Greg Sykora, CFP®, CIWM, FCSI®, CIM® Financial Planner & Partner

Specialties

I specialize in helping business owners and incorporated professionals –   I help successful business owners and incorporated professionals protect their family’s wealth with insurance, grow their profits tax efficiently, and be prepared for future life and business transitions.

Building wealth more efficiently- I help clients improve investment returns by replacing expensive products with more cost effective investment solutions.

Retirement Income for Retirees- I help clients in or entering retirement maximize the income they receive from their investment portfolios and government pensions after tax. 

Past Work Experience

2021-Present – Financial Planner & Partner – Zavitz and Sykora Financial Strategies – St Catharines

2016-2021 District Vice President – Mackenzie Investments – Toronto

2014-2015 Business Development Manager – Fidelity Investments – Toronto

2010-2013 Associate Financial Advisor – Turner Wealth Management – Toronto

2009 Client Service Specialist – Questrade – Toronto

Designations achieved and professional courses passed

CFP ® – Certified Financial Planner – FP Canada

CIWM – Certified International Wealth Manager – CSI Institute

CIM ® – Chartered Investment Manager – CSI Institute

FCSI ® – Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (one of 3500 in Canada) – CSI Institute

 

Certified Financial Planner Ethics Course and Curriculum Project – FP Canada

Alternative Investments – CSI  Institute

Alternative Strategies – Hedge Funds and Liquid Alternatives – CSI Institute

Canadian Securities Course (CSC) – CSI Institute

Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH) – CSI Institute

Dealing with Special High Networth Client Situations – CSI Institute

ETFs: Evolution and Emerging Trends – CSI Institute

Estate Planning for High Networth Clients – CSI Institute

Financial Planning I – CSI Institute

Financial Planning II – CSI Institute

Financial Services Industry – Business Drivers and Challenges – CSI Institute

Investment Management Techniques (IMT) – CSI Institute

Law Estate and Tax Supplement – CSI Institute

Lending, Retirement and Insurance Supplement – CSI Institute

Portfolio Management Techniques (PMT) – CSI Institute

Practice Management for High Networth Clients – CSI Institute

Retirement Planning for High Networth Clients – CSI Institute

Charter Financial Analyst (CFA) Level 1 complete – CFA Institute

Investment Approach

We invest our client’s money using a Core and Explore approach. Passive ETFs as the core, and mutual funds/alternative products as the explore. When we build our client’s investment portfolios we use a combination of ETFs, Mutual Funds and Segregated Funds / Alternative product. Fees are one of the biggest determinants of investment performance outcomes over time, so we aim to keep investing fees low and to a minimum.

Our goal is to hit singles and doubles. We aim to keep our clients invested at all times.

Interests

I live in Burlington with my wife Amanda and son Preston. I’m a foodie and big on slow smoking meats in my backyard – brisket, pulled pork, ribs, trout, salmon you name it. I consider myself a sports guy- a diehard Buffalo Bills fan and patient Toronto Maple Leafs / Blue Jays fan. I run a fantasy football league, but I always lose because of injuries. I had a stint after university where I played poker professionally that I successfully quit while I was ahead. And when it comes to being active I enjoy playing soccer, fishing, doing P90x workouts and camping with friends and family. Once a year I brave the backwoods of Algonquin.

Professional Awards

2020 – Mackenzie Investments Award of Distinction (Momentum Award)

2014 – Fidelity Investments Award of Distinction (Prospecting Award)

contact details

+1 905 227 7479
271 Merritt Street Unit #3 St. Catharines, ON L2T 1K1

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