Financial Synergies is a fee-only Financial Advisor located in Houston, Texas. For more than thirty years we've been serving the financial needs of individuals, families, and businesses from around the world. When we take on new clients they become part of our extended family, and in the past three decades we've developed multi-generational relationships with many of them.
Our primary goal is to simplify your financial life. Our Certified Financial PlannerTM professionals and advisors combine investment management and holistic planning to provide total wealth management for our clients. Together, we'll construct a financial game plan and investment strategy to meet your goals, and give you greater confidence in your future.
Financial Synergies is a fee-only Financial Advisor located in
Houston, Texas. We provide comprehensive financial planning
and investment management services. For more than thirty years
we've been serving the financial needs of individuals,
families, and businesses from around the world. When we take
on new clients they become part of our extended family, and in
the past three decades we've developed multi-generational
relationships with many of them.
We are formally structured as an independent Registered
Investment Advisor, and we adhere to the highest fiduciary
standard. Our clients' interests are our top priority. We work
on a fee-only basis and do not sell commission-based products.
This enables us to be objective and free from conflicts of
interest when making recommendations to clients.
Our Advantage
Fee-only: We are paid only by our clients. Most firms in our
industry operate on a commission-based or fee-based approach.
Commission-based firms get paid on the financial products they
sell, and fee-based firms combine commissions and fees. There
are huge conflicts of interest when advisors get paid by the
product company providers. We simply do not engage in this.
Fiduciary: We took a Fiduciary oath to act in the best
interests of our clients at all times.
Holistic: We look at your whole picture. We don't just manage
money. We provide comprehensive financial planning and
investment management to create a total wealth management
experience for our clients.
Boutique: We are a highly specialized financial advisory firm
offering customized services, and our clients experience a
high-touch relationship.
Mike Booker, Shareholder
CFP®, ChFC®, CFS®
Mike started Financial Synergies more than thirty years
ago with the goal of providing unbiased, objective
financial advice and investment management. He knew that
if he adhered to these principles, hired and trained the
right people well, his firm would thrive.
Mike has enjoyed meeting with existing and prospective
clients over the years, helping build Financial Synergies
into the firm it is today. He counsels clients on many
complex areas of financial planning and investing,
helping them to achieve their long-term goals and
simplify their lives.
Mike has earned three top-shelf credentials: CERTIFIED
FINANCIAL PLANNER", Chartered Financial Consultant® and
Certified Fund Specialist®. He has authored chapters in
highly-respected financial books and has won an array of
awards for his work in financial services.
Mike and his beloved wife Pat are dedicated
philanthropists. After Mike's struggle with melanoma, the
couple started the Mike and Pat Booker Melanoma
Endowment, which is now worth more than $1 million, and
they recently started a foundation that donates a sum
each year to deserving charities.
Mike is a competitive amateur golfer and a board member
of the Texas Golf Association.
Bryan Zschiesche, Shareholder
CFP®, MS, MBA
In 2003, just before he joined Financial Synergies as a
financial advisor, Bryan Zschiesche was pursuing an
entirely different profession: Estate Law. However, when
his former classmate, Heath Hightower, asked him if he
was interested in joining a financial advisory firm
instead, Bryan made the leap. The following weeks were a
whirlwind.
Bryan withdrew from law school, got married, moved to
Houston, and started his career at Financial Synergies,
all within a span of 30 days. Now he is a shareholder at
Financial Synergies and has been working with clients to
secure their financial futures for over 12 years.
Bryan is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER? and a Qualified
Kingdom Advisor®. He uses his expertise to develop
investment strategies to protect and grow clients'
retirement savings. Bryan is a proponent of Elegant
Simplicity, the idea that we can work through complex
issues surrounding a financial problem and arrive at a
sophisticated but simple solution.
A Katy resident, Bryan is an active member of St. Peter's
United Methodist Church, Katy Chamber of Commerce, and
the Houston chapter of the Financial Planning
Association. Bryan graduated summa cum laude from Texas
Tech University with a degree in Finance and holds two
graduate degrees from Texas Tech a Master of Business
Administration and a Master of Science in Financial
Planning. When he is not helping clients, you can find
the Eagle Scout hiking in Colorado with his wife, Cele,
and two sons, Hudson and Carson.
Heath Hightower, Shareholder
CFP®
Growing up in a farming family, Heath was fascinated by
the unwavering discipline his father showed with the
family's modest finances. Even though Heath went to Texas
Tech University on an agriculture scholarship, he changed
direction when he discovered his true calling: becoming a
financial planner and helping people understand money in
a better way.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in personal
financial planning, Heath joined Financial Synergies in
2003 as a Financial Advisor. Today, he helps clients with
all aspects of their financial lives, such as retirement
planning, education planning, charitable giving, and
investing.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER? professional, Heath
believes in giving solid, unbiased advice, and building
relationships with clients that make a tangible, positive
difference in their lives. In 2013, Heath became a
shareholder at Financial Synergies.
Heath loves spending time with his wife, Morgan, Miss
Texas 2005, his daughter, Dawson and his son, Warren. He
enjoys country music, fantasy football, and bird hunting.
Heath sits on the board of directors for the Tallowood
Baptist Foundation & Endowment and is an Eagle Scout.
Mike Minter, Shareholder
CFP®, CFS®
When Mike was a teen his parents opened up a mutual fund
account for him, and he was instantly fascinated by the
world of investing. Now, with more than 15 years of
experience in the industry, he continues to bring that
same enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge each and every
day at Financial Synergies.
Today Mike develops investment portfolio allocations,
handles trading and rebalancing, and conducts research
and analysis as a Portfolio Manager and Financial Advisor
for the firm. As a perpetual student of investing and the
markets, Mike considers himself obsessed with the
subject. He enjoys working with our clients because it
requires a deep level of trust, which is something he
believes makes the wealth management business unique.
Mike has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER"
(CFP®) and Certified Fund Specialist® designations. He is
also an active member of the Houston chapter of the
Financial Planning Association (FPA). He earned a
Bachelor of Science degree from Texas State University in
2000.
Mike became a shareholder of Financial Synergies in 2013.
Mike lives in Sugar Land with his wife, Maggie, and their
two children, Maddox and Maizy. He enjoys playing golf,
and is an admitted sci-fi and history buff.
Will Goodson
CFP®
Will has been with Financial Synergies since 2015, and
has worked in the industry for nearly five years. Will is
the lead advisor for the Financial Synergies Pathway
program, which is designed for clients in the early
stages of building wealth. He also supports the advisory
team by creating 401(k) allocations, designing financial
plans, and determining the best strategies for clients
when taking Social Security.
For Will, one of the most exciting parts of working with
clients is understanding their goals and helping them
achieve success. Will is a University of Texas graduate
and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional.
In his spare time, Will enjoys spending time outside with
his wife Amy, riding bikes, playing tennis and taking
walks with their puppy, Arlo, around his Sugar Land
neighborhood. He is a board member of the Houston chapter
of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and he is an
Eagle Scout.
General Information |
| Firm Start Year: | 1986 | |
| No.of Employees: | 10-19 | |
| Name of Custodial Firm: | Charles Schwab / Fidelity |
| States Licensed in: | TX |
| Number of Years with Current Firm: | 34 |
| Work with the following types of clients: | Non-Profit Organizations, Individual Investors, Businesses |
| Advisory Services Provided: | Wealth Management, 401K Rollovers, Retirement Planning, Money Management, Risk Management, Education Funding and Planning, Financial Advice & Consulting, Financial Planning for Individuals, Financial Planning for Businesses, Investment Advice & Management, Tax Advice and Services, Estate Planning & Trusts, Financial Planning, Portfolio Management |
Services |
| Investment Types: | REITS, Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Bonds, Stocks, Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) |
| Can meet clients in the following ways: | Our Office, Your Home, Your Office, Via Email, Video Conference, Our Offices, Via Phone |
Qualifications & Memberships |
| Financial Organization Memberships: | Financial Planning Association (FPA) |
Firm Information |
| Firm's Number of Managed Clients: | 675 |
| Assets Managed by Firm: | $1,135,000,000 |
| Assets Managed by Advisor: | $1000000000 |
Compensation and Fees |
| Fee Structure: | Fee Only |
| Minimum Portfolio Size for New Managed Accounts: | $500,000 |
| Compensation Methods: | Based on Assets |
Financial Services |
Financial Advice & ConsultingWe provide ongoing financial advice and consulting on many different topics. This can include anything from buying your first home, to extensive retirement planning. You can meet with us in-person, by phone, or online, as much as you need. Its all part of our overall services. All of our advisors are Certified Financial Planner professionals. |
Financial Planning for IndividualsWe provide comprehensive financial planning services for individuals and families. We can help you plan for short-term goals, like buying a new home, and long- term goals, like retirement. We take a holistic approach to planning by incorporating all aspects of your financial life. Well get to know you and what your goals are. Then, together, well create a dynamic financial plan that evolves with your ever- changing life. All of our advisors are Certified Financial Planner" professionals. Well keep you on track every step of the way! |
Financial Planning for BusinessesWe provide comprehensive financial planning services for businesses. We can help you tackle all your business planning needs, such as business investment management, company retirement plans, cash accounts, and insurance. |
Portfolio ManagementWe build global portfolios that include stocks, bonds, and where appropriate, real estate and commodities. By diversifying across many different asset classes well help you balance the relationship between risk and return to ensure your long-term wealth goals will be achieved. We are strategic, long-term investors, and do not engage in market timing or forecasting. Weve extensively researched each asset class used in our portfolios, so we understand what to expect and the purpose each serves in a diversified investment allocation. As a client of Financial Synergies, well create a custom investment portfolio to suit your unique goals. Once your investment plan is implemented well monitor the portfolio on a daily basis to make sure your assets are performing according to your long-term plan. Well rebalance, make adjustments, and provide tax-loss harvesting as necessary, so you never have to worry about your investments. Whats more, we help you understand the evidence behind it all, helping you feel even more confident in the decisions we make together to best safeguard your financial future. |
Retirement PlanningWe provide comprehensive retirement planning services for individuals and families. We take a holistic approach to planning by incorporating all aspects of your financial life. Well get to know you and what your goals are. Then, together, well create a dynamic retirement plan that evolves with your ever-changing life. The plan will include a Monte Carlo (retirement success probability) analysis. All of our advisors are Certified Financial Planner professionals. |
401K RolloversWe have extensive experience with 401K Plan Rollovers. We can advise you on the logistics of the rollover, your rollover options, asset allocation, and ongoing management of the new Rollover IRA. All of our advisors are Certified Financial Planner" professionals. |
Insurance PlanningWe can help you plan for all your insurance needs, including life, disability, and business insurance. This will all be addressed as we develop your financial plan and determine what your specific insurance needs are. |
AnnuitiesWe do not sell annuities, but we can help in determining if an annuity is appropriate for your situation. We can also provide annuity rescue services by assisting you in exiting a poor annuity product. Many times investors are placed in annuities without fully understanding the ramifications of the insurance contract of the annuity provider. In many cases we can help you strategically divest of the annuity without adverse consequences. |
Estate Planning & TrustsWe can help you with many estate planning strategies, such as creating/updating wills, establishing trusts, charitable giving, etc. Well also coordinate with attorneys (when necessary) on advanced estate plans. |
Tax Advice and ServicesWell create tax efficient investment portfolios to mitigate taxable gains, as well as, provide ongoing tax-loss harvesting to offset gains in the portfolio. Well also coordinate with your CPA to ensure we are kept abreast of your entire tax situation. |
Education Funding & PlanningWe have extensive experience in education planning, including the establishment of education savings vehicles, such as 529 college savings plans. All of our advisors are Certified Financial Planner" professionals. |
Investment Management & AdviceOur investment management philosophy is heavily influenced by the Nobel Prize-winning work of Harry Markowitz and Eugene Fama. Weve developed a deep understanding of how to best capture the returns of the financial markets. Our approach is based on established facts and real evidence, not empty opinions or speculation. Investment recommendations based on historical, observable market behaviors and prices take emotion out of the equation, and ultimately leads to steadier, more predictable results over the long-term. We build global portfolios that include stocks, bonds, and where appropriate, real estate and commodities. By diversifying across many different asset classes well help you balance the relationship between risk and return to ensure your long-term wealth goals will be achieved. We are strategic, long-term investors, and do not engage in market timing or forecasting. Weve extensively researched each asset class used in our portfolios, so we understand what to expect and the purpose each serves in a diversified investment allocation. As a client of Financial Synergies, well create a custom investment portfolio to suit your unique goals. Once your investment plan is implemented well monitor the portfolio on a daily basis to make sure your assets are performing according to your long-term plan. Well rebalance, make adjustments, and provide tax-loss harvesting as necessary, so you never have to worry about your investments. |
Wealth ManagementWe understand that financial management extends far beyond just handling your assets, and were with you every step of the way. You deserve a financial advisor who understands your entire picture to ensure youll receive prudent, well- rounded advice. This is why we take a holistic approach, and combine financial planning and investment management to provide total wealth management for our clients. Our Certified Financial Planner" professionals will develop a customized plan to guide you through the maze of todays financial landscape, and you will not be left alone to put the plan into action. Your dedicated financial advisor will always be there to keep you on track. Of course, no financial plan is complete without the means to grow and manage your assets sufficiently to meet your goals. Our investment team will construct and manage your investment portfolio to ensure your assets provide the future you desire. As a wealth management firm, we also have affiliations with various firms that can assist with tax planning, estate planning, insurance needs, and more. This enables us to help you with complex financial needs. |
Risk managementProfessional investment management is not just about maximizing return, its also about reducing risk. We manage risk by creating globally diversified portfolios of non- correlated assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. We will use bonds to dial down the risk as much as required to meet our clients risk-return objectives. We have clients that are very aggressive and willing to accept more volatility in exchange for higher returns. But we also have clients who want a much steadier ride, and do not require high returns to meet their goals. Well help you determine what is most appropriate for your situation. |
Money ManagementOur investment management philosophy is heavily influenced by the Nobel Prize-winning work of Harry Markowitz and Eugene Fama. We've developed a deep understanding of how to best capture the returns of the financial markets. Our approach is based on established facts and real evidence, not empty opinions or speculation. Investment recommendations based on historical, observable market behaviors and prices take emotion out of the equation, and ultimately leads to steadier, more predictable results over the long-term. We build global portfolios that include stocks, bonds, and where appropriate, real estate and commodities. By diversifying across many different asset classes well help you balance the relationship between risk and return to ensure your long-term wealth goals will be achieved. We are strategic, long-term investors, and do not engage in market timing or forecasting. Weve extensively researched each asset class used in our portfolios, so we understand what to expect and the purpose each serves in a diversified investment allocation. As a client of Financial Synergies, well create a custom investment portfolio to suit your unique goals. Once your investment plan is implemented well monitor the portfolio on a daily basis to make sure your assets are performing according to your long-term plan. Well rebalance, make adjustments, and provide tax-loss harvesting as necessary, so you never have to worry about your investments. |
Faqs |
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Why should I choose you as my financial advisor? All of our advisors are Certified Financial Planner professionals. This designation is considered the gold standard in the financial planning industry. We have over 80 years of combined experience in financial planning and investment management. |
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What are your qualifications? What is your education background? We take a holistic approach to planning by incorporating all aspects of your financial life. Well get to know you and what your goals are. Then, together, well create a dynamic financial plan that evolves with your ever-changing life. Well keep you on track every step of the way! |
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How do you charge for your services? Financial planning, investment management, wealth management, retirement planning, retirement income distribution. |
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How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services? We currently serve approximately 370 clients. |
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If you are going to manage my account, will you obtain my permission every time you buy or sell something? You will have a primary advisor along with their professional team. Your team will include the primary financial advisor, financial planner, portfolio manager, and client service specialist. |
Registered Investment Advisor:
Yes
Investment Advisor Representative:
Yes
Acknowledged fiduciary:
Yes
Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:
Have a clean record
Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:
Have a clean record
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Mon. | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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Tue. | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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Wed. | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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Thu. | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
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Fri. | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
Houston Business Journal's ranking of Top Houston-Area Wealth Management Firms.
Financial Times ranking of the Top 300 Financial Advisers in 2018.
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