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Where Pre-Retirees & Retirees

Align Money With Meaning

Live the life you’d relive with tax-centric financial planning.


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"Aligning money towards a life that lets you do what you want, when you want, with who you want, where you want, for as long as you want, has incredible return."

- Morgan Housel, The Psychology of Money

After working hard towards your future, it's important to be intentional with every dollar to reach your financial goals.


At Birch Street Financial Advisors, we specialize in optimizing innovative tax strategies to prepare you for a stress-free retirement. With a personalized retirement plan, we will align your values with your human and financial resources, along with the autonomy to control how you spend your time.


Who We Serve


Have you had your head down, saving diligently for the future but not really knowing exactly what it looks like or what you were saving for? Do you want to be more intentional about accumulating for and living your best life before and into retirement?



If you’re in your late 40’s to early 50’s, let’s establish your plan to get to the next chapter.

Some questions you may have:

  • Can I leave the salaried job and start my own venture?
  • What are my retirement options?
  • When can we enjoy experiences on our bucket list?
  • How do we fund college education costs?
  • Do we have our risks managed?
  • Is our estate plan protecting our children and beneficiaries?

You’re in your late 50’s to 60’s.

We can help answer the following:

  • How do we fund retirement activities?
  • How do we create a family gathering space with a second home?
  • When should I start taking Social Security?
  • How do I effectively fund a long-term care event?
  • How do I help an aging parent?
  • Can I help my adult children?
  • What kind of legacy can I leave?



Case Studies


Case Study 1

Big Picture Planning

Angela & Dan


Ages: 48 & 50


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Case Study 2

Approaching Retirement

Monique & Martin


Ages: 56 & 60


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Case Study 3

Retire with Work Optional

Catherine


Age: 65


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Case Study 1


Big Picture Planning:

Angela & Dan

Ages: 48 & 50

Main Goals

Invest inheritance, fund their kid’s college education, leave a legacy to their kids and retire in their early 60’s.

Angela and Dan inherited cash from Angela’s mother. Their main focus was to put their idle cash “to work”. As we worked together, it became clear that the most pressing item they needed to address was to care for their two school age children, by providing them a college education and a legacy. They were short on their education funding and had no estate planning documents. They both had hectic schedules and needed to get a handle on their finances and how to align their goals with their money.

Our Strategy for Angela and Dan:

  • They funded tax optimized 529 plans using a portion of the inheritance. By using a front-end approach their money worked for them; by maximizing their investment time horizon for account growth, the less they had to save overall.
  • We made sure they had a guardian for their children, assets protected in a trust and no probate costs for their estate.
  • We determined how much life insurance they would need.
  • Legacy assets for the children and a portion of long-term care expenses will be funded with backdoor Roth IRA contributions and a Roth IRA conversion strategy. The taxes were paid with the inheritance.
  • They invested the remaining assets in a tax-efficient portfolio to continue funding their retirement savings.

We partnered with them to provide the support and guidance they needed to feel confident to move forward on a clear path to their goals!

Case Study 2


Approaching Retirement:

Monique & Martin

Ages: 56 & 60

Main Goals

Tax optimization strategy for exercising stock options, fund purchase of 2nd home, pay down primary mortgage and retirement options.

Monique and Martin are financial do-it-yourselfers. Monique left her consulting job to work for a tech start-up company which shows significant potential for growth and Martin works part-time for the government. Monique was awarded employer stock compensation, Incentive stock options (ISOs) and Non-Qualified stock options (NQSOs), that vest annually. They contribute extensively to their children’s 529 plans to fund undergraduate and graduate degrees as they value higher education. They want to make sure they have enough for retirement at 80% of their current income. They don’t want to give up control over their assets but know they need guidance with asset allocation and navigating the tax consequences of the stock compensation. They also dream of having a vacation home as a family gathering place; space for the family to gather as they grow.

The Plan Outcomes provided Monique and Martin the following:

  • Tax optimization strategy for stock option exercise considering the conversion of ordinary income to long-term capital gain, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) limits and the concentration of employer stock in their portfolio.
  • Funding strategy to purchase the vacation home.
  • Martin increased his pension benefits by going back to work full-time now that their youngest child is in college increasing retirement cash flow.
  • Increase cash flow during retirement by following a mortgage pay down plan.
  • Monitor and assess their asset allocation while they control their investments.

We collaborated with Monique and Martin to fit together all of the moving puzzle pieces of their life. They now have a cohesive approach to move forward to achieve their goals.

Case Study 3


Retire with Work Optional:

Catherine

Age: 65

Main Goals

Maintain a comfortable retirement lifestyle, gift to grandchildren and favorite charities, develop tax optimized stock diversification strategy.

Catherine enjoys her work. She is a marketing executive and her current income allows her to live a comfortable lifestyle. She has extensive employer incentive compensation, e.g. restricted stock, with a very low cost basis. Her portfolio is heavily weighted in her employer's stock. She has investment accounts, rollover IRAs from previous employer’s and an ESPP. She wants to scale back in the next few years but she’s not sure she will have adequate income to do that and still maintain her lifestyle. She wants to give money to her grandchildren for education funding and leave a legacy to some charities she’s passionate about. She’s unclear how a long-term care event or medical expenses will impact her savings during retirement.

The Plan Outcomes allowed Catherine to:

  • Have an income stream from Social Security payment optimization, part-time work, required minimum distributions from retirement plans, and sale of restricted stock and ESPP units where she could live comfortably and cover estimated medical expenses.
  • Reduce the capital gain tax impact of selling her employer stock.
  • Consolidate her accounts and align her asset allocation with her risk capacity.
  • Fund a legacy to her favorite charities.
  • Develop a gifting plan to her grandkids through tax-advantaged 529 plan contributions.
  • Provide tax optimized de-cumulation strategies from taxable and retirement accounts.

We helped take the pressure off Catherine to feel as though working was her choice and not a requirement in order to maintain a comfortable retirement lifestyle.

Why Work With Me?

No Commissions

As a fee-only advisor, our compensation is directly tied to client fees rather than commissions, fostering a client-focused approach and minimizing potential conflicts of interest. 

Unbiased Guidance

We will always prioritize your best interests, offering trustworthy and unbiased financial guidance.

20+ Years of Experience

As an experienced CFP® and CPA, we deliver vital expertise in comprehensive financial planning and strategic tax advice, ensuring clients benefit from informed solutions. With a commitment to ongoing education, we guarantee to stay current with industry changes to provide the most accurate solutions.

Committed Partner

Collaborating with us during the financial planning process ensures you receive personalized guidance, optimize your strategies, and accelerate the achievement of your financial goals.

Joanne Burke Photo

Joanne Burke

Founder, Financial Planner

joanne@birchstreetadvisors.com

I will work to help you live the life you’d relive. I know firsthand that it isn't easy going alone on the journey to define and work toward financial goals. I graduated from college in debt. I had to finance my undergraduate and master’s degrees. I worked throughout college, took out loans and applied for grants. Once I graduated and started earning real money, I knew I needed to “save for retirement” but had gotten conflicting money messages growing up about saving vs. spending. How was I going to juggle paying off student loan debt, save for retirement and a first home purchase? In addition, from my experience, I knew someday I wanted to give my children the gift of an education. I had to figure out how to pay for college, fund my retirement, fund my kid’s education and possibly help my aging parents on my own. This is what drew me to financial planning.

Learn More

Joanne Burke

Founder & CCO

joanne@birchstreetadvisors.com

I started my career in the tax arena and quickly found my passion for financial planning by preparing complex planning engagements for executive tax clients while working at KPMG, a Big 4 accounting firm. I left KPMG to join a start-up tax boutique CPA and the law firm where I delved deeper into comprehensive planning by adding estate planning engagements. After having my second child, I started a sister tax firm focused on tax consulting and compliance for individuals, estates and trusts. The practice grew as my children grew. Throughout my career, I have combined tax and financial planning. Tax-focused financial planning allows me to provide an in-depth assessment and analysis of retirement and estate planning scenarios for pre-retirees and retirees since these decisions are heavily tax-driven. Through Birch Street Financial Advisors, I work with you to define and work toward financial goals, while providing you a holistic approach to providing financial security and live the life you’d relive.

I have my CFP® CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CPA/PFS designations. I am the founder of Joanne Burke CPA PLLC, tax compliance and consulting firm and Birch Street Financial Advisors, an RIA firm. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting with a Specialization in Taxation from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. I am a member of the NoVA Society of Women CPAs, VA Society of CPAs –Northern Chapter, AICPA - Tax and Financial Planning sections, XY Planning Network and NAPFA. I am also affiliated with Garrett Investment Advisors.

I am married to Tom and we have two lovely daughters, Emily and Olivia. As a family, we value fitness and are avid Crossfitters. We have a Boston Terrier rescue dog named Macie who tirelessly plays fetch. I’ve served as Treasurer of the National Woman’s Party, a 501(c)(3) integral in passing the 19th Amendment – the woman’s right to vote and as co-chair of the Town of Vienna Conservation and Sustainability Commission for over 12 years. I’m passionate about promoting equal rights and living sustainably. I enjoy traveling with my family to visit friends around the globe, native gardening and mindfulness meditation to relax and unwind.

Services

Ongoing Financial
Planning Services

Investment
Management

Retirement Income & Social Security (SS) Optimization

Taxes can be one of the most significant costs during retirement so our focus is to keep them low. We consider your retirement assets and income to develop a withdrawal strategy so that you have a comfortable income stream and pay less tax.

We focus on the following to provide you an income stream:

  • Understand your current and future goals
  • Implement a savings plan
  • Size up expenses
  • Stress test your portfolio for different life events
  • Coordinate income streams from SS benefits, Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), pensions and other sources to reduce taxes
  • Optimize SS benefits by considering spousal benefits, other income, health issues and personal preference

Tax Planning


Taxes play a crucial role during retirement and surprisingly, you may have a larger tax bill than when you were working. We provide proactive tax planning and analysis calculations to minimize taxes before and during retirement.

We help you minimize your tax liability by providing the following:

  • Roth IRA conversion planning
  • Charitable giving planning
  • Tax loss harvesting
  • Asset location strategies
  • Deduction planning
  • Required withdrawal strategies

We offer tax preparation services through my sister firm Joanne Burke CPA PLLC.


Risk Management & Insurance

We review your current insurance benefits and help you determine what’s appropriate for your needs. We are not paid any commission on products and act in an advisory capacity. We review and assess the following types of insurance:

  • Long-Term Care Insurance
  • Disability Insurance
  • Home & Auto Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Umbrella Insurance

Estate Planning

Estate planning is critical to ensure your hard earned assets are protected in the event of incapacitation and your legacy is honored. We help you put together a plan to protect beneficiaries, protect young children, reduce taxes, and limit family conflict. Our estate planning services include:

  • Facilitate making or updating wills, health care proxy and power of attorney
  • Review beneficiary designations
  • Assess need for trusts in estate plan
  • Develop charitable and family gifting strategies
  • Ensure you have guardians for minor children




The financial planning process is ongoing. As your life changes, we continue to assess your plan and make modifications to fit your needs.


Our Fees

Ongoing Financial Planning


Up-front onboarding fee

monthly, quarterly or annual ongoing planning fee

$1,250
 Starts at $400/month for single clients and $500/month for couples depending upon complexity* 


(You can select your payment terms)

Please note: When paying an ongoing financial planning fee and also desiring investment advisory services, the AUM fee is reduced by 25 basis points per tier. 
If assets under management are in excess of $3MM, financial planning is included in the AUM fee. 

* Some factors that increase complexity include, but are not limited to, employer stock compensation, rental property, self-employed business owner, trusts in estate planning, and stock concentration.

We Act as Your Emotional Buffer

We don’t try to beat or time the market; we believe the market is largely efficient. We don’t gamble with your money; this is your life’s savings. We make investment decisions on your behalf to build long-term, strategic, diversified portfolios aligned with your risk tolerance and goals that take cost and taxes into consideration.

We also take your current holdings into consideration and incorporate them into the portfolio when appropriate. Investment management services are provided in addition to ongoing financial planning. I meet with clients twice a year to review the plan and determine if the portfolio is meeting the plan goals.


Asset Allocation

Be diversified across asset classes and asset types.

Investment Policy Statement

Document your investment objectives based on your goals and risk profile. Revisit your objectives annually.

Risk Management

Achieve long-term returns within your risk comfort zone so you can sleep at night.


Tax Efficiency

Minimize taxes on your portfolio by tax loss harvesting, minimizing capital gain exposure and selecting appropriate vehicles for different account types.

Investing Preferences

ESG Investing - Sustainability is important to us so we have impact investing options that allow you to connect your money with your values.

Retain legacy holdings - You don’t have to sell all of your assets to fit our models. We work to retain your legacy holdings as part of your portfolio.

Low Cost Investments

We select low cost vehicles that maximize your investable assets.


Our Fees

Assets Under Management


Account Value

Annual Advisory Fee

$0 - $1,000,000 0.95%
$1,000,000 - $2,500,000 0.80%
$2,500,001 - $5,000,000 0.70%
$5,000,001 and Above 0.50%


(You can select your payment terms)

Please note: When paying an ongoing financial planning fee, the AUM fee is reduced by 25 basis points per tier. 
If assets under management are in excess of $3MM, financial planning is included in the AUM fee. 

* Some factors that increase complexity include, but are not limited to, employer stock compensation, rental property, self-employed business owner, trusts in estate planning, and stock concentration.

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