Business Details
Your Trusted Partner for Comprehensive Wealth Management
Financial Principles is a boutique private financial advisory practice dedicated to providing comprehensive wealth management, investment strategies, and long-term financial planning. We serve corporate executives, small business owners, retirees, divorcees, widows, and high-net-worth individuals and families, prioritizing the fiduciary standard to ensure objective, client-first advice. With decades of combined experience, our team offers specialized expertise in retirement planning, estate strategies, asset allocation, and business planning, integrating personalized solutions tailored to each client's unique circumstances.Our collaborative team approach ensures every relationship receives three layers of support, fostering seamless service and proactive communication. As part of Hightower Advisorsa community ranked #2 on Barron's Top RIA Firms list since 2021we combine local roots in Northern New Jersey and NYC with nationwide resources, maintaining a strong commitment to community service and ethical financial guidance.
Services
Wealth Management
Investment Planning
Retirement Planning
Estate Planning
Corporate Planning
Education Planning
Insurance Planning
Tax Planning
Wealth Transfer
Asset Allocation
Highlights and features
- We uphold the fiduciary standard, prioritizing client interests above all.
- Our advisors have decades of experience in personalized wealth management.
- We employ a collaborative team approach with three layers of client support.
- We are part of Hightower Advisors, ranked #2 on Barron's RIA Firms list.
- We maintain a strong commitment to community service in Northern New Jersey and NYC.
Associations and certifications
- SEC
- FINRA
- SIPC
Services
Wealth Management
Our Wealth Management services integrate financial planning, investment strategies, and risk management tailored to individual goals. We develop customized portfolios considering risk tolerance, time horizons, and life milestones while coordinating with CPAs and attorneys to ensure tax-efficient, holistic solutions for long-term financial success.
Retirement Planning
Specializing in retirement income planning, we analyze Social Security optimization, tax-efficient withdrawals, and sustainable distribution strategies. Our comprehensive approach addresses 401(k)s, IRAs, and non-qualified plans while incorporating healthcare costs and longevity considerations to help clients maintain their lifestyle throughout retirement.
Estate Planning
Estate Planning services focus on creating tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies through trusts, charitable giving, and generational planning. We collaborate with legal experts to develop durable powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and legacy strategies that align with clients' values while minimizing estate tax liabilities.
Corporate Planning
Corporate Planning services assist business owners with employee benefit plans, succession strategies, and liquidity planning. We evaluate buy-sell agreements, business valuations, and executive compensation structures to help entrepreneurs maximize company value and transition smoothly through ownership changes or retirement.
Investment Management
Our Investment Management services utilize diversified portfolios across stocks, bonds, ETFs, and alternative assets. With ongoing monitoring and rebalancing, we align investments with clients' risk profiles while leveraging Hightower's research capabilities to access institutional investment products and proprietary asset allocation models.
People
Bradley H. Bofford
Managing Director, Partner
Bradley H. Bofford is a Managing Director and Partner at Financial Principles. He focuses on financial planning and investment management, bringing over two decades of experience to help clients achieve their wealth management goals through customized strategies.
Michael A. Flower
Managing Director, Partner
Michael A. Flower serves as Managing Director and Partner, specializing in retirement income planning and business succession strategies. With 20+ years in financial services, he helps clients navigate complex tax and investment decisions to achieve long-term financial security.
Daniel G. Trout
Partner
Daniel G. Trout, a Partner at Financial Principles, focuses on estate planning and wealth transfer strategies. He brings extensive experience in creating tax-efficient solutions for high-net-worth families while maintaining a fiduciary approach to client relationships.
Steven Gelber
Wealth Advisor
Steven Gelber serves as Wealth Advisor with expertise in investment portfolio management and asset allocation. He develops diversified strategies tailored to client risk profiles while leveraging Hightower's institutional research to enhance portfolio performance.
Andrew Olivier
Wealth Advisor
Andrew Olivier, a Wealth Advisor, specializes in retirement planning and education funding strategies. He helps clients navigate 529 plans, financial aid evaluations, and tax-efficient withdrawal methods to support generational wealth transfer.
Questions
Are you legally required to act in my best interest?
Yes, as SEC-registered investment advisers and Hightower advisors, we operate under the fiduciary standard, legally obligated to prioritize client interests above all other considerations in all recommendations.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While our main offices are in Fairfield, NJ, and New York, NY, we serve clients throughout the United States through virtual meetings and local community engagement in Northern New Jersey.
How do you charge for your services?
Our fee structure is transparent and based on the complexity of client needs. Specific pricing details can be discussed during a consultation, as we tailor compensation models to individual service requirements.
What differentiates Financial Principles from other firms?
We combine local community ties with national resources from Hightower Advisors, offering personalized service through a three-layer team approach while maintaining fiduciary accountability recognized by Barron's Top RIA Firms ranking.
How often do you review investment portfolios?
We provide ongoing portfolio monitoring with quarterly performance reviews, regular rebalancing as needed, and proactive communication during significant market changes or personal circumstance updates between scheduled client meetings.
