Financial Second Opinion In Northern New England

Before you make a major money decision, it helps to have an independent, fee-only fiduciary review your plan. We offer clear, objective feedback on your investments, retirement strategy, and tax approach, with no obligation and no commissions.

Request Your Second Opinion Or Call 802-249-7107

100% Fee-Only, No Commissions

Since 1996 Independent Fiduciary Firm

CFP® Certified Financial Planner Professional

VT · NH Winooski & St. Johnsbury Offices

An Objective Review Of Your Financial Plan

A financial second opinion is a straightforward idea: an independent advisor takes a fresh look at where your money stands and tells you honestly what they see. You are not committing to a change, a product, or a relationship. You are simply getting a professional, unbiased perspective before you act.

At Milne Financial Planning, we serve individuals and families across Northern New England, including Vermont and New Hampshire, from our offices in St. Johnsbury and Winooski. As a fee-only fiduciary firm, our compensation comes entirely from our clients, not from commissions or product sales. That means when we review your plan, we have no incentive to recommend anything other than what is in your best interest.

A second opinion fits naturally within our One-Time Fee-Only Services. This is the ideal option if you want guidance without handing over management of your accounts. We collaborate to review your plan and provide clear direction, then you carry out the steps at your own pace. You get an expert, independent look for a defined fee, with no ongoing commitment and no products to buy.

Whether you are working with another advisor, managing things on your own, or approaching a decision like retirement or a Roth conversion, a one-time review can confirm you are on the right track or surface questions worth exploring further. Learn more about our One-Time Services and fees.

Why A Second Opinion Matters

Financial decisions compound over time. A small misalignment in how your portfolio is built, how your withdrawals are sequenced, or how your accounts are taxed can quietly cost you over the years. A second opinion is a low-cost way to check the fundamentals before those choices are locked in.

Uncover Hidden Costs

Fund expense ratios, layered advisory fees, and commission-based products can erode returns. An independent review helps you see what you are paying and what you are getting for it.

Confirm Your Strategy Fits

Your allocation and risk level should match your goals and timeline. We look at whether your current plan still lines up with where you are headed.

Reduce Avoidable Tax Drag

How and when you draw from accounts affects your lifetime tax bill. We review your approach with an eye toward tax-efficient retirement and conversion strategies.

Gain Clarity Before You Act

Big moves like retiring, rolling over a 401(k), or converting to a Roth deserve a careful look. A second opinion gives you confidence in the decision.

What A Second Opinion Review Covers

Our review is a focused, plain-language look at the areas that most affect your long-term outcome. We tailor the depth to your situation and connect what we find to related services when a deeper engagement makes sense.

Investment And Portfolio Review

We examine your asset allocation, diversification, risk level, and the costs embedded in your holdings, then compare them against your stated goals.

Ongoing Management

Retirement Planning Check

We look at your savings trajectory, income sources, and withdrawal approach to gauge whether your retirement plan is on solid footing.

Retirement Planning

Tax Planning Perspective

We assess account placement, withdrawal sequencing, and opportunities to reduce tax drag over your lifetime, not just in the current year.

Tax Planning

Roth Conversion Analysis

If a Roth conversion is on your mind, we help you weigh the timing, tax impact, and long-term benefit against your broader plan.

Roth Conversions

Comprehensive Financial Plan Review

For a fuller picture, we offer a one-time review that ties investments, retirement, and tax strategy together into a single coordinated view.

One-Time Plan Review

Financial Planning Guidance

When you want direction without asset management, we design a plan you carry out at your own pace, with clear next steps.

Financial Planning

Why Work With Milne Financial Planning

Choosing whom to trust with your future comes down to independence and standards. Our value rests on experience, transparency, and a fiduciary duty to put your interests first.

We are an independent Vermont firm serving Northern New England, including Vermont and New Hampshire, from offices in St. Johnsbury and Winooski, so you get a personal relationship and objective advice in one place.

Review our credentials and disclosures anytime through the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database, or read our Form ADV.

Fee-Only Fiduciary

One hundred percent of our compensation is paid by our clients. We accept no commissions, so our advice is free from product sales and sales quotas.
Independent Since 1996

Milne Financial Planning was founded in 1996 as a completely independent company, built to give honest, helpful answers focused on you and your goals.
Rooted In Vermont

We live and work where our clients do, with offices in St. Johnsbury and Winooski serving clients across Northern New England.
Coordinated, Objective Advice

Investments, retirement, and tax strategy are reviewed together, so each part of your plan supports the others rather than working against them.

Jamie Milne, CFP®

Founder, Milne Financial Planning

Jamie founded the firm in 1996 after working in banking and insurance, choosing a fee-only model because he does not believe in taking commissions. A CFP® professional, he takes his fiduciary oath seriously and centers every planning and investing decision on the client's best interest.

Katheryn Milne

Client Services Manager

Katheryn joined the firm in 2023 as Client Services Manager and is a CPA licensed in Vermont. She focuses on keeping clients well supported, solving problems, and following up on client needs throughout the relationship.

Areas We Serve

Milne Financial Planning provides fee-only financial second opinions to individuals and families across Northern New England, including Vermont and New Hampshire. Clients meet with us at our offices in St. Johnsbury and Winooski, and we also work with households throughout the region.

St. Johnsbury, VT
Winooski, VT
Burlington, VT
Montpelier, VT
Littleton, NH
Lebanon, NH
Hanover, NH
Concord, NH

St. Johnsbury Office: 770 Railroad Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
Winooski Office: 20 West Canal Street, Suite C13, Winooski, VT 05404
802-249-7107

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A Financial Second Opinion?

A financial second opinion is an independent review of your current investments, retirement strategy, and tax approach by an advisor who is not managing your money. The goal is to give you an objective, professional perspective before you make a major decision. You are under no obligation to change advisors or purchase anything.

How Much Does A Second Opinion Cost?

Milne Financial Planning is a fee-only firm, which means our compensation is paid entirely by our clients and we accept no commissions. Fees for a review depend on the scope and depth of what you need. We are glad to explain the specifics and confirm the fee before any work begins so there are no surprises.

Do I Have To Leave My Current Advisor?

No. A second opinion is simply an independent look at your plan. Many people request one to confirm they are on the right track, not to switch advisors. You are free to keep your current arrangement, make adjustments on your own, or explore working with us further. The decision is entirely yours.

What Should I Bring To A Second Opinion Review?

Helpful documents include recent investment and retirement account statements, any current financial plan, and a summary of your goals and timeline. If you are considering a specific decision, such as retiring or a Roth conversion, bring the details related to it. We will let you know exactly what is useful when we schedule your meeting.

What Makes Milne Financial Planning Independent?

The firm was founded in 1996 as a completely independent, fee-only company. Because one hundred percent of our compensation is paid by clients and we take no commissions, our advice is free from product sales quotas. As a fiduciary, we are obligated to act in your best interest.

Which Areas Does Milne Financial Planning Serve?

We serve individuals and families across Northern New England, including Vermont and New Hampshire, with offices in St. Johnsbury and Winooski. We also work with clients in nearby communities including Burlington and Montpelier, Vermont, and Littleton, Lebanon, and Hanover, New Hampshire. You can reach us at 802-249-7107 to arrange a time.