SERVICE AND SECURITY: “As a small firm, we can be more nimble, and provide more services to clients. We are a comprehensive independent fiduciary firm, covering a wide range of financial services. A particular area of our focus is on the transfer of wealth to the next generation.” Partners in their new company, Orbis Wealth, Tim Urie, CFP, (left) and Robert Marronaro, CFP, are both certified financial planners.

By Jean Stratton

Peace of mind.

There is nothing like it — especially in times of uncertainty. There has been a lot to make people nervous during the past year and a half. The pandemic, obviously, but also strains in the political system, worries over jobs and income, dealing with school and office closings, necessitating adapting to new virtual means of managing these responsibilities, and the frequent and extreme changes in weather patterns — you name it. There’s a lot out there to boost stress levels!

And certainly, no one wants to contemplate running out of money, and this has been another area of concern for many individuals recently.

A trusted financial planner can be very helpful to people, whatever their financial status, and having such an adviser by your side may alleviate many money worries, and indeed reinforce that peace of mind.

Compass and Circle

Robert Marronaro, CFP, senior wealth advisor and Tim Urie, CFP, wealth advisor are partners in Orbis Wealth. An independent wealth management company, with offices at 116 Village Boulevard in Forrestal Village, and also in Roseland, it opened this past April.

“Orbis” is the Latin word meaning compass and circle, explain the partners. “It represents many aspects of Orbis Wealth — whether it is the circular nature of the financial planning process — or a client’s family sitting at a table where we guide them to ensure that their economic values pass through every generation.”

“Orbis Wealth was launched to create a commitment to excellence,” continues Urie. “Clients join a fee-only, fiduciary organization, whose advisers guide them through a thoughtful financial planning process.

Customized, individualized financial planning is a hallmark of Orbis, adds Marronaro. “What truly matters to you? This is the question we ask clients. We practice ‘behavioral’ finance. It’s not just about investing. It involves people skills. We get to know the clients, their lifestyle, and their personal and professional goals.”

Concern for their clients’ welfare is a reflection of both Urie’s and Marronaro’s early plans to become teachers. “I always enjoyed helping people, and I was considering a teaching career,” says Marronaro. “I was a business major in college, however, and I realized that this is a way to educate and help people too.”

“We both entered college interested in education and teaching,” adds Urie. “But I was also always interested in investment, and I saw how this work can help create security for people.”

Trusted Association

Both partners have spent their careers working with various financial service organizations, and both have always focused on establishing a strong, enduring relationship with clients, resulting in a trusted association.

“We help people whatever their style of life and circumstances. Whether they are younger people starting out or those ready for retirement, there is a place for everyone with us.”

Helping clients with retirement and estate planning, establishing college funds, life insurance plans, determining tax issues, and more are all part of the Orbis purview.

“Our detailed planning process allows us to completely understand each client’s personal and financial situation, objectives, risk balance, and time horizon for establishing their goals,” explains Marronaro.

This careful attention to detail results in a number of client benefits: creation of customized portfolios; help in minimizing tax liabilities; estate planning advice; analysis of existing risk mitigation and insurance strategies; and review of existing debt and liability structures and utilization of better options, if possible.

“General Practitioners”

The two partners point out that they serve as “general practitioners,” providing comprehensive financial expertise, and each offers his own area of special interest. Their core clients are those targeting income planning and those close to retirement.

“My clients are typically in their forties,” says Urie. “They are interested in college funds for their kids, life insurance, and growing their assets. They may also be concerned with care for aging parents.”

He adds, “Younger people may not know how to purchase a house, deal with a mortgage, or organize their financial planning. We can help with all of this, and get them on the right path. We want to help people to take action and make financial planning a priority.”

Marronaro’s clients are older, often nearing retirement or already retired.

“They are typically in their sixties up to 80 and older,” he reports. “They want to be sure they won’t run out of money and can retain their lifestyle. Longevity is a consideration with a number of clients. We do the ‘what ifs?’ What if you get sick, what if you continue to live longer? You need to plan for all of this, and always for the unexpected. You should have an emergency fund. This is basic financial planning 101.”

“Also,” he adds, “We understand that some people are uncomfortable dealing with financial advisers, and it is important to build trust. We encourage people to ask questions so we can help them understand how to protect their assets.”   

Extensive Expertise

Each client has a different set of circumstances and different needs, and this is uppermost in Urie’s and Marronaro’s focus. The client always comes first.

“We recognize that no client’s financial life is one-dimensional. Using our extensive expertise in investing, tax management, risk mitigation, and other areas, we coordinate all the elements of your financial life in order to help you reach your bottom line goals.

“Successful investment management starts with discipline. It is the cornerstone of your financial future. We work to achieve our clients’ goals through the appropriate balance of asset growth and income. Through extensive research, tactical allocation, and focused risk modeling and management, our portfolios help clients stick with their plan and achieve their long-term goals.”

Investments will vary depending on the clients’ wealth and age, points out Urie. “We also make a real effort to educate clients and help them understand that this is not an exact science. But we can make reasonable assumptions with reference to risk tolerance, and work for a positive outcome.

“There will always be something coming up that you didn’t expect. But with diversification and careful planning, and doing the homework, we will help people get through it.”

Adds Marronaro, “Once clients gain more understanding of their situation, they worry less. They know they are on the right track. This is one of the big benefits of having a financial planner.”

As the partners look toward the future of their new company, they are optimistic about what lies ahead. “We look forward to adding an office in New York City, growing our business, and to establishing a partnership with other financial planners across the country. This way, we will be able to give even more time to our clients.

“We enjoy interacting with our clients, who are different ages, with different educational and economic backgrounds. Gaining their trust and friendship, and ultimately helping them achieve that all important peace of mind is our greatest reward.”

For more information and to make an appointment, call (973) 307-3236, or visit the website at orbiswealth.com.