EXPLOREABOUT RICH
Rich Berendson joined Forum Financial Management in 2024 as the Director of Finance. Prior to joining Forum, Rich worked in finance and accounting for more than 20 years with a focus on FP&A (budgeting and analysis) and controlling including roles at ABN AMRO Bank, United Airlines, Schneider Electric and International Decorators.
Rich is a volunteer coach for youth baseball and volleyball. He also volunteers at special events with Breakthrough Ministries and By the Hand Club for Kids.
Rich is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned an MBA in accounting from DePaul University in Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois.
Rich lives in Lake Barrington with his wife and three children.
A PERSONAL APPROACH
Tell Us About Your Financial Life and Aspirations
Your experience begins with an initial meeting to identify your financial vision for the future and risk tolerance levels. We review our investment philosophy and approach with you so that you fully understand each milestone of our process and how our relationship will evolve over time.
PREVIOUS 
Discuss Topics Crucial to Your Financial Success
Over the course of the next few meetings, the content and breadth of each meeting is defined by your personal needs. We can review your estate planning and risk management needs, discuss retirement accumulation or distribution planning, evaluate educational funding needs, review your tax situation, and go over any other items crucial to your financial success.
PREVIOUS Develop a Strategic Plan Unique to You
Once you select an allocation, we put together a strategic implementation plan that will coordinate investment of your portfolio between qualified (tax-advantaged) assets and non-qualified assets in order to maximize tax efficiency. The topics we address during our time with you vary depending on your unique needs and situation.
Putting Your Plan Into Action
We establish your Forum account based on the portfolio allocation we discussed and what we learned about your risk tolerance and financial goals. With your new Forum account now in place, you will have the opportunity to access your Forum Client Portal for the first time and connect with members of the Forum Client Service team.
Review Goals and Plans When Your Life Changes
You will receive reporting that will clearly show your performance net of all fees and compared to applicable market indexes. Additionally your assets are held at a reputable third-party custodian that furnishes independent monthly reports so you can feel confident about the safe handling of your money.
