Build a More Intentional Wealth Plan with Our Free Tax Assessment
Begin with a wealth plan built to grow your retirement income, cut unnecessary taxes, and align your investments with what matters most to you.
Our Three-Step Process
At Cogent Strategic Wealth, we know that successful professionals and business owners, like you, need more than just basic financial advice. You need a clear, tax-smart strategy to make your wealth work harder for you and now and into retirement.
Our free Tax-Smart Planning Assessment is a 3-step process designed to educate you so you can make an informed decision on working together.
We will spend the first 15 minutes of this meeting ensuring your situation matches our expertise.
If we mutually agree there is a potential fit, we will spend our remaining time learning more about you and your unique challenges.
We will also share more about our firm and answer your questions.
After our Discovery Meeting, we will securely request a few important documents from you.
These documents, coupled with what we learned during our first meeting, will help drive our analysis.
During this meeting, we will deliver the results of your Retirement Assessment.
Our analysis will show you exactly what you can do to improve your retirement plan, lower taxes, and optimize your investments.
Who We Serve
We specialize in working with high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs ready to transition to retirement with a personalized, tax-smart strategy.
Criteria List:
- Aged 50+ and looking to transition to retirement
- $ 3 M+ in personal liquidity from savings or asset sales
- Delegators who value expert guidance
- Driven by an ambition to make an impact on their family, business, and causes they care about
What's Included
Our streamlined 3-step process is designed to address the same core questions for every client
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Here are the answers to our most common questions about our services.
What makes Cogent Strategic Wealth unique?
We specialize in partnering with successful, high-achieving professionals and entrepreneurs to manage the complexity of their financial lives. Our clients often find themselves piecing together different financial components, and we’re here to help bring everything together in a cohesive strategy that works for them.
Are you a fiduciary?
Yes, as fiduciaries, we are committed to acting in your best interest at all times, always putting your needs and goals first.
How do you get paid?
We operate on a transparent, fee-only model. Unlike many in the industry, we do not receive kickbacks or commissions from recommending specific investments. Our only incentive is to ensure your financial success.
What is the commitment expected from me?
We work with intelligent, inquisitive clients ready to engage in a proactive financial planning process. This begins with an initial comprehensive assessment, followed by a partnership where we implement our strategic approach and conduct regular reviews.
How do you tailor your advice to each client?
Our approach is highly personalized. We take the time to understand your unique financial situation, goals, and aspirations, tailoring our advice to fit your needs.
Can you help me plan for major financial events like selling a business or transferring wealth?
Absolutely. We specialize in navigating significant financial transitions, ensuring they align with your long-term financial and life goals. We utilize tax-mitigation strategies to help you keep more of what you’ve worked for.
What should I expect in the first meeting?
Your first meeting is an exploratory session. We’ll discuss your financial goals, challenges, and what you seek in an advisory relationship. From there, we will use your documents to prepare your free assessment to present in the next meeting.
How often will we review my financial plan?
We typically conduct reviews annually, but more frequently if there are major changes in your financial life or in economic conditions. We aim to ensure your plan stays on track as your life evolves.
What is your investment philosophy?
We believe in evidence-based, long-term investment strategies focusing on growth, risk management, and tax efficiency. We invest our own personal assets in the same way we do for our clients—ensuring we align our interests with yours.
What is the average return on your client’s investments?
We don’t offer one-size-fits-all investments. Instead, we work with each client to create a personalized investment strategy that aligns with their goals and circumstances. As such, returns vary based on each client’s unique financial situation.
How can I track my investment performance and progress in my financial plan?
Clients have access to a secure online portal and an app where they can track their investment performance and monitor the progress of their financial plan in real time. You’ll also receive quarterly reports and regular updates from our team.
Will Cogent do my tax returns?
While we don’t prepare tax returns, we work closely with your tax advisor to implement tax-saving strategies and ensure that your financial plan is optimized from a tax perspective. If you need a new tax professional, we can connect you with trusted strategic partners we have curated.
Do I need to live in Illinois or Utah to work with your firm?
No, we serve clients across the U.S. and internationally. We leverage virtual meeting technology to maintain regular communication with clients no matter where they’re located.
How many clients do you have?
We pride ourselves on maintaining a select client group to ensure each one receives personalized, high-quality attention. Our firm is designed to provide tailored solutions, not serve hundreds of clients. This is very intentional.
Who will be my advisor?
Our founder, Michael Evans, leads the firm with a personal commitment to helping other high-achievers live life on their terms. He is supported by Kelly Stanley, CFP® MBA, and Liz Winkle, who ensure our clients’ highest level of service.
Ready to get started?
Our Tax-Smart Planning Assessment is a no-pressure way to get clarity on where you stand today and where you want to go.
From there, we’ll walk you through strategies tailored to your goals, focused on reducing taxes, strengthening your investments, and protecting what you’ve built.
You’ll walk away with a clear, personalized plan that puts you in control of your financial future on your terms.
Not Quite Ready to Meet?
We understand. If you’re not ready to schedule a meeting just yet, subscribe to our monthly “Cogent Advice” email. Get valuable insights, strategic perspectives, and market commentary delivered right to your inbox.