Our Pledge

We promise to provide a personal, proactive and comprehensive approach to you, the client, with expert guidance and peace of mind as we help you navigate the big transitions in your life, including college planning. Our mission is to lead you and your family towards the achievement of your goals, both personally and financially. We believe we can combine the expert resources and services of a large company with the personal, custom care of a small company. In this time of increasing economic uncertainity, collaboration with a financial advisor is a smart way to achieve personal and financial wellbeing.

 

Our Company

Ted Buchan & Company is an independent, fee-only financial planning and Registered Investment Advisory firm specializing in college planning. Unlike other firms, we do not serve the interests of a brokerage firm, bank, or insurance company. Instead, we serve the interests of our individual clients, managing their accounts with the same care and diligence as if they were our own.

Designing and executing the most effective financial strategies and college plans takes time and experience. Our clients are busy and rely on us to manage the complex details of their financial lives, so they can achieve their goals and focus on what matters most to them. Ted Buchan & Company’s definition of success would allow a family to retire earlier with a higher standard of living than they ever thought possible prior to meeting us. Because of our relationship, the family’s financial future is secure and their children have graduated from an incredible college and have begun careers of their own!

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Ted Buchan

President, Director of Financial Planning, Financial Advisor

I began my career in the financial services business in 1994, and have experience working at a large wire house firm, a big private bank and now leading my own registered investment advisory firm. I created my own company when I became frustrated with the corporate culture of management continually wanting me to take on more and more clients which led to spending less and less time with each individual.

When I founded Ted Buchan & Company in 2006, my goal was for each advisor to have a client load that would allow the advisor to meet with each client at least 3 times a year. I believe this is the only effective way we can deliver on our promise to provide a personal, proactive and comprehensive approach to the client with expert guidance and peace of mind. Fast forward a decade to the present, in spite of significant growth of our firm, we still believe in and practice this same goal.

I went to college in Atlanta and am a business graduate of Emory University. I have accumulated many professional credentials over the years and am a Certified Financial Planner, (CFP®).

Our firm has evolved into one of the most recognized college planning businesses in San Diego, and we are frequently asked as subject matter experts, to speak on the subject within the community. We haven spoken at the Poway Unified School District’s College Fair, Del Norte and Westview High Schools. We also were asked to speak to employees in the private sector on college and retirement planning at Qualcomm and Ernst & Young.

I am married with three girls and two dogs.  My parents live in San Diego and my sister, Kim, is our Director of Operations. I am a voracious reader, a NFL football diehard fan and actively involved in coaching soccer and softball in the 4S Ranch community within Rancho Bernardo.

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Eric Schmid

Partner, Financial Planning, Investment Management, Operations & Compliance

I have made a career of solving unique and difficult problems. Prior to working in personal financial services, I spent over 15 years in the medical device industry developing new products and directing engineering and development groups. I have a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College and studied graduate Chemical Engineering at University of California, San Diego.

At the end of 2011, I decided to make the move to the world of personal financial planning. I brought my engineering, technical and analytical skills, along with my knack for developing solutions to unique and complex problems, to my current role at Ted Buchan & Company.

I am a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), CTEC Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP), Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation (AIF®) and serve as Chief Compliance Officer (CCO).

I live in Sabre Springs with my wife and three children. I love sports, the outdoors and just being active. I played baseball in college and continue to play basketball and ice hockey locally. I spend much of my spare time coaching my children’s youth soccer and baseball teams and when we are not out on the fields, you can find us camping or on a family road trip.

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Kim Miller

Director of Operations, Client Liaison

California sunshine, local family and an inspiring opportunity to help families fulfill their dreams, motivated me to partner with my brother Ted to create the first boutique style investment firm with an emphasis on college planning and prosperous retirement. With three gorgeous girls of my own, I understand the stress of wanting to provide a valuable college education for your children, as well as safeguard an attractive lifestyle for you and your spouse in your golden years.

I graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a double major in Communications and Business Administration. I have over ten years of Customer Service Instruction /Training expertise from United Airlines. I bring valuable skills and a background in designing and implementing work-flow systems and operations that deliver exceptional customer service and business efficiencies. My thoughtful and conscientious interpersonal style and keen attention to detail, help me create trusted long-standing relationships and a personal approach to business. I’m continually looking at ways to deliver the best experience and outcomes for our clients, as well as streamline our business processes and improve bottom line results. My goal is always to provide quality work and facilitate the ease of doing business with Ted Buchan and Company, whether it is opening new accounts, meeting with one of our advisors or attending one of our community workshops.

Whether it is work or play, I give 110%. I am passionate about being a good mother, wife, daughter and friend. I love to travel and dream of visiting the Wonders of the World. I’ve visited the Great Wall of China, The Taj Mahal and ticked 2 places off my Bucket List so far. I look forward to helping you navigate your life path!

Ashley-Conte

Ashley Conte

Paraplanner

I graduated from The University of Redlands with a degree in Business and Management in 2019. I began working at Ted Buchan & Company in August of 2015 as an Intern. I quickly learned that I loved the excitement of the finance business, the constant critical thinking and problem solving, and lastly being a part of a team whose number one goal is to help clients reach financial and personal success.

In 2017 I earned my certificates as a California Registered Tax Preparer (CRTP) and Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS™). I am currently working towards becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®).

When I am not working in the office I love spending time with my family and friends. I love to travel and have been fortunate enough to experience and learn about different cultures from all over the world. I also enjoy playing and watching various types of sports, going to the beach, and attending concerts with my friends.

I am inquisitive, eager to learn, and motivated to start contributing more to the Ted Buchan & Company team and cannot wait to see what my future holds.