A long-time client recently asked me: “With all the growth happening at BIP Wealth, is the plan to prepare the firm to be acquired?”
My answer was simple: “No.”
I am excited to come to work everyday because we are building something special. I genuinely hope my own children will want to be a part of this firm one day. Selling is not the goal. Serving clients for many years to come and exceeding their expectations are the goals.
It’s interesting to see how most advisory firms are built. When an advisor starts an RIA, the traditional path to personal financial reward at the end of a career is to sell the firm when it is time to retire. That is how the model has worked for most founders. At BIP Wealth, our value proposition, in conjunction with BIP Capital, has given me a different path that creates personal net worth through selective, successful private investments, rather than an eventual sale. That distinction matters. It means my interests as CEO of BIP Wealth and the interests of our clients and team members are aligned in a way that is genuinely unique in this industry.
We are not building toward an exit. We are building a legacy for the future.
This client’s question still deserves a more complete answer because our inorganic growth at BIP Wealth is real, and it is intentional. Here is the thinking behind it.
This is not a prediction because it is already happening, and the pace is accelerating. The firms that will be best positioned to serve clients over the next decade are the ones building the scale and resources to keep up with a rapidly changing landscape. Private market investment offerings that were once out of reach for individual investors are now accessible; however to do this as a fiduciary, you need infrastructure, due diligence, and specialist expertise. The capabilities clients deserve today are simply more resource-intensive than they were ten years ago.
At BIP Wealth, we believe we are significantly ahead of that curve. Our growth—through new partnerships, new team members, and relationships like the one we recently formed with Constellation Wealth Capital—is not growth for its own sake. It is growth in service of our clients.
One thing that is important to us is to have a low ‘client-to-advisor’ ratio so we can give our clients our full attention, along with a high level of personalized service. That commitment does not move. It is the foundation of how we ensure every client receives responsiveness, customization, and the quality of advice they deserve. As we grow, that standard grows with us.
The other thing I have found in our recent partnerships with the teams from The Money Advisor Group in Columbus and Prehmus Financial in Peachtree Corners is something I did not initially anticipate: each acquisition is making us better. When great teams with strong track records join BIP Wealth, they challenge us. They ask questions about why we do certain things the way we do. And we do the same for them. That exchange—different approaches, shared values—raises the bar for everyone, including our clients.
So when someone asks whether this growth will change things, my response is: “Yes, for the better.”
More capability, deeper expertise, and a team that is stronger than any of us would be on our own. The things that define who we are—our integrity, our commitment to our clients’ best interest, and the relationships we have built—those do not change.
We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us. Everything we are building is in service of earning that trust, every single day.
As always, if you have any questions or if we can do anything to serve you and your family better, please let us know.
Divorce ranks among the most financially complex transitions a person can face. Legal proceedings move quickly, emotions run high, and the financial decisions made during that window can shape a client’s life for decades. BIP Wealth has long believed that great financial guidance means showing up for clients during every major life event—not just the milestones worth celebrating, but the difficult ones too.
That commitment is reflected in our firm’s growing team of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA®s). BIP Wealth is proud to have two advisors who hold this specialized designation: Marcia Mayoue, CFP®, CFA®, CDFA®, in our Atlanta office, and Ashley Arrington, CFP®, CEPA®, CDFA®, in our Nashville office.
A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst is a financial professional who specializes in the financial dimensions of divorce. While a divorce attorney navigates the legal process, a CDFA® focuses on what the numbers actually mean for a client’s life going forward. The two work hand in hand, with the CDFA® providing analysis that helps inform settlement decisions and long-term financial strategy.
The CDFA® designation is awarded through the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts® (IDFA®) and requires rigorous coursework, an examination, and a commitment to ongoing education. Professionals who hold the designation are equipped to analyze asset division, evaluate tax implications, model retirement outcomes, and help clients understand the full financial picture before any agreement is finalized.
Working with a CDFA® is most effective when clients engage early, ideally before formal proceedings begin. Simple steps taken at the outset, like gathering financial records, inventorying assets, and understanding account access, can make the difference between a smooth process and one layered with avoidable complications.
A CDFA® can help answer some of the most consequential questions clients face during this time:
A CDFA® also serves as a bridge between legal strategy and personal financial reality. What makes sense on paper in a settlement agreement does not always translate into a secure financial future. Having a CDFA® involved means those two things stay aligned.
BIP Wealth was founded on the belief that every client deserves a personal CFO, someone who understands the full scope of their financial life and helps make decisions with clarity and confidence. That philosophy applies even more during a divorce, when the stakes are high and the path forward can feel uncertain.
Having advisors with the CDFA® designation means BIP Wealth clients going through a divorce don’t have to navigate these financial complexities alone. From asset division and tax strategy, to retirement planning and cash flow analysis, the firm’s CDFA®s are equipped to provide the kind of grounded, forward-looking guidance that helps clients move from a place of upheaval to one of stability.
Marcia Mayoue was the first advisor on our team to hold the CDFA® designation, and has built meaningful expertise working with clients at every stage of the divorce process—those preparing for proceedings, navigating active settlements, and rebuilding financially in the aftermath. Her experience gives her a deep understanding of how to translate complex financial analysis into decisions clients can feel confident about.
We are thrilled to announce that Ashley Arrington has successfully completed all the requirements to earn her Certified Divorce Financial Analyst designation. Ashley’s pursuit of this credential reflects both her commitment to her clients and something deeply personal.
“I have seen first-hand the way that divorce can affect a family financially, having helped my own parents through their divorce later in life,” shared Ashley.“I know through experience that seemingly minor details can be a make-or-break financial decision when played out over a lifetime.”
That lived experience informs Ashley’s approach with every client she serves. She understands that the decisions made during a divorce are not abstract, they are deeply human, with consequences that extend far into the future. Earning the CDFA® designation gives her an additional set of tools to match that understanding with rigorous financial analysis.
A divorce attorney and a CDFA® serve different roles. Your attorney handles the legal process; your CDFA® handles the financial analysis that informs it. Working with both gives you a fuller picture and can help prevent costly financial mistakes that aren’t always apparent from a legal standpoint alone.
The earlier, the better. CDFA®s do their most effective work when engaged before formal proceedings begin. Early involvement allows time to gather records, understand the full financial picture, and approach settlement discussions with clear data rather than reactive decisions.
Yes. Retirement assets are often among the most significant—and most misunderstood—components of a divorce settlement. A CDFA® can model different scenarios and help clients understand the long-term implications of dividing retirement.
If you or someone you know is preparing for, navigating, or recovering from a divorce, BIP Wealth’s team is here to help. Marcia Mayoue and Ashley Arrington bring both expertise and genuine care to every client relationship, serving as a support system to clients during one of life’s most challenging transitions. Reach out to learn more about how BIP Wealth can support you.
BIP Wealth, a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) headquartered in Atlanta with over $5.5B in assets under management has partnered with Constellation Wealth Capital (CWC) to receive a strategic investment to support BIP’s continued growth. Recently named to Financial-Planning.com’s 2025 Top 150 RIA Fee-only Firms List, as well as the top 3 on the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2025 Best Places to Work List for medium-sized companies, BIP Wealth focuses on holistic wealth management and sophisticated planning solutions for high-net-worth individuals and families, institutional clients, and corporate retirement plans. CWC is a partner to growing wealth management firms and known for its flexible, long-term, minority investments. CWC’s deep advisory focus supports the partner firm’s management team scale effectively, while preserving independence.
CWC’s investment builds upon BIP Wealth’s foundational excellence in client service and advisor support. BIP gained $725M in new organic assets under management in 2025 and expects to exceed that benchmark in 2026, in part supported by CWC’s strategic advisory efforts. Additionally, CWC’s investment will provide BIP with capital to further partner with successful wealth management firms and broaden BIP’s impact in the Southeast and beyond.
“We want to offer our client-first, servant leadership model to other firms looking for a solution. Whether a founder is looking for help with their succession plan or wanting to fuel their next stage of growth, we want to partner with like-minded people,” shared Bill Harris, CFP®, Co-Founder & CEO of BIP Wealth. “This partnership with CWC will open new doors of growth in our business that will benefit our clients and our entire team. We have a lot to offer with our deep expertise in private investments and advanced planning capabilities with Estate Planning and Tax Professionals on our team. I’m excited about the future of where BIP Wealth is headed as we continue to grow.”
Announced in 2024, BIP’s acquisition strategy complements its strong organic growth by partnering with culturally-aligned, service-first firms and founders. With more than $1.2B of assets under management added via two new partnerships—The Money Advisor Group in 2024 and Prehmus Financial in 2025—BIP expects CWC’s investment will accelerate its inorganic growth pipeline. Chase Corporate Advisory’s Jeff Singh represented BIP Wealth throughout the process to determine the best capital partner on a go-forward basis and made the initial introduction between BIP and CWC.
“At the end of the day, we want to partner with people who value what we do. We’re looking for people who are fiduciaries first and respect our values,” reiterated Bill Harris. “Our unique investment platform empowers advisors who want flexibility in the portfolio management and planning process. I want to extend our value proposition to advisors not just in the Southeast, but to select other centers of innovation around the country.”
One thing that’s clear is that BIP will continue to be highly selective, yet competitive, as they pursue firms to partner with who share a similar cultural alignment. BIP wants to be the partner of choice for RIAs looking to accelerate growth and expand solutions for clients, while being part of a collaborative culture.
“When we look for qualities in a firm to partner with, the BIP Wealth team checked all the boxes,” expressed Karl Heckenberg, President & Managing Partner of Constellation Wealth Capital. “It’s important to us to partner with people who value partnership and client service. Seeing their impressive organic growth and dedication to clients, we knew we wanted to link arms and help support the growth of the BIP Wealth platform in the future.”
BIP Wealth maintains 5 offices: Atlanta, Alpharetta, Columbus, and Peachtree Corners, GA, and Nashville, TN, while serving clients across the country.
Check out our official Press Release on PR Newswire here.
This financial planning checklist outlines the key steps to take as you prepare for the year ahead, better positioning you to navigate market changes, tax updates, and shifting personal priorities with confidence.
The first step in any year-end financial planning checklist is revisiting your goals. If you’re planning for retirement, saving wealth for unexpected life events, or preparing for significant milestones such as your child’s education costs, clarifying your objectives helps anchor your plan and ensures that every financial decision supports the future you want.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Estate planning remains an essential part of any comprehensive financial planning checklist, and 2026 brings an important update. The federal estate and gift tax exemption was originally set to drop at the start of 2026, but the One Big Beautiful Bill that passed in July prevented that reduction and instead increased the exemption.
Beginning January 1, 2026, the federal exemption rises to $15 million per individual or $30 million for married couples, with automatic inflation adjustments beginning in 2027. This change offers more predictability for long-term planning and allows families to revisit their strategies with greater clarity.
As you review your plan, consider the following:
Including your estate plan in your financial planning checklist helps your strategy stay aligned with your goals and the latest tax landscape.
Your investment strategy should evolve alongside changes in your life and the market. As part of your financial planning checklist, take time to evaluate whether your portfolio is still positioned to support your objectives.
A thorough review of your financial management plan may include:
Tax law changes and annual inflation adjustments make it worthwhile to revisit how your savings accounts contribute to your long-term financial strategy. As part of your year-end financial planning checklist, review your contributions to:
The IRS publishes annual updates on retirement contribution limits and tax bracket thresholds to help taxpayers plan effectively. You can also explore how tax planning fits into your broader strategy with one of our dedicated financial advisors.
Retirement planning remains an important part of your financial planning checklist, and several SECURE Act 2.0 updates take effect in 2026 that may influence how you save. The most notable change involves how certain earners make catch-up contributions, along with new rules for plan accessibility and enrollment.
Beginning in 2026, employees who earned more than the inflation-adjusted wage threshold in the prior year must make their catch-up contributions on a Roth basis. The 2025 wage threshold is $145,000, and this number will be adjusted for inflation in 2026.
This update affects:
If a retirement plan does not allow Roth contributions, eligible high earners will not be able to make catch-up contributions until the plan is updated. This makes it important to understand how your employer intends to handle the change and whether updates are scheduled for the year ahead.
A few other SECURE Act 2.0 provisions also take effect in 2026, including:
You should review the details of your current retirement accounts and consider the following steps:
Including retirement updates in your comprehensive financial planning checklist makes sure your contributions remain aligned with the latest rules and your long-term objectives.
Charitable giving strategies look different in 2026 due to the return of itemized deduction limits and the introduction of a 0.5 percent AGI floor on charitable deductions. These updates may influence how and when deductions offer the greatest benefit.
When reviewing your charitable plan in your financial planning checklist, consider:
Navigating financial decisions during a year of legislative changes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to handle it alone. A financial advisor can help you interpret new rules, refine your investment strategy, and ensure that your plan remains aligned with your long-term goals.
If you would like support as you work through your financial planning checklist, the BIP Wealth team is ready to help you approach the year ahead with clarity and confidence. Contact us today to be connected with a trusted advisor.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Investors should seek legal and tax advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent estate planning attorney and tax advisor as tax laws are subject to interpretation, legislative change and unique to every specific taxpayer’s particular set of facts and circumstances.
January is the perfect time to start fresh and plan ahead for 2025. From ongoing changes in the market to the recent U.S. Presidential Election, there is a lot for both individuals and business owners to consider when reviewing their financial plans. From refining your investment strategies to ensuring your estate plan is up to date, a comprehensive new year financial checklist and review can uncover opportunities to strengthen your financial foundation. In this blog, we’ll discuss steps you can take to protect your wealth in the new year.
Because your goals act as the foundation for your wealth plan, the new year financial planning checklist is the perfect time to determine if anything needs changing.
Ask yourself a few of these questions: Are you on track to achieve your short- and long-term objectives? Do you need to adjust savings targets, diversify your investments, or reprioritize your spending? Reassessing your goals annually ensures you remain focused, intentional, and adaptable as you navigate the markets.
Although estate planning may seem like it’s only beneficial for those with significant net worths, we’d argue that it is important for everyone to regularly review (or establish). Life changes—such as marriages, divorces, births, or deaths—can impact your wishes, while shifting tax laws may create new opportunities or challenges. While going through your new year financial planning checklist, it may be in your best interest to revisit your estate plan to ensure it reflects your current circumstances and goals.
At BIP Wealth, we consider a wide range of factors when helping our clients plan their estate—from their unique financial goals to Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directives. Together, we’ll assist with your annual review to make sure you minimize your tax bill and help create generational wealth for your family.
While investing is a long-term way to build wealth, it is important to review your portfolio with your wealth manager when going through your new year financial planning checklist. Maintaining the right mix of investments such as small vs. large-cap investments, exchange traded funds (ETFs) vs mutual funds, and private vs. public investments, can help ensure you have a diversified portfolio to weather market fluctuations. During your new year financial planning, you can ensure your investments properly match your financial goals and are risk-tolerant. Rebalancing your portfolio can help restore the intended balance between stocks, bonds, and other asset classes, allowing you to manage risk effectively.
One of the best ways to build long-term wealth is through tax-advantaged accounts, such as 401(k) plans. These accounts enable your money to grow over time without the burden of hefty annual tax bills. In fact, regulatory changes in 2024 allowed investors to commit more money than ever to their plans, ensuring more wealth grows tax-advantaged.
For families, don’t overlook the power of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), too. These accounts provide a triple tax benefit: contributions are tax-deductible, earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified expenses are tax-free.
If you have children who are planning on going to college, 529 plans are another great option to consider when going through your new year financial planning checklist. By utilizing accounts like these, you can fortify your wealth for the long term.
If you’re a business owner who offers or is looking to offer 401(k) benefits to your employees, it is not a set-and-forget type of strategy. One of the most important small business new year checklist steps is to benchmark your 401(k) plan. Why is this important? This can help you evaluate the costs of your plan and potentially find ways to reduce your tax bill. During the benchmarking process, your financial advisor will help you identify new investment opportunities to meet both your goals and the goals of your employees.
Finally, consider whether you’d like to set money aside for charitable contributions when going through your year-end financial checklist, as they can offer more tax benefits in the new year. You can also take advantage of the annual gift tax exclusion, which allows you to gift up to $18,000 (for 2024) per recipient without incurring gift taxes. If you’re married, you can double this amount by gifting jointly. This is an excellent way to transfer wealth to the next generation while minimizing taxes.
If you’re looking for holistic wealth management services like you read about above, be sure to reach out to our team. You can also check out our resources hub to learn more about the latest topics in the financial world.
It is important to establish a new year financial planning checklist that helps you identify financial planning opportunities, new investment ideas, and ways to minimize taxes. This can help you grow your wealth over time while losing as little to tax bills as possible.
A new year financial planning checklist can help you ensure your goals are being met and that your financial plan is sound.
Yes! For individuals, families, and business owners, consulting a financial advisor here at BIP Wealth can be a great way to simplify the process. Think of our team as your Personal CFO.
In life, things often change in a heartbeat. Unexpected life events can have serious financial consequences if not planned for. Whether it’s a medical emergency, job loss, or natural disaster, being financially prepared for life’s unexpected events is essential. The right planning can make dealing with unexpected life events less stressful, ensure you have proper cash flow, and even protect your wealth in the long term. In this guide, we’ll break down the importance of understanding unexpected life events and how to best plan for them.
Before we dive into strategies for dealing with unexpected life events, let’s first establish what situations you should financially plan for and why they’re important.
Although it is not easy, have you ever imagined a scenario in which a loved one suddenly passes away? What would be your financial plan? You may be left with a large inheritance. You may also have not been the main financial planner of the family. How would you go about accessing funds in a bank account or trust fund, for example? Without proper estate planning, which we’ll discuss later, you could be left in a financial situation that is tough to navigate.
Divorce can be a financially destabilizing event, often requiring the division of assets, legal fees, and more. When you factor in wealth, you must consider the complexities that come with dividing assets, such as real estate holdings, investment portfolios, and business interests. So, how can you best navigate this unexpected life event? For starters, a robust financial plan can be a major asset in helping smoothly navigate the significant life transition that comes with a divorce. It’s crucial to assess the impact of asset division on your long-term financial goals, including retirement planning and estate planning. Additionally, understanding the tax implications of asset transfers can help you strategize effectively to protect your wealth.
Disabilities caused by illness or injury could strike at any time. Financial planning for this unexpected life event can help those affected maintain the best possible standard of living, even in the event of lost income or wages. While you may have significant assets, ensuring that you have enough liquid funds to cover the immediate expenses of an unexpected life event is important to consider. When assessing your investment strategy, ensure a portion of your portfolio is easily accessible.
Did you know that 50% of all business transactions are involuntary? Disagreements between business partners can potentially threaten the business’s future, and therefore your personal financial goals as well. That’s why it’s important to have a detailed buy-sell agreement in place that outlines the terms under which a partner’s share of the business can be sold or transferred, preventing potential conflicts, ensuring business continuity, and protecting your legacy.
Economic downturns, natural disasters, and personal crises like job loss or major health issues can cause financial distress and unexpected cash flow needs. This can be mitigated by proactive measures that allow you to access capital when you need it most. So, let’s discuss ways that you can properly plan for unexpected life events.
When unexpected life events occur, a solid financial plan gives you more than just peace of mind. For many, it is the difference between having the right amount of money in place and not being able to properly pass wealth down to their families.
If you’re a business owner, ask yourself some of the following questions: Am I prepared to retire? Who will succeed me in leading the business? Do I need any support from my financial advisor? A comprehensive review of your business plan could be a great way to avoid any financial pitfalls caused by an unexpected life event such as death or disagreement.
On top of this, it is important to ensure you’re properly bankrolled for your retirement years. This will help you and your loved ones access money in the event of any unexpected life events which may occur in your later years.
Another great strategy for staying one step ahead of unexpected life events is estate planning. This is a crucial part of any long-term financial plan. It involves creating legal documents such as a will, trusts, and power of attorney, which provide clear instructions on how your estate’s assets are to be distributed.
Without an estate plan, your assets could be subject to lengthy probate processes, potentially causing financial strain and uncertainty for your loved ones. On top of this, you may be paying more in taxes on your estate than you could with the right plan. For example, passing down certain assets to loved ones before death could help you receive different tax breaks.
It is important to regularly review your estate plan with your BIP Personal Wealth Advisor to ensure it remains up-to-date at all times.
In some cases, insurance coverage can be the best way to deal with unexpected life events. Imagine a scenario such as a car accident or house fire. Without proper insurance coverage, the financial burden could be life-altering. Imagine if you and your family lost a vacation home to flooding, for example. Insurance could be the safety net that protects you and your family from significant financial loss due to unexpected expenses.
Consider life insurance in addition to traditional coverage such as home, auto, and health. If you’re the main earner of your family, life insurance can help keep your loved ones taken care of in the event of your unexpected passing or injury.
On top of the strategies listed above, planning for life’s unexpected events can be difficult alone. At BIP Wealth, our holistic and empathetic approach to financial planning ensures that every client’s financial needs are handled with personalized care. From inheritance management to estate organization to financial education, we help individuals, families, and businesses navigate the waters of unexpected expenses and life-changing events—whether you’ve recently lost a loved one, won the lottery, or sold a business. Through expert guidance and risk management, our team of experienced financial advisors will help keep your hard-earned assets protected under any circumstance. To learn more about our team or speak with an advisor, feel free to contact us at any time.
Unexpected life events include things such as injury, divorce, disagreement, and more. Financially, these events can be life-altering.
To best prepare for unexpected life events, it is important to have a financial plan in place ahead of time. This plan can include insurance coverage, income diversification, and estate planning to ensure you and your loved ones can access funds in times of need.
Those who assume unexpected life events will not occur to them tend to be the hardest hit. It is important to assume you will need financial support at certain times of your life, even if you never end up needing the help.
Examples of life-changing events include death, divorce, auto accidents, and plenty more. These events could bring financial and emotional stress.
This communication contains general investing information that is not suitable for everyone and is subject to change without notice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results and there is no guarantee that any views and opinions expressed will come to pass. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice, tax advice, or financial planning advice, and should not be considered a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Investing in the stock market and the bond market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Indices are not available for direct investment.
We are thrilled to announce that for the third year in a row, BIP Wealth has been recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of Atlanta’s Best Places to Work, marking another milestone in our commitment to excellence. This year, we proudly rank #1 for Medium-sized companies, standing alongside other esteemed honorees such as Peachtree Planning Group, Snellings Walters Insurance Agency, and CA South, LLC. This recognition is particularly meaningful as it reflects the trust and satisfaction of our most valuable asset—our employees.
For our team, this accolade is not just about having a great workplace—it’s about the culture we’ve cultivated along the way. Human connection is at the core of our philosophy, both in our client work and within our team. We believe that when our employees feel valued, heard, and supported, they are empowered to deliver exceptional service to our clients.
“We’re honored that BIP Wealth has been recognized for the 3rd year in a row by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the best places to work and this year as #1! Our venture capital firm, BIP Ventures, also made the rankings in their category this year, which is exciting too,” shared Bill Harris, CFP®, Co-Founder and CEO of BIP Wealth. “When Mark Buffington and I started BIP together in 2007, we wanted to create a culture of excellence in service to our clients and our team members at the firm. It’s particularly meaningful to me that both BIP Wealth and BIP Ventures are being recognized for one of our key values… a team-centric approach that fosters an environment of open communication and excellence. Our team supports each other and goes the extra mile for our clients.”
Founded in 2007, BIP Wealth is committed to improving our clients’ financial lives through highly personalized planning and investment strategies including direct and unique access to private market opportunities. Our comprehensive services include wealth planning and management, tax planning, estate planning, and more, and are designed to meet our clients’ current needs and future goals.
“Not only does our team work exceptionally hard for our clients, they’re also all incredible people,” adds Nate Smith, BIP Wealth Chief Operating Officer. “The community that Bill has cultivated within our team, clients and partners makes BIP a very special place to work.”
Servant Leadership: We lead with humility and respect, always putting our clients’ needs first. This commitment to servant leadership enables us to provide holistic wealth management services that strengthen our clients’ financial security.
Collaboration: Our team-centric mindset fosters an environment of open communication, blending our diverse expertise to create optimal financial strategies. We extend this collaborative spirit to our clients, ensuring a transparent wealth management process.
Excellence: We are relentless in our pursuit of growth with excellence, holding ourselves accountable to delivering industry-leading services. Our team guides clients through evidence-based investment strategies while unlocking opportunities in private equity, venture capital, and private credit typically reserved for the ultra-wealthy.
Sense of Community: We foster a sense of belonging within our team and among our clients. By extending our family-first ethos to everyone who interacts with BIP Wealth, we create a strong, supportive community.
At BIP Wealth, we’re not just a company; we’re a community of professionals dedicated to empowering each other and our clients. We invite you to learn more about our team and what makes BIP Wealth a special place or connect with our team. You can also visit us in person at one of our offices in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Columbus, and Nashville.
This recognition from the Atlanta Business Chronicle reaffirms our commitment to excellence, both in the workplace and in the services we provide to our clients. We look forward to continuing this journey together with our incredible team and valued clients.
Disclosure: BIP Wealth paid an application fee to be considered for the list, but the payment didn’t guarantee a place on the list. Companies are categorized by their size and nominated by their employees. Extra Large (500+ employees), Large (100-499 employees), Medium (50-99 employees), and Small (10-49 employees) companies were selected by the publication based on a number of factors, including employee engagement.
Neither rankings nor recognitions by unaffiliated rating services, publications, media, or other organizations, nor the achievement of any professional designation, certification, degree, or license, membership in any professional organization, or any amount of prior experience or success, should be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that the client will experience a certain level of results if the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services. No ranking or recognition should be construed as an endorsement by any past or current client of the investment professional or the investment professional’s firm.
ATLANTA — BIP Wealth is proud to announce the hiring of veteran Atlanta Estate Planning Attorney, Sarah Watchko to the role of Estate Planning Advisor. Over the past several years, BIP Wealth has collaborated with and referred clients to Sarah for Estate Planning creation and execution. Sarah will now lead the way in building out this important expertise in-house for BIP clients.
Sarah developed a passion during Law School for working with elderly clients and for clients who have a child with special needs. This was while she was working at the Elder Law Clinic at Wake Forest University in 2007. This led her to discover a career in estate planning, special needs planning, and elder law that could provide both intellectually demanding work and the opportunity to serve and improve the lives of others. Sarah finds immense joy in providing a high level of service, along with a calm and comforting demeanor to those navigating life’s challenges.
As a client of BIP, Sarah and her husband Jeff know firsthand the care BIP has for their clients but she never dreamed of joining the Team. “BIP’s CEO Bill Harris probably asked me about 15 – 20 times to consider joining the firm and I turned him down every time because I was happy in my previous role,” shared Sarah. “However, the more I learned about the role and what it could look like to build this for BIP’s clients from the ground up, it was clear this is an opportunity I couldn’t say no to.”
Sarah is particularly passionate about working with families navigating the complexities of special needs and hopes to elevate BIP as the go-to resource for those families in the Atlanta area. The greatest compliment she can receive is when a client shares, “You’ve taken the worry off my shoulders knowing the people I love most are protected.”
“We are honored that Sarah said yes to joining BIP and building out our Estate Planning Services! The care she provides clients aligns with our firm’s values perfectly,” shared Bill Harris, CFP®, Co-Founder & CEO of BIP Wealth. “I am excited for our future and all the ways this new internal capability will benefit the families at our firm in having peace of mind to be prepared for the future.”
An Atlanta native, Sarah lives in Roswell with her husband Jeff, son, daughter, and their loving mutt, Hank. She and her brother William attended Marist School in Atlanta. Both her brother and husband were collegiate athletes at Georgia Tech who went on to play professionally (the former football and the latter, baseball). Both families remain avid Georgia Tech fans. Sarah loves reading, spending time with friends and family, staying active, travel, and—in her rare free time—squeezing in a craft or baking project.
