Our Team
Shawn Christianson, PFP, CIM, FCSI
Personal Financial Planner
Christianson Financial Limited
Portfolio Manager / Financial Advisor
Christianson Securities of Aligned Capital Partners Inc.
As a seasoned professional, my role is to motivate my clients to take action in their own best interests – guiding the process of sound planning and sensible decision-making in order to achieve financial security.
Each client's needs are unique, so I ensure a high-touch, customized, unbiased approach: empowerment, investor education, and referrals to other specialists in our network – along with ongoing strategic advice. What sets my firm apart is the time and energy devoted to creating strong, lasting relationships. We've become a "destination," providing a comprehensive and targeted offering that our clients have come to trust – and value.
Individuals, families and entrepreneurs are referred to us by like-minded Nova Scotians with a common goal: partnering with a trusted Advisor to make smart decisions about their future. By delegating the strategy and process of holistic wealth management to my team, our clients are able to focus on what's important to them.
Since my financial planning career began in 1993, I've leveraged my considerable expertise to help clients in all aspects of their lives. In addition to insurance, investment, retirement, estate and tax planning, my CIM and PFP designations inform high-level – and effective – portfolio management strategies, risk control and financial analysis.
Shawn Christianson provides investment products and services as an agent of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI). Aligned Capital Partners Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (www.CIPF.ca) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada (www.ciro.ca).
Abigail Christianson, BComm, CIM®
Wealth Advisor
Christianson Financial Limited
Financial Advisor
Christianson Securities of Aligned Capital Partners Inc.
I thoroughly enjoy working with individuals and families committed to a successful financial picture, overcome complexity and to live financial lives on their terms, by applying actionable and trustworthy strategies.
Working with clients through all life stages including wealth accumulation, lifestyle changes, and retirement stages, with a significant emphasis on long-term planning and wealth accumulation to allow financial and personal goals to be realized, is a key area of which I focus with clients.
My certificate in Advanced Investment Advice and Chartered Investment Manager designation back the focus we have on compelling investment management in partnership with holistic wealth planning.
In my spare time, I most enjoy spending time with my two dogs, who are often found wreaking havoc around the office, and my partner, enjoying hiking and all the outdoor adventures Nova Scotia has to offer.
Abigail Christianson provides investment products and services as an agent of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI). Aligned Capital Partners Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (www.CIPF.ca) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada (www.ciro.ca).
Katie Smith
Office Manager
Christianson Financial Limited
Licensed Assistant
Christianson Securities of Aligned Capital Partners Inc.
After graduating with honours from the University of New Brunswick, Katie started out in the financial service industry, and has developed a breadth of knowledge and experience from the several roles that have spanned her career. Her strong sense of developing solid client relationships and helping them realize their financial security and goals, made moving into wealth management a natural progression.
As part of the team at Christianson Financial, she brings motivation, a keen work ethic, and commitment to exceptional service. She believes that by putting clients first, and building bonds based on value and trust, our clients can make their financial dreams a reality.
Katie Smith provides investment products and services as an agent of Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI). Aligned Capital Partners Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (www.CIPF.ca) and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization of Canada (www.ciro.ca).
Nicola Rose-Goodhall, B.Sc., M.Ed.
Financial Administrator
Christianson Financial Limited
Nicola came to us from Sagicor, the largest insurance provider in the Caribbean, where she worked for 5 years while living in Jamaica. Nicola brings a wealth of experience to her role; with a background in accounting and education, adds a unique dimension to our team's expertise.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Nicola finds joy in playing board games, crafting self-care articles, and embarking on explorations of new places with her two beautiful children and husband. As your first point of contact, you will have the pleasure of interacting with Nicola, who exudes warmth and hospitality.
Carla Christianson, B.Sc., B.Ed., M.Ed.
Tax Preparation Specialist
Christianson Financial Limited
After 30 years working in Education Administration, most recently as a Principal, Carla has eagerly started her second career as a Tax Preparation Specialist at Christianson Financial. With a keen interest in organizational capacity and building new relationships, she provides clients with full tax preparation and returns.
In her spare time, she is pursuing bookkeeping, and enjoys travelling with her husband Stu, as well as relaxing at home with her three cats and dog, Roxy. Carla is also a proud mom of 19-year-old son Logan who has his own passion for travel having recently returned from a tour in Southeast Asia.
How we work with our clients
Understand Your Situation
The financial strategy process by asking questions to get a clear picture of who a client is and what they want. The questions are qualitative and lead to a better understanding of the client's health, family relationships, values, earnings potential, risk tolerance, goals, needs, priorities, and current financial strategy.
Identify and Select Goals
Your advisor will use their financial expertise to help you set goals. They'll ask clarifying questions to help you identify those goals. Example questions would be: What is your time horizon? Which goals do you want to accomplish in five years, 10 years, 20 years, or 30 years? What is your risk tolerance? Are you willing to accept a higher risk to achieve your investment goals, or would you prefer a conservative portfolio?
Analyze Current Action Plan
Next, we analyze a client's current action plan to see if things are moving in the right direction. If not, we will identify possible "course corrections" and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Develop Recommendations
We select one or more recommendations that we believe will help you meet your goals. We evaluate each recommendation based on this criteria:
- Assumptions made to develop recommendations
- How recommendations meet client's goals
- Integration with other aspects of a client's financial strategy
- The priority of the recommendation
- Whether a recommendation can be implemented independently or needs to be implemented with other recommendations
Implement the Recommendations
Implementing the recommendations means we are putting the plan to work for you. While this sound simple, for many people implementation is the most difficult step in achieving their financial goals. Even though the plan has been prepared, it usually takes desire and discipline to put everything into action. Some people worry about what happens if they fail. Sometimes inaction can grow into procrastination.
Monitor Progress and Revise Plans
The process is called "financial strategizing" for a reason. Strategies often evolve and change over time - just like life. Once a financial strategy is created, it becomes a part of your personal history. Every financial strategy needs to be monitored and tweaked from time to time to reflect present realities. Over time, various life situations can change: marriage, children, career changes, and more.
