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)