FAQs

High Touch Financial Planning, led by Cliff Brockmann, CFP®, EA, offers comprehensive financial planning with a strong emphasis on proactive tax-efficient wealth strategies. While Cliff does not file taxes, his combined CFP® and EA expertise allows him to integrate long-term financial goals—retirement planning, education funding, and legacy strategies—with both current and future tax considerations. This approach helps clients reduce long-term tax drag and build wealth more efficiently.

Cliff specializes in serving widows and widowers who are need help by a trusted individual not selling high commissioned products, high-net-worth clients overcharged by traditional 1% AUM models, and young professionals who often feel overlooked by larger firms. His flat-fee structure and high-touch approach create a more accessible, transparent experience for clients across life stages.

Most firms focus heavily on investment management, but Cliff focuses on true financial planning—not just product sales. After nearly a decade at major institutions, he saw firsthand how asset-focused business models pushed advisors toward “pace over perfection.” High Touch Financial Planning was built to be the opposite: fewer clients, deeper relationships, and strategies tailored to individual goals—not sales metrics.

Cliff believes simplicity is the smartest long-term strategy. Overly complex investment strategies often generate unnecessary taxes and higher fees, ultimately reducing wealth. A clear, disciplined approach—anchored in evidence-based investing—helps clients stay aligned with their goals while minimizing costs.

Our Philosophy

Cliff uses a flat-fee model, not an asset-based percentage. This means your costs remain predictable and transparent, and more of your assets stay invested for your future. A flat fee eliminates many of the conflicts of interest common in percentage-based models and more closely aligns the advisor’s incentives with your goals.

Our Pricing

Yes. Cliff acts as a full fiduciary, meaning he is legally and ethically required to put your interests first. His flat-fee structure further reinforces this commitment by removing product-based incentives or pressure to gather assets.

Yes. Cliff offers both virtual appointments and in-person meetings at his office: 2001 Route 46, Suite 310, Parsippany, NJ 07054. 

Clients across the country appreciate the convenience of a modern, flexible planning experience.

This is a common concern, especially for retirees or those nearing retirement. The challenge is that inflation erodes purchasing power over time, making “no-risk” strategies far riskier than they appear. For example, with average inflation around 3%, someone needing $75,000 per year today would need roughly $150,000 per year in 24 years. A balanced portfolio—combining safety and long-term growth—is essential to help your money last throughout retirement.

Large firms typically require advisors to manage hundreds of clients, often relying on junior staff and standard templates. This leads to limited personal attention and planning depth. Cliff’s firm is intentionally small, allowing him to maintain meaningful, long-term relationships and deliver truly customized financial planning, not one-size-fits-all asset management.

Client accounts are held at Altruist, a secure, modern custodian used by more than 4,900 financial advisors nationwide. Altruist minimizes hidden fees, which allows savings to flow directly to clients. Cliff is also part of Core Planning, a network of 50+ independent advisors who share a commitment to simplicity, transparency, and fiduciary care.

An Enrolled Agent is a tax professional credentialed by the IRS. While Cliff does not represent clients before the IRS, his EA designation provides deep tax-planning knowledge. This helps ensure your financial plan accounts for the “tax side” of every major decision—something many advisors overlook.

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ is widely considered the gold standard in financial planning. Unlike advisors focused primarily on product sales, a CFP® professional has rigorous training across all areas of personal finance, including retirement planning, tax strategies, investments, insurance, and estate considerations. Working with a CFP® ensures you receive holistic, ethical, and well-rounded advice.

Smaller firms provide stability, consistency, and personal attention. At large institutions, staff turnover, shifting corporate priorities, and sales-driven initiatives can disrupt your planning experience. With Cliff, you work directly with the professional who knows your goals, your story, and your long-term strategy—creating a more trustworthy and collaborative partnership.