BNA Tax Planner, and CFS TaxTools, and I'm flexible in adapting to any tax planning tool your firm uses. I'm also familiar with different tax return preparation software. Being an Excel enthusiast, I excel at summarizing tax projections to tell the story you wish to share with your clients. It's not just about software knowledge; it's about staying updated on evolving tax regulations and figures, and applying them effectively to each client's unique circumstances.
How do you handle sensitive client data?
I prioritize safeguarding your clients' sensitive and confidential information. Being an Enrolled Agent, it's part of my yearly routine to confirm to the IRS that I maintain a Written Information Security Plan (WISP). I can share it with you upon request.
What differentiates you from other outsourced planners?
I started my journey in financial planning as a paraplanner, a role that many advisors consider as a stepping stone for handling administrative tasks. With my background as a CFP® professional and IRS Enrolled Agent, along with my previous experience as a global mobility tax advisor and tax return preparer, I can offer valuable technical support to advisors and act as an extra pair of eyes for intricate tax planning scenarios.
How do I start working with you?
Let's start by having a friendly chat to understand your paraplanning requirements and see if we're a good match to collaborate. We'll also talk about pricing and how billing works. If you choose to work with eParaplanner, I'll send over the independent contractor agreement for you to sign before we kick off our projects together. Just a heads up, we'll need to run a quick background check before diving into any tasks. Looking forward to meeting you!
What is your fee structure?
Starting at $100 per hour, with a minimum commitment of 5 hours per month, we offer discounted rates when you choose to commit to more hours. To learn more about our eParaplanner services, simply book your eParaplanner intro call and we will happily provide you with our detailed brochure. Looking forward to assisting you!
Do you require a signed contract?
As a freelance professional, I kindly ask advisors to sign eParaplanner's independent contractor agreement. I enjoy collaborating with advisors on a continuous basis after signing the agreement. Our partnership typically lasts for a minimum of three months. For new collaborations, I suggest starting with a three-month trial to ensure a good fit before extending our partnership further.
What financial planning software do you use?
I love working with eMoney, it's my go-to financial planning tool! I've also dabbled in MoneyGuide Pro/Elite and I'm currently learning the ropes with RightCapital. I've even had the pleasure of assisting advisors in creating personalized plan deliverables to complement their reports from the planning software.
Does my firm need to provide you with access to our planning tools?
In order for me to create financial plans for your clients, your firm will need to secure a support planner license for your financial planning software. Additionally, please set up separate user access for me to utilize your firm's Holistiplan and any other tech tools you prefer me to use (like CRM, file sharing apps, etc.). Remember, it's best to avoid sharing passwords for security reasons.
Do you prepare tax returns?
I enjoy assisting RIA owners with their financial and tax planning needs. I work closely with financial planning firms to create tailored financial plans, provide tax projections, and conduct tax research. If your firm offers tax return preparation services, I am happy to help with any extra work that may arise. It's important to mention that I do not provide standalone tax preparation services. Also, as eParaplanner does not have E&O insurance, the advisor would need to sign the tax returns.
How long have you provided outsourced planning services?
I started eParaplanner back in 2018 right after acing the CFP® exam. Since then, I've been happily assisting advisors with creating financial plans, conducting tax research and planning, and offering tax preparation services.
Do you work with RIAs associated with broker-dealers?
I work with financial planners who are Fee-Only and not affiliated with broker-dealers. This allows me to provide the best service to my clients without any restrictions or compliance issues.
Are you a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)?
No. eParaplanner is here to support you without any worries about non-compete issues.
Testimonials
She has supported me in in a way that not only has allowed me to focus more on client relationships, assisting with many financial planning tasks and procedures as well as directly executing financial plans, but she has also taught me things that add depth and richness to my work and my client's situations. Her knowlege of tax, both domestic and international, is a boon to any financial planning practise. Her attention to detail is appreciated. She has a desire to learn and a curiousity that has her constantly going above and beyond to understand each and every part of the job she's been assigned. I highly recommend Sandy.
Ariadne Horstman, CFP®
Appreciate Finance
Sandy is an exceptional paraplanner... She has learned several new software systems for portfolio management, financial planning, tax preparation and planning very quickly and has supported us with many financial client needs. Sandy is also very resourceful and thorough. She enthusiastically engages herself in new projects, always open to new learning experiences. She is exceptionally qualified with her CFP and EA credentials... We highly recommend Sandy if you, as a financial planner, need expert support.
Diane Ouellette, MBA, CFP®
Gold Canyon Financial Planning
Have a question?
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Let's chat!
During our upcoming 30-minute phone call, let's chat about your unique planning requirements and explore how we can collaborate together.
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