Everything you might want to know about working with me — how I'm paid, what a portfolio review includes, and how we'd work together. If your question isn't here, just ask.
I'm Joanne David, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®) based in Edmonton, with more than 25 years of experience. I offer fee-only financial planning and tax advice to health and medical professionals, business owners, professional women, and engineers across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Read more about me here.
Below are the questions people ask me most often. I've kept the answers honest and plain-spoken, because that's how I work. Nothing here is personalized advice — it's general information to help you decide whether we're a good fit.
Working With Me
The best place to start is my About page, where I share my background, my approach, and who I love working with. It'll give you a real sense of whether we're a good fit before you ever pick up the phone.
I work with health and medical professionals, business owners, professional women, and Alberta engineers and construction professionals — often within about five years of retirement — who have already built income and savings and now want a clear, trustworthy plan for what comes next. If you've done the hard work of earning and saving and want to make sure it's set up well with tax-efficient withdrawal strategies, that's exactly who I help.
I'm based in Edmonton, Alberta. I'm licensed for mutual funds in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and I work with tax clients across Canada and beyond. Much of what I do works well by phone, video, and secure document sharing, so distance within my licensed provinces is rarely an obstacle.
Not for an initial conversation — just bring yourself and your questions. If we move ahead with a specific service like a portfolio review, I'll tell you exactly what to send and how to send it securely. When you're ready, get in touch here.
How I'm Paid
A fee-only arrangement means you pay directly for advice, and I don't earn a commission on any product to give it. My financial planning and tax preparation and planning work is fee-only — you pay for the work, with no requirement to buy anything. For clients who also want their investments managed, fee-based investment services are available through Keybase Financial Group, where annual fees are paid to the dealer, with clear, transparent fees. Either way, my advice is independent — shaped by your goals, not a product shelf.
Fee-only means compensation comes exclusively from fees you pay — no commissions. Fee-based means fees plus, in some cases, commissions on certain insurance products. My financial planning and tax preparation and planning work is fee-only. My investment services, when you choose them, are fee-based through Keybase Financial Group, where annual fees are paid to the dealer. I'm upfront about which is which so you always know how I'm compensated.
Fees for one-time services like a financial plan or portfolio review may be reduced or reversed for existing or ongoing financial planning and investment clients. All fees are quoted in advance after an initial discussion, so there are never surprises.
Services
For $750, I review your existing RRSP, TFSA, and open holdings and deliver a written report covering your current allocation, the fees you're paying, how diversified your portfolio is, and changes you may want to consider. It's delivered within two weeks of receiving your statements. And if you're not satisfied with the written report for any reason within 30 days, you can request a refund. Request a portfolio review →
Yes. A comprehensive plan covers retirement projections, tax strategy, estate planning, an insurance review, and investment alignment, with detailed calculations and scenario modelling. Plans are quoted in advance after an initial discussion so you know the scope and cost before we begin. You can explore all of my fee-only tax and financial services.
Yes — I've written a library of free guides and checklists on retirement, tax, investing, estate planning, and more, written specifically for professionals and business owners in Western Canada. Browse the free guides →
I'm a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI®), with more than 25 years of experience helping people make important financial decisions. You can read more about my background and approach here, and you're always welcome to verify my credentials independently.
Because I work independently, my planning and tax advice isn't driven by commissions — there's no incentive to steer you toward one product over another. My focus is on what actually fits your situation.
I do, and it's one of the most rewarding parts of my week. During tax season, every Tuesday I run low-income tax filing clinics at seniors' residences across Edmonton, helping older adults file their returns and access the credits they're entitled to. Giving back to my community matters deeply to me.
Yes. Your personal and financial information is kept confidential and is never sold or shared for marketing. When you send statements or documents, I'll provide a secure way to do so. You can read my full privacy policy here.
Yes. Just ask for a link to upload your documents, or request to be verified for access, and you can send everything through my secure client portal.
A Little Personal
You'll usually find me out on an Alberta trail with my dog, Buddy — he's convinced every walk is the best one we've ever taken, and honestly, he has a point. I believe your health is your greatest wealth, and time outdoors keeps me grounded for the work I do. I love that this profession lets me help people build a life they actually enjoy, not just a bigger number on a statement.
Still have a question?
If your question isn't answered here, I'd be glad to help. There's no obligation and no jargon — just a straight answer.
Are you ready to find out if your money is working hard for you?
We offer various fee-only services including a portfolio review. For $750, I’ll review your existing RRSP, TFSA, and open holdings and deliver a written report on your allocation, the fees you’re paying, how diversified you are, and changes you may want to consider — within two weeks of receiving your statements. Not satisfied within 30 days? Request a refund.
