Larry Heller

More Time, Less Stress: Why Smart Businesses Are Outsourcing Their Bookkeeping with Cheri Giglia (Ep. 178)

By Retirement Unlocked | June 18, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Outsourcing your bookkeeping isn’t just a cost-saving move; it could be the smartest strategic decision your business makes this year.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Cheri Giglia, Owner and Managing Director of Supporting Strategies on Long Island, to explore why more small businesses are turning to virtual bookkeeping for efficiency, clarity, and peace of mind.

Cheri shares how outsourced financial support can streamline operations, enhance internal controls, and deliver timely insights that empower business owners to make better decisions, whether they’re planning for growth, managing cash flow, or preparing for an audit. With real client stories and tech-forward best practices, this episode is packed with value for any business owner looking to scale smarter.

What to expect from this episode:

The top reasons businesses are turning to virtual bookkeeping
How cloud-based systems streamline accounting operations
Real client scenarios where bookkeeping impacted business decisions
Tips for choosing the right outsourced financial team
And more!

Connect with Cheri Giglia:

LinkedIn: Cheri Giglia
631-230-5570
cgiglia@supportingstrategies.com
LinkedIn: Supporting Strategies
Supporting Strategies

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Accounting and bookkeeping are services that many businesses on Long Island need to manage more effectively. Business owners struggle to find professionals who they trust to manage these important aspects of their operations. This is where Cheri Giglia and her company, Supporting Strategies on Long Island, come in. Her professional team removes owners’ headaches and improves efficiencies.

As an accountant and former Financial Director for a public company, Cheri has expertise working in many different industries. She understands the pressure and stress that business owners face when it comes to gaining greater financial control of their operations. She uses her more than two decades of experience in accounting and financial management to create strategies to improve efficiencies and reduce costs.

Cheri’s team of skilled accounting professionals accomplishes this by leveraging technology, allowing clients to easily outsource accounts payable management, billing/accounts receivables, financial/management reporting, HR and payroll support, bookkeeping and monthly financial statements/reports, and controller services. Outsourcing these services allows businesses to focus on growth and other profit-making activities. The way Cheri’s team operates permits them to offer competitively priced professional services and attention that competitors are unable to offer.

Cheri recognizes that there are many choices when it comes to selecting a professional or firm to provide accounting, bookkeeping, and controller services. Business owners and managers choose to work with her because of her experience, personal commitment, and her ability to rapidly provide the financial information they need to make critical business decisions.

The 6 Retirement Mistakes To Avoid (Ep. 177)

By Retirement Unlocked | June 4, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

The market is unpredictable; your retirement plan shouldn’t be.

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, breaks down six of the most common (and costly) mistakes people make when planning for retirement. From underestimating how much you can spend to failing to optimize your Social Security benefits, Larry shares why these pitfalls occur and how a process-based retirement plan can help you avoid them.

Whether you’re approaching retirement or already there, this episode provides actionable strategies to help you invest wisely, reduce emotional decision-making, and stay aligned with your long-term financial goals.

Key conversations in this week’s release include:

The importance of knowing how much you can truly spend in retirement [00:00:47]
Why creating a total return strategy beats relying solely on income [00:03:20]
The pitfalls of being too conservative with your investment portfolio [00:07:02]
When to start withdrawing from your retirement accounts—not just when RMDs kick in [00:10:32]
How to optimize Social Security for the best possible outcome [00:13:17]
The critical need for a comprehensive estate plan [00:15:51]
And more

Connect with Larry Heller:

Breaking the Health Insurance Mold: The New Health Plan Playbook with Louis Bernardi [Ep. 176]

By Retirement Unlocked | May 21, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Health insurance is one of the largest expenses for many businesses, but are you getting what you’re paying for?

In this eye-opening episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, speaks with Louis Bernardi of BrightPath Benefit Advisors about the outdated and opaque nature of most employer-sponsored health insurance plans. Louis reveals how major carriers prioritize shareholder profits over actual care and explains how his PLAN system and data-driven strategies are helping employers cut costs while providing better healthcare options for employees.

From skyrocketing pharmacy costs to hidden MRI fees, Lou unpacks the waste baked into the system and provides actionable strategies to fix it. This is a behind-the-scenes look at an advanced strategy most employers haven’t even heard of.

Key discussions in this release include:

Why traditional health insurance models are broken
The hidden data behind skyrocketing healthcare costs
How Lou’s PLAN system (Prioritize, Leverage, Align, Navigate) helps optimize benefit design
Real-world savings on pharmacy and imaging costs
Options for companies of all sizes
And more!

Connect with Louis Bernardi:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Louis Bernardi is the Founder & Benefit Optimization Officer of BritePath. Lou is the innovator behind BritePath, the benefit strategy that flattens the curve on health insurance costs. BritePath helps benefit decision makers reset their expectations with advanced analytics & insights that make them and their members more informed health care consumers capable of changing the trajectory of the cost and quality of their employer-sponsored health insurance plan. Pay More, Get Less is replaced by a High-Performance Health Care Plan that allows them to finally start winning.

Lou is proud to be among the first 150 advisors accepted into Health Rosetta; an eco-system of forward-thinking advisors and solution partners that share his passion for helping people and businesses customize health plans that enhance benefits, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Lou is also involved with Aspirational Healthcare, Free Market Medical and is a Forbes Business Council member.

Your 5-Year Retirement Countdown: Key Steps to Take Now [Ep.175]

By Retirement Unlocked | May 7, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

What are some steps you should be taking 5 years before your retirement?

This question sets the stage for an engaging episode with Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA ®, where we delve into the crucial five-year countdown to retirement.

Larry emphasizes the importance of timely planning and actionable strategies to ensure a smooth shift into this new life phase. From building up cash reserves to maximizing 401(k) contributions, Larry walks us through a comprehensive guide tailored to those nearing retirement.

Larry covers topics such as:

Building cash reserves and why they’re crucial for a stable retirement [00:01:06]
Strategies to maximize your 401k contributions, especially for those over 50 [00:02:33]
Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and their significance in your retirement plan [00:06:23]
The concept of a ‘Retirement Lifestyle Dry Run’ to mentally and financially prepare for life after work [00:10:34]
And more!

Connect with Larry Heller:

Understanding the Insurance Market Crisis: Higher Rates, Tougher Carriers, and Smart Moves with Gregg Knepper [Ep.174]

By Retirement Unlocked | April 16, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Wildfires. Hurricanes. Cyber Attacks.
How are today’s biggest threats reshaping the insurance industry—and what can you do to stay protected?

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Gregg Knepper, President of Integrated Coverage Group, to break down the rapidly changing insurance landscape. With more than 15 years of experience in risk management and personal insurance, Gregg shares expert insights into how natural disasters, inflation, and digital threats are driving up premiums—and what you can do about it.

From rising home and auto rates to the hidden gaps in your umbrella and cyber insurance, this conversation is packed with practical tips for protecting what matters most.

Key discussion points include:

Understanding personal insurance market challenges [01:00]
Impact of national disasters on local insurance premiums [02:45]
Adjusting policies with higher deductibles for cost efficiency [10:30]
The role of umbrella coverage and uninsured motorist protection [18:15]
The rise of cyber threats and the necessity for cyber insurance for individuals and businesses [24:00]
And more!

Connect with Gregg Knepper:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Gregg Knepper is an experienced Insurance Adviser specializing in helping businesses and individuals limit their risk. As the President of Integrated Coverage Group, a rapidly growing insurance brokerage, Gregg brings over 13 years of expertise in the industry. Unlike traditional brokers who work for specific insurance carriers, Gregg is dedicated to working solely for their clients, ensuring that each client receives a solution tailored to their unique needs.

With a focus on reducing risk, Gregg works closely with clients to craft personalized insurance strategies across a wide range of areas, including workers’ compensation, employee benefits, and cyber insurance. Known for their trustworthiness, knowledge, and honesty, Gregg partners with clients every step of the way to ensure that their risks are managed effectively.

Specializing in supporting quickly growing businesses with sophisticated insurance and risk management needs, Gregg has extensive experience in serving industries such as technology firms, medical practices, real estate, manufacturing, and restaurants and hospitality.

Whether a client is a small startup or a large, complex organization, Gregg Knepper provides the expertise and dedication to meet their specific insurance needs.

5 Tax Gotchas That High-Net-Worth Individuals Overlook [Ep.173]

By Retirement Unlocked | April 2, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

What tax traps could derail your retirement plans?

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, breaks down five major tax “gotchas” that high-net-worth retirees must navigate to protect their wealth and retirement security.

From the impact of required minimum distributions to the looming expiration of the 2017 tax cuts, Larry sheds light on often-overlooked tax challenges. He also explores strategic solutions like Roth conversions and income planning to help retirees minimize surprises and maximize financial confidence.

Key episode discussions include:

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and their tax impact [03:09]
Expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act [04:04]
The “Widow Penalty” and implications for single retirees [07:37]
Gifting strategies and estate planning considerations [10:03]
The consequences of leaving large IRAs to children [11:05]
And more!

Connect with Larry Heller:

Accounting Firm M&A: Trends, Valuations & Challenges with Geoff Bruskin [Ep.172]

By Retirement Unlocked | March 5, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

It’s time to discuss the world of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in accounting.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA ® sits down with Geoff Bruskin, M&A specialist from White Tiger Connections, Inc., to discuss the bustling landscape of M&A, particularly within accounting. Geoff, with his extensive background in business brokerage and private equity, sheds light on why accounting firms have become hot commodities for private equity firms and other investors in today’s market.

They explore the emergence of PE interest in an untapped sector, revealing insights on operational optimization and technology’s transformative role. The conversation touches on AI’s potential to reshape professional services and offers a roadmap for navigating talent challenges in the industry.

Key conversations in this release include:

Why accounting firms are gaining traction in M&A
The impact of subscription-based and value-based billing
AI’s revolutionary role in professional services
Trends in small to medium-sized CPA firms
Tackling talent shortages and future strategies
And so much more!

Connect with Geoff Bruskin:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Geoff Bruskin helps CPA firms and wealth management practices scale, merge, acquire, and ultimately realize the enterprise value they’ve built. As the founder of White Tiger Connections, Geoff operates at the intersection of M&A advisory, business brokerage, and strategic growth – whether organic or through acquisition.

Beyond the accounting and financial services sectors, Geoff works with firm owners and their clients across industries – construction, logistics, IT/MSP, marketing, manufacturing, and beyond – helping them navigate liquidity events, capital raises, and succession planning with precision.

Geoff also hosts The Nexus Point Podcast, where he sits down with industry leaders, investors, and operators to dimensionalize trends in M&A, private capital, and firm growth strategy.

At the core of everything: relationships. The best opportunities emerge from trust, alignment, and a clear understanding of what success looks like – today and years down the road.

Retirement Unlocked: Managing Sequence of Returns Risk [Ep.171]

By Retirement Unlocked | February 19, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

What does it mean to face the ‘sequence of returns risk’ when you retire?

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses why the order of your investment returns matters as you enter retirement. Larry also breaks down this critical aspect of retirement planning and introduces strategies that can safeguard your financial future.

Key episode discussion points include:

The shift from “Life Unlimited” to “Retirement Unlocked”
How the sequence of returns can impact retirees
Historical examples of sequence of returns risk
The reservoir strategy for mitigating those risks
Insights on adjusting your withdrawal strategy
Behavioral finance and the psychological aspects of investing
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Larry Heller:

2025 Tax Changes: What You Must Know to Protect Your Wealth with Bill Minoff [Ep.170]

By Retirement Unlocked | February 5, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Are You Prepared for the Biggest Tax Changes in Years?

The 2025 tax landscape is about to undergo a massive shift as key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire. These changes could mean higher tax rates, fewer deductions, and major implications for your income, business, and estate.

In this episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with tax expert Bill Minoff to break down exactly what’s coming and what you can do now to protect your wealth. From the potential reduction in estate tax exemptions to adjustments in Social Security and corporate taxes, they uncover the critical updates that could reshape financial planning.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—understanding and preparing for these changes now could make all the difference.

Key episode discussion points include:

The significance of the 2025 tax year
Key provisions that might sunset, including the top tax rates and pass-through business deductions
Changes in estate tax exemptions and their impacts
The potential shift in state and local tax (SALT) deductions and ongoing negotiations.
The return of miscellaneous itemized deductions if no agreement is reached
And more!

Connect with Bill Minoff:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Bill Minoff is a dedicated and trusted tax executive with a proven track record of effectively managing the needs of a large family tax planning and compliance practice. With a focus on balancing the priorities of the family, Bill oversees a team responsible for preparing and reviewing a wide range of returns, including individual, fiduciary, small business, exempt organization, and business filings.

Bill collaborates closely with family members, company and outside counsel, family office executives, and other employees to provide expert tax planning and consulting in areas such as federal and state income tax, estate and gift tax, as well as executive compensation and benefits matters.

Mastering Retirement Withdrawals: Expert Tips for Smart Distribution Planning [Ep. 169]

By Retirement Unlocked | January 15, 2025

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Spotify | iHeartRadio | TuneIn | RSS | More

Do you know the smartest way to manage your withdrawals in retirement?

In this episode of the Life Unlimited podcast, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, shares expert strategies for managing retirement withdrawals to ensure financial stability and tax efficiency.

Larry covers essential steps for building a smart distribution plan, emphasizing pre-retirement planning and proactive wealth management. The episode explores the benefits of Roth conversions, the impact of the Secure 2.0 Act, and critical topics such as the widow penalty, annuities, and estate planning, all supported by real client insights.

Whether you’re approaching retirement or already retired, this episode offers practical tips to help you minimize taxes, optimize withdrawals, and protect your wealth and legacy. Don’t miss this valuable guide to mastering your retirement finances!

Key episode discussions include:

Strategic tax planning to minimize taxes before the distribution phase
Understanding different income streams like Social Security, pensions, and retirement accounts
Real client scenarios illustrating the impact of effective and missed strategies
The effects of federal and state estate taxes, plus planning for longevity
Integrating attorneys and other professionals for a holistic financial plan
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Larry Heller: