The Trusted Experts in Business and Tax Planning
Perry L. Smith, CLU,ChFC, MS (TAX)
Wealth Advisor
I have made it my life’s work to help people accumulate and retain wealth. As a wealth advisor in Bellevue, Washington, I assist high net worth individuals, professionals, and business owners design and develop asset protection plans, asset and estate planning, and tax strategies.
Perry L. Smith, CLU,ChFC, MS (TAX)
Wealth Advisor
I have made it my life’s work to help people accumulate and retain wealth. As a wealth advisor in Bellevue, Washington, I assist high net worth individuals, professionals, and business owners design and develop asset protection plans, asset and estate planning, and tax strategies.
As a steward of this profession since 1971, in my words, “I believe individuals with substantial wealth face unique challenges. They need the assistance of a financial advisor who can analyze their asset protection plans, asset and estate planning, tax strategies in the present as well as assist in forecasting into the future those issues relevant to their success. In the process, I will build financial models to better understand how these integrate personal and business goals. I accomplish these objectives by taking the time to understand each client’s particular needs. Then I work with you, your attorney and accountant, to custom tailor a wealth plan that employs for your benefit the full capabilities of some of the nation’s most respected and trusted financial institutions. I am committed to creating and providing this fiduciary service.”
Bachelor’s Degree
I attended Gonzaga University and graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance. It is important to note that I stay up-to-date with developments in the financial services industry through continuing education. My securities licenses Brokers and Principal are held at Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., and I am associated with their registered investment advisor for asset advisory services. I also hold a current real estate broker’s license with Coldwell Banker Bain.
I had the opportunity to co-author a book titled Wealth Preservation For the Affluent, which was released in March ‘06 and often share my expertise by conducting seminars on advanced asset and estate planning. I am licensed and registered to practice in Alaska, California, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming.
I hold the following advanced degrees and professional designations:
My Professional Preparation
My understanding of the importance of real property and its value in qualified plans, as well as business and tax plans for my clients, are evidenced by my professional preparation as:
*See below for additional licenses and professional associations.
Career Highlights
The highlight of my career is being a multiple recipient of the FIVE STAR Award as a wealth manager in King County. Year 2023 is my tenth year for this honor. This national recognition but locally sponsored award places me in a league of top investment advisor representatives limited to less than 7% of wealth managers in our area.
This recognition can be found in the 2023 April issue of Seattle Magazine where I am recognized for this prestigious FIVE STAR Award! The reverse page of this profile contains the basis for my selection, which relies on a range of sources including financial firms, peers, and valued clients. The confidence and praise of my service to my clients are the major factors in receiving this award.
Five Star award
I am extremely humbled and yet proud for being selected for this FIVE STAR Award!
However, life is more than this Five Star award. My wife, Barbara, and I live in Redmond, Washington. We feel blessed in our relationship, family, and friends, and mutually enjoy many activities: hiking, boating, scuba diving, and sports.
What makes this business so enjoyable at this point in my life? As a result of the type of work I do for my clients and the relationships built in the process, I am very grateful to those who value my business friendship and consequently refer me to others—relatives, business associates, neighbors, friends—to those who would benefit from my investment advisor relationship.
My motto: I take the time to understand you. With 30+ years of knowledge and experience, I match client values with wealth strategies and establish fiduciary relationships.
*I have the following licenses:
Barbara L. Crnkovich Smith, RFC®
Wealth Advisor
Always remember that the end goal of comprehensive wealth and tax planning goes well beyond choosing investments. I help clients design a life. As a Wealth Advisor in Bellevue, Washington with over twenty-five years of experience in wealth management, I assist high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners design and develop wealth management solutions, including:
- wealth and tax planning
- investment and asset management
- asset protection planning
- asset and estate planning
- tax strategies
Barbara L. Crnkovich Smith, RFC®
Wealth Advisor
Always remember that the end goal of comprehensive wealth and tax planning goes well beyond choosing investments. I help clients design a life. As a Wealth Advisor in Bellevue, Washington with over twenty-five years of experience in wealth management, I assist high-net-worth individuals, families, and business owners design and develop wealth management solutions, including:
- wealth and tax planning
- investment and asset management
- asset protection planning
- asset and estate planning
- tax strategies
As a steward of this profession since 1991, in my words, “I believe a great financial advisor provides these three most important things, in order, discipline, discipline, and discipline; the ability to maintain a strategy no matter what noise the various news outlets are blathering about. In addition, a great financial advisor listens to the client. I want to know what keeps you and your family up at night and how can I solve for that; my client’s do the talking and I listen. Lastly, a great financial advisor offers a level of accountability. This is by encouraging my clients to save and invest or by managing my client’s expectations. Again, I help clients design a life not just invest money. Through the discipline, listening, and accountability I build financial models to help you design that life. I work with you, your attorney, and accountant to custom tailor a Wealth Plan that employs for your benefit the full capabilities of some of the nation’s most respected and trusted financial institutions. I am committed to creating and providing this fiduciary service.
Bachelor’s Degree
I graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Marketing. It is important to note that I stay up to date with developments in the financial services industry through continuing education. My securities licenses are held at Cambridge
Investment Research, Inc.
I am licensed and registered to practice in Alaska, California, Florida, Idaho, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Wyoming.
My husband, Perry, our Cavapoo pup, Cooper and I live in Redmond, Washington. We feel blessed in our relationship, family, and friends, and enjoy many activities: boating, hiking, biking, and scuba diving.
What makes this business so enjoyable for me is when I see my client’s living their best life and I help them design that life. As a result of the type of work I do for my clients and the relationships built in the process, I am incredibly grateful to those who value my business, friendship and consequently refer me to others—relatives, business associates, neighbors, friends—to those who would benefit from my investment advisor relationship.
*I hold the following advanced degrees and licenses:
Alexa Steffens
Wealth Advisor
I recently graduated Cum Laude from the University of Louisville in May 2023 with a B.B.A. Double Major in Finance and Marketing and a minor in Management while playing division one lacrosse. After interning for Perry L Smith Consulting LLC in the summer of 2022, I have had the privilege of joining the firm full time as a Wealth Advisor in June 2023.
I have recently completed my Securities Industry Essentials Exam and plan to complete my Series 7, Series 66, Life Insurance License, ChFC (Charter Financial Consultant) and real estate license. Once completed onto my CFP (Certified Financial Planner).
Alexa Steffens
Wealth Advisor
I recently graduated Cum Laude from the University of Louisville in May 2023 with a B.B.A. Double Major in Finance and Marketing and a minor in Management while playing division one lacrosse. After interning for Perry L Smith Consulting LLC in the summer of 2022, I have had the privilege of joining the firm full time as a Wealth Advisor in June 2023.
I have recently completed my Securities Industry Essentials Exam and plan to complete my Series 7, Series 66, Life Insurance License, ChFC (Charter Financial Consultant) and real estate license. Once completed onto my CFP (Certified Financial Planner).
I have always been a big fitness advocate which is why I fell in love with and became so passionate about wealth management. Human fitness is remarkably similar to financial fitness because both require discipline, consistency, and most importantly, patience and time. It is truly a marathon, not a sprint and both require long-term dedication to be successful. Additionally, each requires a broad and varied set of activities that align toward a common goal. With sports, it requires time in the gym, the right nutrition plan, studying film, repetitions on the field, and running...a lot of running. Being financially fit requires a similar commitment to a variety of areas including investing, estate planning, retirement planning, real estate planning, and much more, all aligned toward being financially secure.
Helping our clients achieve financial stability and freedom is my biggest goal and something I will commit the rest of my life’s efforts, time, and passion towards. Your wealth planning will be forever changing and helping you set your goals, establish strategies to work towards and achieve those financial goals are what excites and drives me to be not only the best Wealth Advisor I can be, but the best person I can be. We will celebrate the wins, work through any setbacks, and continuously strive toward building your dream life step by step. I will provide excellent client service throughout our relationship by being proactive, transparent, trustworthy, and most of all listen. To me, there is no luck in life, things work out when opportunities and preparedness come together.