What services do you offer?

I provide comprehensive financial planning with a focus on tax strategy, retirement planning, and investment management. That includes tax planning throughout the year, not just filing; investment strategy and portfolio design; retirement planning and income strategy; business owner and 1099 planning; and insurance and estate planning coordination. Most importantly, everything is connected. Decisions in one area should not create problems in another.

How do I get started?

It starts with a short introductory call. We will talk through your situation, what you are trying to solve, and whether I am a good fit. If it makes sense to move forward, I will outline exactly what working together would look like before you commit to anything.

What makes you different?

I focus on planning first. Before starting this firm, I spent years in leadership roles making difficult decisions with real consequences. That experience shapes how I work with clients today. Helping people make good decisions under pressure is where I do my best work. There are no commissions, no product sales, and no incentives tied to what you invest in. Most of the value comes from helping you make better decisions around taxes, structure, and long term strategy. Simple plans that are actually followed tend to work better than complex ones that are not.

How do you charge for your services?

I offer a few different options depending on what you need: hourly financial planning for one time or ongoing work; flat fee planning with an ongoing monthly structure; and investment management for clients who want it as part of a broader plan. Everything is transparent and discussed upfront. You will know exactly what you are paying and what you are getting.

Do you manage investments?

Yes, but only as part of a broader plan. Investment management is important, but it is only one piece of the overall strategy. Taxes, cash flow, and long term planning decisions often have a bigger impact.

What is it like to work with you?

My goal is to simplify decisions and give you clarity. We will focus on what actually matters, what to do next, and what can be ignored. Most clients feel less overwhelmed and more confident after a few meetings.

Do I need a certain amount of assets to work with you?

No. Many of my clients come to me before they have built significant assets because they want to make better decisions early. Others already have investments and want to optimize what they are doing. Fit matters more than asset level.

How often do we meet?

It depends on what you need. Most client meet quarterly but at a minimum twice a year. There is flexibility based on your situation.

How can I contact you?

You can schedule a call directly through my calendar, email, or call me. My email is jhargrave@pillarfinancialplanning.net. My phone number of 401-206-4586. If you are not sure where to start, the intro call is the best first step.

Pillar Financial Planning

Helping business owners & physicians reduce taxes, build meaningful wealth, and reach financial independence faster.

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What Sets Us Apart:

Leading with Planning

Person analyzing charts and graphs on a laptop screen at a desk with a smartphone and glasses.

Planning is an action. It is understanding where you are in life and what you want to accomplish. Then it is figuring out your defensive strategies, offensive pushes, and executing at a high level.

Team of Independent Experts

Group of four colleagues collaborating at a table with laptops and notebooks, smiling and engaged in conversation, with a colorful painting in the background.

Work with a team of independent founders that coordinate virtually on your behalf to execute on agreed steps.

Ongoing Proactive Planning

A laptop displaying a video conference with multiple participants visible on the screen. Next to the laptop is a green ceramic mug on a wooden table.

Meet quarterly with preset agendas to review savings rate, tax efficiency, investments, retirement withdrawals, employer benefits, and all of life in between.

Founder of Pillar Financial Planning James Hargrave

Navigating Life With You

Founded by James Hargrave, MBA, CFP®, CLU®, Pillar Financial Planning is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning firm serving business owners and physicians in the Kansas City area and virtually nationwide. Clients can engage through hourly planning, ongoing financial planning, or investment management.

Pillar Financial Planning is focused on bringing you real results. By partnering with independent CPAs, Estate Planning Attorney’s, health insurance, Life & Disability insurance, and other experts. You get multiple perspective with no revenue splits, no games.

Frequently Asked Questions

I provide comprehensive financial planning with a focus on tax strategy, retirement planning, and investment management.
That includes:
- Tax planning throughout the year, not just filing
- Investment strategy and portfolio design
- Retirement planning and income strategy
- Business owner and 1099 planning
- Insurance and estate planning coordination
Most importantly, everything is connected. Decisions in one area should not create problems in another.
It starts with a short introductory call.
We will talk through your situation, what you are trying to solve, and whether I am a good fit.
If it makes sense to move forward, I will outline exactly what working together would look like before you commit to anything.
I focus on planning first.
Before starting this firm, I spent years in leadership roles making difficult decisions with real consequences. That experience shapes how I work with clients today.
Helping people make good decisions under pressure is where I do my best work.
There are no commissions, no product sales, and no incentives tied to what you invest in.
Most of the value comes from helping you make better decisions around taxes, structure, and long term strategy.
Simple plans that are actually followed tend to work better than complex ones that are not.
I offer a few different options depending on what you need:
- Hourly financial planning for one time or ongoing work
- Flat fee planning with an ongoing monthly structure
- Investment management for clients who want it as part of a broader plan
Everything is transparent and discussed upfront. You will know exactly what you are paying and what you are getting.
Yes, but only as part of a broader plan.
Investment management is important, but it is only one piece of the overall strategy. Taxes, cash flow, and long term planning decisions often have a bigger impact.
My goal is to simplify decisions and give you clarity.
We will focus on:
- What actually matters
- What to do next
- What can be ignored
Most clients feel less overwhelmed and more confident after a few meetings.
No.
Many of my clients come to me before they have built significant assets because they want to make better decisions early.
Others already have investments and want to optimize what they are doing.
Fit matters more than asset level.
It depends on what you need.
Most client meet quarterly but at a minimum twice a year.
There is flexibility based on your situation.
You can schedule a call directly through my calendar, email, or call me.
My email is jhargrave@pillarfinancialplanning.net.
My phone number of 401-206-4586
If you are not sure where to start, the intro call is the best first step.

Still have questions? Schedule a call and we can talk through your situation.

SCHEDULE A MEETING