Bernier Financial Services

My interest in financial planning began long before I entered the financial services industry. When I was five years old, my father passed away, and my family experienced a period of financial strain and uncertainty. My mother had limited job experience and little exposure to financial planning, and she worked hard to manage day-to-day expenses and responsibilities during a difficult transition. T

hat experience gave me early insight into the stress and uncertainty that financial challenges can create and how important thoughtful guidance can be during times of change. As I got older and eventually met my first financial advisor, I began to understand how planning and education could help individuals and families make more informed decisions. I also recognized that I enjoyed breaking down financial concepts into clear, practical terms. Those experiences led me to pursue a career focused on helping clients better understand their financial situations and options. I entered the financial services industry in 2006 and have spent more than two decades working with individuals and families across a wide range of circumstances. I work with clients who are planning for retirement, navigating increased financial complexity, recovering from loss, preparing for college expenses, or evaluating next steps during major life transitions. While each situation is different, my role is to understand a client’s specific needs and help them evaluate choices through a structured planning process. My practice places a strong emphasis on retirement planning. I enjoy helping clients think through how their financial resources, benefits, and decisions align with their long-term goals and lifestyle considerations. I also work with clients who want to balance planning for the future while remaining mindful of their current priorities. I follow a six-step financial planning process designed to gather relevant information, clarify objectives, and develop tailored recommendations. A key part of my approach is taking the time to understand what matters most to each client, including their goals, concerns, and prior planning experiences. Ongoing reviews allow plans to be adjusted as circumstances change. I hold the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® (CRPC®) designation from the College for Financial Planning and earned a Certificate in Retirement Planning from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania through Equitable Advisors’ “At Retirement” program, which confers the Retirement Planning Specialist® title. I also hold Ohio Life, Accident & Health Insurance licenses and Series 7, 66, and 24 securities licenses. I live in Green, Ohio, and enjoy outdoor activities and community involvement. I value long-term relationships with my clients and approach my work with care, professionalism, and an emphasis on thoughtful planning.