Every federal career carries two parallel stories. One plays out in public, comprising years of mission-driven service that keeps the nation running. The second story unfolds quietly, with even seasoned federal professionals struggling to navigate a highly complex benefits system. Recent layoffs and early retirement pressures are adding to the difficult situation. Serving Those Who Serve (STWS) steps into the second story as a support system and guide for federal personnel as they make critical financial decisions. Its advisory services cover the full spectrum of financial and retirement planning to meet the distinct nature of the federal compensation and benefits structure. It provides clarity by simplifying the intricacies of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, as well as Social Security rules and the federal special retirement provisions. Founders Daniel Sipe and Thomas Lee, both accomplished financial advisors coming from families who served in the federal government, witnessed firsthand the knowledge and support gap in financial decision-making. They understood how a lack of access to information leads to a lack of understanding of the benefits, which hampers financial futures. “We realized if we couldn't see somebody looking out for the federal employees, it was up to us to do it,” says Sipe. The financial advisory firm stands apart with its emphasis on making benefits information accessible and coherent to federal workers. Driven by an education-first philosophy, it takes an industry-first pro bono approach to making complex benefits understandable and actionable. Its content ecosystem, freely accessible on its website, is one of the most comprehensive educational platforms available to the federal workforce. Safeguarding their financial futures is a team of expert advisors, all of whom are credentialed Certified Financial Planners (CFP) and Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultants (ChFEBC). A highlight is that four of its six credentialed advisors are women, including two who hold director-level positions—a rarity in the industry. The team is committed to protecting the financial dignity of those who have dedicated their lives to civil service.
Perfect Tax Relief champions one of the most underrated aspects in the tax resolution industry - customer centricity. A full-service tax firm that specializes in providing professional tax settlement solutions to businesses and individuals, Perfect Tax Relief understands the unique challenges faced by clients and finds the most efficient solution to settle their obligations.
“We come from the mortgage banking industry where the client is central to the process,” says Adi Harari, president. “We started with the idea of being a small company that would have an excellent reputation.”
This dedication has made it a frontrunner in successfully handling all types of tax disputes and controversial matters for clients, whether maintaining compliance or settling large tax debts with the IRS.
Formulating Strategies with Precision
Dealing with tax issues can feel like navigating a labyrinth – complex, stressful and potentially overwhelming for clients. Escalated collection efforts from the IRS puts additional pressure on businesses and individuals.
Perfect Tax Relief takes the time to strategize and examine different angles to help its clients. Factors like the length and amount of debt, client’s age, client’s health, temporary hardship, prospects of their income increase or decrease in the coming years are all considered.
The priority lies in achieving the best resolutions for their clients, and the focus is on thorough and effective methods. When needed, time is taken to allow for meticulous attention to detail. Setting a new standard for excellence, Perfect Tax Relief also embraces AI, along with other cutting-edge tools to improve its quality of work.
“We look at different methods, with an emphasis on what the client needs, to come up with the perfect solution,” says Harari.
A Resurgence from the Great Recession
Perfect Tax Relief is driven by Harari’s perseverance, determination and unwavering dedication to clients. With an illustrious career in the finance industry, he is no stranger to overcoming challenges. In 1989, he owned and managed a thriving mortgage lending firm in Beverly Hills, California that revolutionized the process for realtors.
The turning point came in 2008. During the Great Recession, the real estate market dropped, foreclosures skyrocketed, investors and homeowners lost residential properties, many mortgage banks failed, unemployment peaked, and the government was busy issuing stimulus packages. Yet, the IRS continued to do business as usual—collecting debts.
During this turmoil, Harari recognized the need for expert tax resolution services. In an industry that suffered from a bad reputation and less-than-stellar customer experience, he and his associates believed they could make a difference.
Founded as a tax resolution and accounting firm that specialized in helping clients navigate tax audits, settlements and preparations, Perfect Tax Relief soon became a ray of hope for those burdened by tax debt and financial challenges.
The world of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is often seen as a complex and impersonal process, one dominated by corporate jargon, lengthy negotiations, and large institutions. But what if there was a more human-centered way to navigate this challenging journey? Enter TREP Advisors, a firm that is redefining the M&A experience by prioritizing relationships, understanding the unique needs of business owners, and delivering custom solutions that transcend mere financial transactions. In a recent conversation with the team behind TREP Advisors, it became clear that their success isn’t just measured in dollar amounts or the number of transactions completed — it’s in the trust and long-term relationships they’ve built with their clients. With over $150 million in transactions completed in 2024 alone, the firm is proving that theres no substitute for truly understanding the people behind the businesses. Why Choose TREP Advisors? For many business owners, selling their company is one of the most significant decisions they’ll ever make. It’s not just about the money — it’s about the future of their employees, the legacy of their business, and their own personal freedom. This is where TREP Advisors excels. Unlike larger, impersonal M&A firms, TREP Advisors stands out by taking a deeply personalized, ownerfirst approach.
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Investment advisory and financial planning services offer personalized strategies for managing risk, optimizing returns, and navigating market fluctuations.
Strong financial advisory performance depends on ethical guidance, personalized strategies, and transparent communication, enabling advisors to deliver consistent value and long-term economic success for clients.
Building Confidence through Better Advice
Our cover story, Serving Those Who Serve, celebrates a firm dedicated exclusively to federal employees and retirees, an audience requiring highly specialized guidance through complex benefit systems, pension transitions, and post-retirement planning. The firm has earned distinction for its holistic advisory model, blending personalized financial planning with advanced digital tools that simplify decision-making and strengthen long-term financial security for the public sector workforce.
Throughout 2025, financial advisory firms navigated market volatility, inflationary pressure, and changing regulatory expectations with resilience. However, guided by firms like Serving Those Who Serve, the broader advisory market maintained steady expansion. The market has been powered by a growing demand for transparency, fiduciary integrity, and multi-generational wealth planning, all cornerstones of client trust.
Contributing their insights to this feature, Charles Levingston, EVP and Chief Financial Officer at EagleBank [NASDAQ: EGBN], and Alison McGuigan, Director of Enterprise Quality Assurance at Golden 1 Credit Union, discuss how innovation and trust must evolve in tandem to meet shifting client expectations.
As 2026 unfolds, advisory firms across the U.S. enter a clarifying phase defined by data-enhanced engagement, integrated planning ecosystems and values-driven advising, a future grounded in clarity, confidence, and care.