Your Questions

Votum is an accounting firm that specializes in financial decision-making for personal and corporate clients.  Our clients engage Votum for a number of reasons but our Financial MAP separates us from all other Accounting firms.

Votum is an entirely new business model that we have labeled a “For Purpose” organization.  In its most basic form think if it as a not-for profit organization that operates in a for profit industry that is driven by a specific purpose.  At Votum our purpose is “To improve the financial condition of every individual.”  We treat this purpose the same as a not-for profit organization would treat theirs by allocating our resources to maximize our impact in improving the financial condition of our clients.

Votum is Latin for a solemn promise or vow, it also means a hope or a prayer.  For us our “votum,” or promise is the commitment of using our profits towards our purpose of improving the financial condition of every individual.

Financial MAP is an acronym for Management, Accounting and Planning.  It is intended to represent to fullness of the accounting services we offer.  It also represents all areas requiring attention in order to properly navigate the financial seas.

We start by assessing your current financial health (Where you are).  We then talk about goals and dreams (where you want to be) and then we chart a plan for how to get you there.  We take into consideration financial risks and pitfalls as well as opportunities available for you.  For many clients the first step in preparing for this journey is a proper budget, which is kind of like building the ship for the voyage.  Once the ship is ready we set sail, and journey with you all the way to the destination.

We are neither financial coaches nor financial advisors though we both coach and advise on finances.  A financial coach will give you the tools to build your ship and a financial advisor will increase returns on the wealth you have already accumulated.  Both are valuable however both have inherent weaknesses.  A financial coach can only give you the tools and perhaps get you started but they will not journey with you all the way.  A financial advisor isn’t able to give you their full attention until your ship is a large yacht and even then their role on the ship is limited to portfolio investments.  We consider ourselves financial navigators.  You’re the captain and you have hired us to navigate the financial seas and get you to where you want to go.  As navigators we journey with you all the way, through the sunny days and the storms.

No.  We are a non-designated accounting firm which means that there is no governing body reviewing our work and ensuring our competencies.   We are able to provide most accounting services however we are unable to provide assurance engagements such as audits and review engagements.  Being a non-designated firm also has its benefits (such as a designated accounting firm could not use this business model) however because we don’t have a governing body, we must prioritize the self-assessment of the quality of our work and the professional development of our employees.  Around here we like to say “We are accountants whose reputation is founded on the letters within our name rather than the ones found at the end.”

Of course.  We aren’t looking to obtain clients from other accountants if the clients are happy with the service they are getting.  Our goal is to ensure that you are receiving proper accounting wherever it comes from and there are a number of outstanding accountants in our industry. Because of this we have accountants who will refer clients to us.

We have made an intentional effort to make our services affordable for almost anyone.  Many of our services are offered at less than market value.