Burlington, VT Office

Costello Financial Planning works with individuals and families as well as employer retirement plans and private foundations, providing comprehensive wealth management, retirement-plan consulting, private foundation investment services, and tax preparation support. Its client work includes financial planning, cash‑flow and scenario analysis, development of an Investment Policy Statement, asset allocation, manager selection, and ongoing portfolio monitoring.

The firm describes a "Personal CFO" process that begins with discovery and a base plan, proceeds to a written IPS and portfolio selection, and continues with implementation and periodic review; it manages both discretionary and non‑discretionary accounts and emphasizes periodic rebalancing. Investment decisions are guided by fundamental analysis and a long‑term, buy‑and‑hold approach informed by Modern Portfolio Theory and tailored to client risk tolerance and objectives.

Compared with many peers, the firm combines fee‑only financial advice with in‑house and affiliated tax and accounting capabilities — including a principal with CPA credentials and the use of external tax preparers for client returns — a less common arrangement among similar advisers. It also uses formal solicitor/referral arrangements (including participation in third‑party advisor networks) and highlights adherence to third‑party professional standards such as CFP and NAPFA codes, while stating it does not accept commissions or performance‑based fees.