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Getting Started

Services & Scope

Pricing & Compensation

Cross-Border Planning

Investments & Philosophy

Getting Started

For financial planning, you work directly with Narumi Yoshida, your CFP® partner.

For business accounting and tax preparation, Narumi’s highly qualified team members serve clients with the highest level of care under his guidance.

Financial Planning: We exclusively serve clients who are within 10 years before or after retirement, typically between ages 55 and 75. Most are Japanese individuals, families, or international couples where one spouse is American.

Business Accounting: We work with Japanese business owners of all ages — from young entrepreneurs to experienced, established owners — based in New York. We also serve those in nearby states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts.

It depends. Our specialty is retirement-focused planning for clients who are within 10 years of retirement or already retired. Much of our work is designed around retirement income, tax strategies, and cross-border transitions, so for someone in their 40s, our services may not be the best fit at this time.

We are not the right fit for the “FIRE” (Financially Independent, Retire Early) approach or for clients whose retirement is still more than 10 years away. Our services are built for people approaching retirement who want clarity, confidence, and peace of mind as they transition into the next stage of life.

If you are interested in working with us, we’ll guide you through a simple three-step onboarding process:

  1. Learn More Call (20 minutes): A brief conversation to understand your situation and see if we’re the right fit. If it’s not a good match, we’ll let you know right away — we respect and value your time.
  2. Discovery Meeting (45 minutes): A deeper conversation about your goals, challenges, and financial picture.
  3. Observation Meeting (45 minutes): We present a one-page summary of our observations, key considerations, recommendations, fees, and what the first 12 months of working together would look like.

    These three steps are completely free. They’re designed so you know exactly what to expect and can make an informed decision with confidence. If you decide to move forward, we’ll take care of the paperwork and schedule your first Kick-Off Meeting.

We welcome new clients from May through September each year. During October through April, our team is fully focused on serving existing clients with tax preparation and year-end planning.

If you contact us during this time, we’ll gladly add you to our waitlist and connect once enrollment reopens. This schedule allows us to provide the dedicated attention every client deserves.

Most clients move from the Learn More Call to the Observations Meeting within about 3–6 weeks. After that, we complete the necessary paperwork and schedule your Kick-Off Meeting, which usually takes place the following month.

In total, it typically takes 1 to 2 months before we officially get started. We take this time intentionally — both to ensure you have all the information you need and to make sure we’re the right fit for each other.

We understand that some clients may have urgent needs or time-sensitive issues. While we do our best to accommodate, our first priority is to serve our existing clients. For this reason, please reach out to us as early as possible if you anticipate a pressing situation.

Yes. While most meetings are virtual, we also meet with clients in Midtown Manhattan by appointment.

During the first year, we may meet more frequently as we get to know your situation and establish your plan. Over time, the schedule stabilizes, and most clients find a rhythm with us.

Typically, we meet 2–3 times per year for financial planning check-ins — usually in May/June and September/October — plus additional meetings for tax preparation and review between January and April.

Beyond these scheduled meetings, our financial planning clients are welcome to reach out anytime by email or phone, or to request an additional meeting whenever needed.

Services & Scope

No. We focus on ongoing financial planning and long-term relationships, not one-time or project-based services. Your circumstances and goals can change from year to year, and advice that’s right today may no longer fit tomorrow. By working with you over time, we ensure our guidance stays relevant and effective. If you are seeking a one-time engagement, another firm may be a better fit.

No. We prepare U.S. tax returns only, but we regularly coordinate with licensed Japanese CPAs to support clients who need Japan-side filings.

Only selectively. This service is generally reserved for our ongoing financial planning and business clients, and is available by invitation only.

Tax planning is a proactive, forward-looking process where we help you take steps to reduce your taxes now and in the future. It involves making decisions in advance — such as timing income, maximizing deductions, or planning retirement contributions — so you can keep more of what you earn.

Tax preparation, on the other hand, is a backward-looking process. It means accurately reporting what has already happened during the year and filing your return on time. While there’s usually less room to reduce taxes at this stage, it’s still essential to ensure accuracy and compliance.

We see tax planning as part of our financial planning services, with tax preparation as the outcome of those strategies. Both are important, and we take each seriously.

Yes. Estate and inheritance planning is part of our financial planning services. We coordinate with estate attorneys and licensed Japanese CPAs to support cross-border planning, gifting strategies, and family legacy needs. Our goal is to help clients and their families avoid unnecessary stress, time, and costs when managing estates across two countries.

Yes. As part of our financial planning service, we review your employer retirement accounts (401(k), 403(b), 457, etc.) and provide guidance on how your portfolio should be allocated and invested. We also advise you on how much to contribute each pay period and ensure your beneficiary designations are up to date. Our goal is to make your finances simpler and easier to manage.

Yes. Many of our clients are international couples, and we feel deeply honored to serve them. We believe this is our calling — to help couples communicate openly about their money so they can build a harmonious life together.

Our meetings are conducted both in English and Japanese, we make sure both partners feel heard, understood, and confident in every decision. For us, it’s not just about finances—it’s about supporting love, family, and the future you want to create together.

Yes. For financial planning, we serve clients across the U.S.

For business accounting, our focus is on New York–based businesses. Each state has its own tax rules and compliance requirements, and we believe business owners are best served by CPAs who understand their local regulations. By specializing in New York, we can go deeper, provide more value, and be truly effective for our clients.

That said, we also support select clients in neighboring states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts where we have established experience.

Yes. We regularly collaborate with CPAs, attorneys, and other advisors to make sure your overall plan is consistent and aligned. If you have a long-standing relationship with a CPA you trust, we encourage you to maintain it — we focus on planning while your CPA handles tax preparation. In many cases, this partnership works seamlessly and benefits our clients.

No, we don’t. As a fee-only fiduciary and independent financial planner, we don’t sell products that pay commissions, since those can create conflicts of interest.

If you already own annuities or life insurance, we will carefully review them as part of your financial plan. Many people buy these products and then leave them unattended, but they should be reviewed periodically to ensure they still fit your needs.

The products themselves can serve a purpose, but it’s important to align them with your overall financial goals. In U.S.–Japan situations, advanced tax planning is often required, and mismatches are common if the products are not reviewed in context.

Pricing & Compensation

Our financial planning fees start at $4,800 per year for individuals and $6,000 per year for couples or families. Payments are set up automatically on a quarterly basis (for example, $1,200/quarter for individuals or $1,500/quarter for couples/families) via ACH or credit card.

There is also a one-time initial setup fee of $500.

The exact fee depends on the complexity of your situation. We provide a clear, specific quote during the Observation Meeting, once we fully understand your needs.

Our business accounting and tax services start at $500 per month. The exact fee depends on your business needs and the scope of services we provide. After meeting with you and reviewing your situation, we’ll provide a tailored quote.

Most of our business clients need three core services: monthly bookkeeping, payroll, and business tax return preparation — the foundations for a strong, healthy business. In addition, we offer ongoing business advisory, giving owners a trusted partner to discuss challenges and opportunities as they grow.

Our investment management fees range from 0.50% to 1.00% of assets under management (AUM), with lower rates available at higher asset levels. Your brokerage and retirement accounts are held securely at Charles Schwab, our custodian. We are assigned as your advisor and manage your investment accounts directly through Schwab on your behalf.

Yes. For investment-only clients, the minimum is $500,000. However, for clients engaged in our financial planning services, this minimum is waived.

Yes. At $1.5 million or more in assets under management (AUM), financial planning fees may be reduced or waived. At $2 million or more, tax preparation may also be included or discounted. We also review your situation over time. If your financial complexity decreases, we adjust your fees accordingly to ensure they reflect your current needs.

If you are engaged in our financial planning, investment management, or business accounting services, individual tax return preparation fees may be reduced or even waived, depending on the complexity of your situation.

For business tax returns (C-Corporation, S-Corporation, or Partnership), fees start at $2,500. Before beginning any tax return engagement, we provide a detailed quote so you know the exact cost in advance — no surprises later.

Being fee-only means we are paid solely by our clients — not by commissions, product sales, or hidden incentives. Unlike brokers or advisors who earn money from selling financial products, we have no financial interest in recommending one investment or solution over another. As a fiduciary, we are legally and ethically obligated to put your best interests first. This eliminates conflicts of interest and ensures that our advice is unbiased, transparent, and always focused on helping you achieve your goals.

Our compensation is fully transparent. We are a fee-only firm, which means we are paid only by the fees our clients agree to — never by commissions or product sales. All fees are clearly explained upfront, before you decide to work with us.

Cross-Border Planning

Not necessarily. With the right planning, you can usually avoid paying tax twice. The U.S. and Japan have a tax treaty, and there are rules that let you use taxes paid in one country to offset taxes owed in the other. For example, if you pay income tax in Japan, you can generally claim a credit for those taxes when filing in the U.S. This coordination helps make sure you’re not taxed twice on the same income.
It depends on your specific situation and the policies of your financial institutions. Some may require additional paperwork, such as a Power of Attorney or other forms, to keep your accounts active while you live overseas. We work with you to evaluate your options — whether to keep, withdraw, or convert your accounts — while carefully considering the U.S. and Japan tax implications of each choice. This is an important area that requires thoughtful planning from multiple angles.
Yes. If you qualify for U.S. Social Security benefits, you can receive them while living in Japan. You don’t need a U.S. bank account — your benefits can be deposited directly into a Japanese bank account. When it comes time to apply, we’ll help you choose the best timing based on your needs and goals. For some people, starting earlier makes sense, while for others, waiting longer provides more benefits. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer — each situation is unique and requires thoughtful planning.
We recognize that visa and residency matters are an important part of cross-border financial planning. In Japan, licensed professionals called Gyōsei-shoshi (Administrative Scriveners) specialize in assisting with visa and residency applications. We collaborate with these professionals and are happy to introduce our clients to trusted experts, so that your financial and residency planning can work smoothly together.
It depends — there are pros and cons to both options. While we are not immigration lawyers, we can help you understand the tax and financial implications of each path. If needed, we coordinate with trusted immigration attorneys and can refer you to them to discuss the legal side of your specific situation.
Yes. The treaty affects areas such as Social Security, pensions, retirement accounts, and other income and assets. We help you apply the treaty correctly — for example, by completing forms like W-8BEN and making sure treaty benefits are reflected properly on your tax returns. In practice, many financial institutions are not familiar with the U.S.–Japan tax treaty, and errors are common. Our goal is to get it right from the start and proactively prevent mistakes, so nothing important falls through the cracks.
Yes. Repatriation planning is one of our specialties. It means preparing your finances and taxes before you return to Japan, so the move is smooth and cost-efficient. We look at areas such as exit tax, retirement accounts, Social Security, investments, and — most importantly — the best timing for your move from a financial and tax perspective. Because these decisions take time, we recommend starting at least one year before departure, and ideally two or more. Many of our clients begin planning years in advance, and we guide them step by step to ensure their transition back to Japan is well-prepared and stress-free.
If you are considered a U.S. tax resident, rental income from Japanese property must also be reported on your U.S. tax return. Typically (not always), you would file your Japanese tax return first (by March 15) and then your U.S. return (by April 15, with extensions available if needed). Since everyone’s situation is unique, we guide you through the process based on your circumstances and help apply foreign tax credits, so you don’t end up paying tax twice.
It depends on your personal situation and goals. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, so we take the time to understand your full financial picture before making recommendations. Through this process, we can explore options that may help your savings work more effectively for you, both in Japan and the U.S.

Investments & Philosophy

We believe in a passive, evidence-based approach — not trying to “beat the market,” which is rarely sustainable year after year. Instead, we focus on building globally diversified, tax-efficient portfolios designed around your goals and comfort with risk.

Our portfolios are built primarily with ETFs and mutual funds, with some individual stocks when appropriate. We rebalance regularly, manage taxes carefully, and keep an open dialogue with you to ensure your investments stay aligned with your plan.
No. Due to regulatory requirements, we can only provide direct investment management services for clients who are living in the U.S. However, we continue to support many clients who relocate to Japan by helping with financial planning, tax strategies, and coordination with Japanese professionals. We can also advise you on how to best structure or transition your U.S. accounts before your move, so your investments remain aligned with your long-term goals even after you are abroad.