Unlike the beautiful woman pictured above, finances have always made about as much sense to me as sports. I get that handling funds is important, and I get the whole having a goal in sight thing, but other than that, I’m at a loss. This is why I will hire someone to take care of my finances, much in the same way a good team will have an outstanding running back to dive into the endzone. And, similar to sports, with finances it’s always good to get a quarter back. (I apologize.)
For some, maximizing a client’s return is akin to the high felt after batting a grand slam – pure and intense satisfaction. Anna Khan is one such rush seeker. She has built a career out of helping clients manage their funds and appropriating ROIs. This unassuming woman – blond locks, blue eyes, calm demeanor – has proven that you can have both brains and beauty, and that being a powerhouse at financial firms is not relegated to men.
Anna Khan first came to Canada in August of 1990, after spending a year in Vienna seeking immigrant status – she was born in the Czech Republic. Through high school (all five of them), Anna always had a love of numbers. She received an academic merit scholarship from the University of Toronto, where she studied economics. During her senior years, she worked as a teller to support her education. Five years into the world of banking, she was managing two branches in Toronto, no small feat for anyone of either gender. Anna was accepted into an MBA program, and went on to become a broker at RBC. She has sat on the board of directors at CAWEE and the Toronto Board of Trade.
It wasn’t always a steady road for Anna. Throughout her ascent to her desired career, sacrifices had to be made. When her husband’s career started to take off, Anna had to slow down her path to take care of her then four-year-old daughter. “I was working 70 hours per week with school and my career. The decision was made to let my husband fly while I finished my MBA.”
Anna was found by a headhunter for the Canadian Medical Association through ads she had in the Globe and Mail. She began working at MD, the financial arm of the CMA. It wasn’t long before they parted ways, realizing it wasn’t what she was looking for. From MD, she went to TD. Because of how she conducts business, several of her clients have been with her throughout her financial career. “My clients loved me and the relationships we have built.” While at TD, Anna was a private banker, attending to her clients who were part of the program that also allotted them 24-hour service and discounted rates.
After a management restructuring, Anna decided to leave, setting her sights on starting her own business. Through her business contacts, she ended up being introduced to the CEO, Greg Hilderman, of G2 Financial. Here, she has found her niche, playing a high-profile, pivotal role as Director of Business Development for a company specifically geared towards “tax minimization, wealth preservation, and (again) tax minimization.”
G2 Financial specializes in providing direct benefits to their clients, made up largely of doctors whom they help get incorporated. Once incorporated, part of Anna’s job is to work with the client on a direct tax savings strategy. A key method used is setting up what could be considered a “super savings” account, through which funds can be withdrawn tax-free, and are guaranteed at seven per cent for 10 years. G2 works closely with PPI Financial Group, who in turn work closely with the financial institutions in Canada that allow the set up accounts of this nature. As for wealth preservation, Anna and G2 work closely with Walton International to help set up wise investments that will provide strong ROIs for their clients.
Anna loves the company she works for, and credits the management team as being open to discussion of new ideas, never content to rest on their laurels. “I have finally found a company and owners who don’t just see a tree, they see a forest.”
For Anna, she wouldn’t have advanced to where she is without the support of her family. She says she “owes success to my husband and in-laws. They have been great, they help look after my beautiful daughter, and take care of our house when we’re away.” She also credits her assistant, Maria Giovinazzo, as being a balancing force in her life.
A self-professed “brown thumb,” Anna hopes to cultivate more adept gardening skills in the bit of spare time she gets, as well as making up for lost time with her daughter. Anna’s life is a touchdown, and she’s looking to her next field goal.
For more information, visit G2Financial.ca.
Anna can be contacted at: anna@g2financial.ca.
Photo by Yanka Van Der Kolk, Yanka.ca.
