WHO WE ARE

Aaron Vissia, CFP, CEBS, CLU Aaron has been in the Financial Services sector since 1996, earning the designation Certified Financial Planner in 2004, and completing the premier designation of Certified Employee Benefit Specialist in 2014. As a business owner, entrepreneur and family man, Aaron understands first-hand the unique issues and concerns of his clients. During the summer months Aaron can often be found enjoying lake time with family and fishing the Alberni Inlet with friends.

Kaitlyn Johnston, QAFP, CHS Kaitlyn has been with AV Financial since 2009 and keeps the office running smooth and efficiently. Kaitlyn is fully licensed with her Mutual Fund and Life License and has also earned her Certified Health Specialist Designation (CHS) in 2019 and Qualified Associate Financial Planner (QAFP) in 2021. Born and raised in the Alberni Valley, Kaitlyn enjoys spending her personal time with her husband and young daughter boating on Sproat Lake and enjoying time in their classic car.

Vesna Dorn, ABA With over 25 years of experiences in personal tax returns, and the business and finance industry I am dedicated, knowledgeable and thrive to provide pristine services to all my clients. I have an Associate of Business Degree -Accounting Major, Level 5 of the CGA program and have taken other courses over my career to continue to learn and keep up with industry changes. My work experiences in accounting and taxes includes working at a CA firm, a logging company, car industry and a care home.

I offer personal tax services at AV Financial, setting up your business for bookkeeping, in house bookkeeping including payroll, government remittances and grant applications. On a personal side, I believe in community services and have volunteered my time on several boards as both a board member and a treasurer, including Sproat Lake Water Sports Association, Alberni Valley Minor Hockey and Cherry Creek Water District Board. I grew up in Port Alberni and left for a short time to pursue my education. I continue to make the Valley my home with my husband and my two teenage children.

Jolene Loyd, Office Administrator As our first point of contact Jolene expresses her enthusiasm to our clients on the phone and at our reception desk. Jolene has been in the service industry for 20 years, taking an interest in financial services after starting her career at a bank in 2017. She has since acquired her Mutual fund license and is excited to expand her knowledge with the AVF team. Her motivation to succeed is driven by the support of her family encouraging her to excel at what she loves best. Her time away from the office is enjoyed with family and appreciating the simple things in life.

INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS

Making the right investment decisions is crucial for securing your financial future. At AV Financial, we understand the significance of prudent investing and provide you with the expertise, tools, and guidance to maximize your returns. Whether you're an experienced investor or just starting your journey, our platforms offer a comprehensive range of investment options tailored to your unique goals and risk appetite.

Model Portfolios

Together with our partners, we will tailor investment portfolios designed to meet your specific investment objectives and risk tolerance levels. Model portfolios offer a structured and disciplined approach to investing, providing investors with diversification and long-term returns by benefiting from the expertise and research of the preferred asset managers.

TFSAs

The Tax-Free Savings Account is a popular investment vehicle available to Canadian residents to help individuals grow their savings and investments tax-free –any income earned within the account, including interest, dividends, and capital gains, is tax-free. Although contributions are not tax-deductible, withdrawals do not incur any tax consequences.

RRSP and RIFs

RRSPs are designed to help individuals save for retirement and provide additional benefits such as tax-deductible contributions, and investments held within the RRSP grow tax-free until withdrawal. RRSP can be converted into an RRIF after retirement to provide a steady stream of income during retirement, while the remaining funds continue to grow tax-deferred.

RESPs

Registered Education Savings Plans are investment accounts specifically designed to help families save for their children's post-secondary education. With RESPs, parents, grandparents, or other contributors can make regular contributions, including government grants, that grow tax-free until the beneficiary enrolls in a qualifying program.

FHSA

The First-Time Home Buyer's Savings Account is a specialized savings account to assist individuals in saving for the purchase of their first home. With an FHSA, Canadians can contribute up to a specified annual limit and benefit from tax-free growth and withdrawals, plus additional government support.

RDSP

The Registered Disability Savings Plan is a long-term savings plan to help Canadians with disabilities and their families save for the future. If you have an RDSP, you may also be eligible for grants and bonds to help with your long-term savings.

Book a free consultation with us to explain your investments options and their benefits in more detail.

INSURANCE

INDIVIDUAL LIFE INSURANCE

Having the right protection can make a huge difference in your life, and the lives of those close to you. To determine which of the many products on the market best suits your situation, AV Financial will look at numerous life factors including age, health and required income.

DISABILITY INSURANCE

This coverage is designed to help protect your most valuable asset, your ability to earn an income. If tragedy strikes and your earning power is jeopardized, disability Insurance can ensure that your compensation is not impacted, preventing the extra stress of financial worries when you should be focused on regaining health and well-being.

CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE

Critical illness or severe medical conditions such as a heart attack, stroke or cancer can turn your life upside down. Insurance can protect both you and those close to you from the devastating financial repercussions related to serious health issues. AV Financial is up to date on the numerous options available and will explore your needs to help you select an appropriate level of coverage.

GROUP BENEFITS

AV Financial recognizes that your business organization and your people are unique. We will design a comprehensive group plan that will work for you, whether you have 300 employees or just 3. We represent a wide variety of companies across British Columbia and are proud to be the Group Benefits representative for the Chamber of Commerce in the Alberni Valley, Tofino and Ucluelet.

OUR PARTNERS

ESTATE PLANNING

Tax minimization strategies and estate planning involves the protection and distribution of assets both during life and after death. An effective estate plan clearly outlines clients' wishes and ensures that personal objectives are implemented in a tax efficient manner.

BENEFITS OF ESTATE PLANNING

Estate planning means arranging how you will leave your money and property when you die and what you intend to leave for your spouse, children or other family members. It involves a variety of topics, including:

• Writing your will and naming someone to be responsible for carrying out your wishes
• Deciding who will look after your children if you die while they are minors
• Distributing assets during your lifetime
• Arranging your assets so that you will pay only the minimum taxes necessary
• Arranging insurance to cover costs, provide for your survivors and pass on assets
• Arranging who will handle your affairs if you become unable to manage them yourself, and giving them directions

IF YOU DON'T PLAN

Many estate planning issues are complex. If you don't plan correctly:

• You lose control. The government will name someone to decide what happens to your savings and property and who will raise your children
• Less money may go to your loved ones. Without planning, it may cost more to settle your estate, especially if you have savings and property. Your survivors may pay more in taxes and estate fees than they would have
• It may take longer to settle your estate. It may be costly and stressful for your survivors
• If you have an old will, your wishes today may be ignored. If your will is out of date, even by just a few years, a lot of things could have changed
• A family conflict could begin. If you don't make a clear plan in a will and other provisions, your loved ones won't know what you want

AV Financial can help you with a plan and work with your other professionals to make your estate plan work the way you want it.

TAX PREPARATION

Our in house Tax Professionals with a combined 50 years of experience will make sure you get the tax return you deserve! From a basic tax return to corporate and estate tax planning, AV Financial is here to help.

SLIPS

• T4 Employment
• T4E EI
• T3/T5 Investments
• T4AP/T4A-OAS (old age security and CPP)
• T4A, T4RSP, T4RIF Other pensions
• T5007 Social Assistance
• T5007 WCB
• T5008 Security/Share sales
• T776 Rental Income
• T2125 Business income
• Foreign income
• Alimony income

DEDUCTIONS

• T2202A Tuition (for self or child)
• Student Loan Interest
• RRSP Contributions
• Child Care Expenses
• Management of Investments Fees (Non-Registered)
• Union Dues
• Charitable Donations
• First Time Home Buyer
• Employment Expenses (Employer signed T2200)
• Northern Resident Deduction
• Disability tax credit (T2200 on file with CRA)
• Educator School Supply Amount
• Moving Expenses (T1M) for Work or too Attend School
• Medical Expenses
• Employment Expenses (Trades People)/Forestry Worker Expenses
• Tax Installments
• Alimony Paid
• Caregiver Amount
• Volunteer Fire Fighter or Search and Rescue (requires 200 hours)
• Apprentice Training Credit (T1014)

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Tax Tools

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2023 Tax Rates

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2022 Tax Rates

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2021 Tax Rates

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CONTACT US

For your convenience you have the option of contacting us by email. Please note that no email is 100% secure, we ask that you provide us with your contact information and questions only. Do not include sensitive information such as income or social insurance number.