Being a consultant implies that you are proficient in your field and are willing and able to guide and assist others in your area of expertise. Many people call themselves consultants, but may lack the knowledge, experience or ability to guide and assist others in an efficient and effective manner. We take the term ‘consultant’ seriously. Being an actuarial consultant or an employee benefit consultant, we know the GASB regulations regarding post-employment benefits, the pros and cons of HRAs, HSAs, 403(b)s, fully insuring and self-insuring benefit plans, the importance of properly written and executed plan documents, employee handbook language and employee communications. We also know that it is not our plan – but your plan. Our purpose is to help you understand your plans, the options that are available and to assist you and your organization to design, establish, implement or amend plans to meet your determined goals. Never should the answer to a question be “because my consultant told us to”. A consultant’s job is to educate and guide the process. Listening to the concerns and the objectives is an important part of the job so that the consultant is able to provide the valuable knowledge and data needed to make the right choices and take the right steps. As the leader of your organization, you are in charge of making the final decisions and you should know exactly why you are making those decisions.
