Reflections After One Year – and Why I’m Committed for the Long Run
It is crazy to believe I have been a part of the Aurora family for a year now. This has been an awesome run, and there is no end in sight. I initially joined Aurora to have the ability to do what’s best for my clients and to free myself from product minimums. After a year at Aurora, I can confidently say that decision was the best one I have made. This is due to many factors, including the value added to clients, the efficiency and teamwork within the Aurora team, and the overall Aurora atmosphere.
The value Aurora provides for our clients is significant. This value is driven by many factors, including fees, financial planning, investment management, and accessibility. Our fees at Aurora are below the industry average, which is something we can provide because of our teamwork at AFS. Our clients are also not charged for creating financial plans, which is often not the case elsewhere. We believe financial plans are the framework for every recommendation we provide and do not believe in charging an additional fee for that service.
Our financial plans allow us to guide clients while visually showing how decisions affect their future—recommendations that are backed by real math and the knowledge of our fiduciaries. Having plans rooted in sound mathematical projections allows us, as advisors, to ensure that what we are recommending is the best course of action for the client. Our investment management team, led by Austin, does incredible work. Austin ensures our clients are invested in strategies aligned with their goals. Lastly, our accessibility is unmatched. This is due to our efficiency as a firm, which will be touched on below. It is important to us that we are there for clients when they need us. Whether it’s answering a question or completing service on an account, we are available whenever needed.
The teamwork at Aurora is unparalleled. Whether it’s helping each other complete a task that needs to be done immediately or covering for one another when someone is out of the office, everyone has an open door and is willing to help. This allows us to be highly efficient in completing daily tasks and preparing for upcoming meetings. Collaboration between advisors and Austin happens multiple times per day, and communication with Reed around creating financial plans is very in-depth to ensure we deliver the best plans possible for our clients. Being a member of the Aurora team allows me to be more accessible to clients rather than trying to operate as a lone wolf. Because I’m not a one-person team, I have more time to meet new people, assist our community, and help grow the firm.
The Aurora atmosphere is outstanding. I truly enjoy coming into the office every day to work with our team. We all understand the importance of completing our responsibilities and doing so with excellence, but we have not let that detract from our work environment. The relationships at Aurora are strong; as a result, we have a positive and collaborative culture. This is also one of the main reasons we are able to be so efficient in the work and service we provide.
It is safe to say this has been a great first year at Aurora. I am looking forward to many more years ahead and to the continued growth and success of the firm, all while assisting our neighbors and community. As we continue to provide guidance to our clients, our service strengthens the community we serve—and there is no place I would rather do that than here at Aurora.