James Fitts, CFP®

Managing Director, Business Owner Services, and Senior Family Wealth Advisor

LinkedIn
Concord, NH
Focus Areas

Business Transition Planning
Tax Planning
Multi-Generational Planning
Philanthropic Planning
Author

Client Specialty

Business Owner
Family Enterprise

Community

Mayhew Program, Trustee & Treasurer; Newfound Lake Region Association, Trustee & Treasurer; Lakes Region Conservation Trust, Investment Committee Chair; Education For All Children, Advisory Board Chair

Jim is an experienced investment professional who consults with families on inter-generational gifting strategies, family wealth education, governance, and philanthropy. He has extensive experience in assessing personal and business financial positions and advises family-owned businesses on ownership and management succession.

With over 42 years of experience in the financial services industry, Jim provides financial, retirement, estate and charitable gift planning; retirement plan distribution strategies; family business transition planning; investment counseling and portfolio design; education funding; tax planning; insurance assessment; and cash flow and debt management. Jim also provides family counseling and facilitates family meetings, an integral component of our work.

Jim was Managing Director & Chief Planning Officer at Harvest Capital Management prior to merging with The Colony Group in 2019. Previously, Jim owned Newfound Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser, and held senior positions in commercial banking for 15 years.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from Tufts University. In addition, he earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in 1999.

Jim is the incoming president of the Mayhew Program, where he serves as its treasurer and sits on the Executive, Investment, Finance and Audit committees. He is the treasurer of the Newfound Lake Region Association and chairs its Investment Committee. He also chairs the Investment Committee of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and serves as the chair of the advisory board of Education For All Children. Previously, he was the chair of the Rebuilding Together National Affiliate Council and a board member of New Hampshire Legal Assistance and the Legal Advice and Referral Center.

Outside of the office, Jim enjoys volunteering as a wildlife conservation photographer. Currently an equestrian, he is a former competitive triathlete and instrument-rated pilot. He is a proud father and grandfather.

Published Insights

Wealth Management
What’s Next? Setting Yourself Up For Success After Selling Your Business
May 13, 2021

As appeared in Family Wealth Report.  The Colony Group’s Jim Fitts, CFP®, Principal and Managing Director of Business Owner Services, spoke with Family Wealth Report about how business owners...

More
Family & Closely-Held Business Transition Planning
September 1, 2020

This white paper examines the process of transitioning the ownership and management of a family or closely-held business. It discusses pre-transition planning, considers the challenges of intergenerational ownership transfers versus third-party sales, and proposes a framework for meeting family and business goals throughout the...

More
In The News
How to Successfully Transition a Family-Owned Business, According to The Colony Group
May 26, 2020

“The sale of the business is not the end but, in fact, a beginning.” Marshall Rowe, James Fitts, and John Weeks celebrated the release of their new book with Worth Media's Juliet Scott-Croxford as they discussed how to successfully transition a family-owned business.

More
Wealth Management
Not an End but a Beginning: A Business Owner’s Guide to Retiring Well
May 20, 2020

As Appeared in Small Biz Daily Business owners by nature are problem solvers. Driven by a need to be in control of their destiny, they start businesses that solve...

More