ZAEL MIRANSKY, CFP®, RRC, LLQP, BA. (Hons) CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Division Director, IG Wealth
ZAEL MIRANSKY
“Trimming the Fat”
Before he transitioned into a financial services career Zael Miransky owned and operated a small personal training company. “Believe it or not, I have found that there are many similarities between being a good personal trainer and being a good Financial Planner,” Zael says.
According to workable.com, a personal trainer assesses his or her customer's physical strengths and weaknesses and creates customized workout plans. The personal trainer also provides physical and mental guidance, monitors customer's progress and ensures clients don't get injured while training.
Although it was very gratifying to watch his personal training clients achieve some amazing results, Zael wanted to do more. He believed that his people and communication skills, including a unique ability to persuade and motivate his clients to achieve their physical fitness and lifestyle goals, were completely transferable to helping them achieve their goals in other areas of their lives. With a father who was a Financial Planner, it was easy and natural to make the transition to financial planning.
Since earning a B.A. from the University of Guelph, Zael has achieved both the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® and Registered Retirement Consultant designations and became a fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute, the highest credential offered by the organization. He has also met the Canadian licensing regime for life insurance sales people.
Among other things, these licenses and designations not only provide Zael with a good understanding of tax law, family wealth planning, family law, and insurance, they require an ongoing commitment to continuing education.
Holistic planning allows clients to reach their financial and lifestyle goals. “A holistic approach gives me insight into all aspects of a specific client’s life, and ensures I focus on everything, not just one metric, like outperforming the markets or beating a benchmark,” Zael says.
Zael joined IG Wealth Management in 2010. He is skilled in wealth accumulation, disability insurance, investment strategies, retirement planning, and investments. “It was relatively easy and far more fulfilling to transition from trimming the physical fat through various strategies like tax and risk minimization,” the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Registered Retirement Consultant and Division Director says.
“As a Division Director, I have an even greater opportunity to make an impact. By training, motivating and coaching 20 Advisors who are each working with 200 families, together, we can help 4,000 people. I made a difference when I was working with 20 personal training clients. I make an even bigger difference by building, managing, and protecting wealth for 4,000 families!,” he adds.
“IG Wealth Management’s talented team of Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts conduct research and interact face-to-face with the companies and the corporate leaders who drive and shape the economy – around the clock and around the world,” Zael explains.
Zael is assisted by an Associate, who is responsible for day-to-day operations, an Operations Assistant, and an Executive/Administrative Assistant. Although retired, Zael’s father is still very involved with the firm and its many clients.
Philosophy & Approach
“Although rates of return are important, it is just as important to understand cash flow - what funds come in and what funds go out - needs versus wants, the tax implications of all of your financial decisions, and risk minimization strategies like insurance. These strategies have the potential to directly translate into more money in your pocket.”
Zael encourages clients to be honest about what keeps them up at night, what's important to them, and what they want and need their money to do. “Financial Consultants ask people to get financially ‘naked.’ I take the time to understand clients and consultants as the unique human beings that they are. I am interested in building better relationships not just a bigger book of business.”
Which is probably why Zael, and his team are slightly neurotic about timely responses to client requests, and getting things done right the first time. Clients describe him as a deep thinker, professional, intelligent, punctual, organized, disciplined, reliable, and compassionate.
One client said, "Passionate is the first word that comes to mind at the thought of Zael. Yes, he's passionate about his role, but I think his true passion is people. Our well-being in all aspects, not just finance. He's truly special to us."
Zael is so committed to transparency that he has implemented a relationship disclosure form. This document outlines expectations for the relationship, and covers things like confidentiality, a commitment to conflict-free advice, mutual sharing of information and work, communication, production of a holistic financial plan, and to facilitate access to IG’s team of professionals, including lawyers, accountants, realtors, mortgage specialists, and other consultants as required.
“Client conversations get tougher with job loss, restructuring, illness, death etc. Our objective is to help our clients be as prepared for life’s future twists and turns as humanly possible,” he adds.
Up Close & Personal
Zael’s mother was a lawyer and his father was in finance. His grandfather was a well-respected Yiddish poet. “I’m sure that my creative and artistic side comes from my grandfather.”
Zael believes in giving back, and has supported “Blessings in a Backpack” (https://www.blessingsinabackpack.org/) for a number of years. Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. He also financially supports and volunteers his time on events for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
As a last word, Zael says, “Money doesn’t do much good if there are health challenges. My father had a quadruple bypass when he was quite young. Having “crucial” conversations about these types of difficult subjects, gives me an opportunity to learn about myself, and to push myself to be a better, more understanding and compassionate person. I am always focused on building and maintaining trust, respect, and long-term relationships. If you want a stock tip, don’t call me. Because a single stock tip does little to advance the achievement of your short, medium and long term financial and lifestyle goals.”
This is a general source of information only. It is not intended to provide personalized tax, legal or investment advice, and is not intended as a solicitation to purchase securities. Zael Miransky is solely responsible for its content. For more information on this topic or any other financial matter, please contact an IG Wealth Management Consultant. Mutual funds and investment products and services are offered through Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Additional investment products and brokerage services are offered through Investors Group Securities Inc. Investors Group Securities Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Insurance products and services distributed through I.G. Insurance Services Inc. Insurance license sponsored by The Great-West Life Assurance Company. Investors Group Trust Co. Ltd. is a federally regulated trust company and the mortgagee. Mortgages are offered through I.G. Investment Management, Ltd. Inquiries will be referred to a Mortgage Planning (Agent) Specialist. Mortgage Brokerage Licence #10809, Mortgage Administrator Licence #11256.
Suzen Fromstein is the author of Suits and Ladders, Ten Proven Ways to Keep Your Job Safe - with a few jokes thrown in. Suits and Ladders was an Amazon Best Selling Book in the Career Guides Career Guides Category
ZAEL MIRANSKY, CFP®, RRC, LLQP, BA. (Hons)
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional, Registered Retirement Consultant and Division Director
4950 Yonge Street, Suite 2100,
Toronto, ON M2N 6K1
(416) 733-4722 x 7766
zael.miransky@ig.ca