At Sutton Singer, we understand that beginning a relationship with a wealth management firm is an important step.
Every client has unique goals, circumstances, and priorities, and our onboarding process is designed to be transparent, thorough, and straightforward. From your first inquiry to the implementation of your personalized investment strategy, here’s what you can expect as a new client.
Initial Consultation
Your journey begins with an initial consultation, which can take place in our Tokyo office, virtually, or by phone. During this discussion, we focus on understanding your financial objectives, investment experience, and risk tolerance. For expatriate clients, we pay particular attention to cross-border considerations such as multi-currency accounts, international tax implications, and jurisdictional requirements. This consultation is also an opportunity for you to learn about our advisory approach, ask questions, and decide whether our services are the right fit for your needs. Establishing trust and open communication from the outset is central to our process.
Comprehensive Financial Review
Once you choose to proceed, we carry out a detailed review of your financial situation. This includes assessing assets, liabilities, income, investment holdings, retirement accounts, and other relevant financial instruments. For expatriates, we examine international pensions, residency-based taxation, and currency exposure to create a complete and accurate picture of your financial landscape. The goal is to ensure our advice is fully informed, practical, and tailored to your individual circumstances.
Goal Setting and Strategy Development
With a clear understanding of your situation, we collaborate with you to define both short- and long-term goals. These could include retirement planning, wealth preservation, growth-focused investing, or planning for future family needs. We then develop a personalized investment strategy that aligns with your objectives, risk tolerance, and time horizon. For expatriate clients, this often involves careful consideration of currency diversification, cross-border tax efficiency, and the flexibility to adjust investments as life or career circumstances change internationally. Our open-architecture approach ensures access to a broad range of global investments while maintaining the adaptability needed by clients living and working abroad.
Review and Approval
Before implementation, we review the proposed strategy with you in detail. This includes explaining the rationale behind each recommendation, expected outcomes, and potential risks. Expatriate clients often benefit from additional guidance around cross-border considerations, ensuring every aspect of the plan is fully understood. Implementation only proceeds once you have approved the strategy, reflecting our commitment to transparency, control, and client confidence.
Implementation
Once the plan is approved, our team manages the practical steps. This may include transferring assets, establishing accounts, and coordinating with tax or legal advisors to ensure compliance across jurisdictions. For expatriates, we provide extra support in navigating international regulations, currency considerations, and local reporting requirements. Our goal is to make the transition into Sutton Singer as seamless and efficient as possible.
Ongoing Communication and Review
Becoming a client is just the start of a long-term partnership. We maintain regular communication through portfolio updates, performance reviews, and strategic discussions. Reviews take into account portfolio performance, changes in personal circumstances, and international developments that could impact your financial strategy. Ongoing communication ensures you see the effect of different scenarios clearly, giving you confidence and reassurance about your financial future.
At Sutton Singer, our onboarding process is designed to combine clarity, confidence, and convenience. Whether you are based in Japan or living abroad, we aim to provide a seamless and personalized experience from the very beginning. By emphasizing independent advice, global expertise, and attentive service, we ensure every client starts their journey with a strong foundation and a trusted partner in wealth management.