How does the APB Financial Architect CPA referral model work?

The model has four steps: the CPA identifies a client with an income protection or estate planning gap, makes a warm introduction to APB, APB runs the Financial Resilience Diagnostic, and delivers a written output the CPA and client can review together. No products are discussed inside the referral.

Why do CPAs refer clients to APB Financial Architect?

APB provides a written diagnostic output - the Financial Exposure Map - that CPAs can review alongside their own analysis. The diagnostic identifies income protection and estate planning gaps rather than recommending products, giving CPAs a concrete client deliverable without overlapping their advisory role. APB acts as a technical resource the CPA brings in for protection analysis.

What types of clients do CPAs refer to APB Financial Architect?

CPAs most often refer high-income professionals and business owners in NY, NJ, or MD who have significant income but haven't reviewed income protection since a raise, job change, or business event. Common referral triggers include a recent income increase, new business ownership, a life event, or upcoming benefits open enrollment.

The CPA Referral Model

For CPAs and estate attorneys who want to understand how the APB referral relationship works in practice — and what their clients experience.

The blind spot in most financial advice relationships

CPAs working with high earners and business owners see the full income picture — revenue, distributions, tax exposure, deferred compensation structure. What most accounting relationships can't fully audit: the income protection layer underneath it all. What happens to that carefully structured financial picture if the income stops?

The APB diagnostic fills that specific gap. The session produces a written document — a Financial Exposure Map — that shows where the client's household or business is exposed and how large the gap is. That document can be shared with the CPA if the client consents.

How the referral model works

One email from you

An intro email to the client, copying Peter. That's the full ask. No forms, no follow-up, no ongoing involvement required from your side.

Peter handles scheduling, the diagnostic, and the written output

The client receives a professional 45-minute review. They are not sold anything during Phase 1. Peter does not involve the CPA in the insurance conversation unless the CPA wants to be involved.

Optional: copy of the Financial Exposure Map to the CPA

With client consent, the CPA receives the written output. The document is clean and factual — it doesn't create work for the CPA or change the client relationship.

Any product recommendation coordinated with the CPA

If the diagnostic surfaces a gap worth addressing, Peter flags it to the CPA before moving forward. The client's advisory team stays coordinated, not fragmented.

Who fits this referral best

Client profile	Fit
$150K+ earner with group benefits only, never reviewed protection layer	Strong
Business owner with revenue growth but no key-person or buy-sell structure	Strong
Professional in 45–60 window: long-term care exposure, aging parent, estate planning needed	Strong
Dual-income household where both incomes are required to sustain the lifestyle	Moderate-strong
Client with multiple advisors but no coordination layer across them	Moderate

Referral fee disclosure: APB may receive referral fees in arrangements with InheritGuard Network (estate planning referrals) and Bolt Insurance (P&C referrals). These are disclosed to clients in writing before any introduction is made. Your firm's referral arrangement, if applicable, is documented separately.

InheritGuard disclosure: InheritGuard is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice directly. When legal advice is needed, they refer clients to licensed attorneys.

Schedule an intro call

20 minutes to see if the fit makes sense for your clients

Book at apbfinancialarchitect.com/coi