Growing Your Money

A shared vision based on trust and straight talk brought investment pro Pam Kruger and accountant Ray Biello together in the same office. And they’re quickly proving that genuine personal service really adds up.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 02/05/2008
When your accountant or financial advisor is reviewing numbers, you shouldn’t be one of them.

“So many people come to me and say they never hear from the person who opened their account,” says Pam Kruger, owner of Kruger Consulting Inc., an investment and insurance consulting firm in Berea. “All they get is a statement in the mail. For me, the personal relationship with my client is important. Most of them become good friends.”

CPA Ray Biello, owner of Ray Biello & Associates, Inc., who shares an office with Pam, agrees.

“Poor service is the main reason people switch accountants,” Ray explains. “With a lot of firms you become a number as time goes on. I’ve been a number before and I didn’t like it. I choose not to treat my clients that way. When you’re handling somebody’s money, there has to be a personal trust there.”
Pam and Ray’s common philosophies, which emphasize personal service, helped forge a mutual trust that has resulted in a number of shared clients.

Investing: Pam Kruger
Pam speaks with the assurance of a veteran investment advisor.

“Everybody is skittish about the financial market today,” she says. “But it’s important to remember that this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this and it won’t be the last. It’s a good time to review your investments and maybe make a few adjustments, but there is no need to panic.”

Pam specializes in developing financial plans for clients based on their goals and risk tolerance.

“A lot of my clients have some understanding of investing, but they need a little help to tie it all together,” she explains. “Education is the greatest service that I can give my clients, so that they’re able to feel good about making informed decisions. They are comforted to know that they can call me any time.”

Many of Pam’s new clients are people approaching retirement age, who are concerned about whether they will have enough money to live on when they stop working.

“I sit down with them and set up a budget. We review all assets to be sure they are properly invested to give them the income they need for an enjoyable retirement,” she says. “Good estate planning is important as well.”

Pam specializes in mutual funds, IRA/Roth IRAs, annuities and life insurance. She also helps the elderly apply for veteran’s benefits if additional income is needed for assisted living/nursing homes.
Along with individual financial planning, Pam can assist small businesses with retirement and health plans such as Simple IRAs, 401Ks and HSAs.

A 19-year veteran of the insurance and investment business, Pam started Kruger Consulting in 2000. She is an investment advisor representative with Cornerstone Asset Management.

To set up a no-cost consultation, call her at 440-234-0300.

Securities offered through J.W. Cole Financial, Inc. Member FINRA. Investment advisory services offered through Cornerstone Asset Management Services, Inc. (CAMS), a Registered Investment Advisor.

Accounting: Ray Biello
Having been the controller for a construction company, CPA Ray Biello is more than just a bean counter.

“I have a lot of experience in how businesses operate day-to-day,” Ray says. “Most of my clients look to me for consulting on inventory issues, cost-analysis, and other hands-on areas of their business.”
While specializing in small business accounting and taxes, he also prepares individual tax returns.

If you have a new business and need an accountant—or have an existing business and are looking to make a change—this may be the ideal time to call Ray.

“If you’re going to switch accountants, the beginning of the year is the best time to do it,” he advises.
Ray has 20 years of accounting experience and started his own firm 10 years ago. He now has offices in Northfield and Berea.

“I have clients of all sizes that range from construction to manufacturing to retail,” he says. “I am especially proud of my retention rate. The only time I lose a client is if they retire or choose to get out of the business. Most of my new clients come to me by referral from existing ones.”

To schedule a no-cost initial consultation, call Ray at 440-260-0800.

The shared office of Pam Kruger and Ray Biello is located at 343 W. Bagley Road, Suite #201, in Berea, in the square black building at the corner of Baker Street behind the new Marc’s. Both offer no-cost initial consultations and have flexible hours for your convenience.

Ray Biello, CPA, is not affiliated with J.W. Cole Financial, Inc.

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