About Blair A.Corkum

Blair is a Chartered Professional Accountant who has provided tax and financial advice for over 45 years.  He holds several professional designations, but is now working in a semi-retired capacity as an hourly based, fee for service Registered Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist, having sold his accounting business in 2013.   The majority of his work is with older adults giving advice or second opinions on tax planning, estate planning for preparation of Wills, RRSP planning, and investing (especially for protection of retirement savings).  He is also currently the only Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist in PEI,

Blair has written many articles and provided numerous seminars on tax and financial planning topics. He has been profiled in the national publications, quoted in a variety of publications, and appeared as a guest on CBC radio and television.   He also has his own web site (www.corkumfinancial.ca) with helpful financial information.

He spends much of his time volunteering, including teaching courses at PEI Seniors College including “Estates and Financial Planning for Older Adults” and “Saving and Investing for Older Adults.”  He is on the Board of PEI Community Legal Information Association,  on the Advocacy committee of the Greater Charlottetown Area Chamber of Commerce and recently completed his role as a community member of the Implementation Council for the Promoting Wellness, Preserving Health Action Plan for Seniors, Near Seniors and Caregivers Living on PEI.

Helping a charity is very fulfilling to many people, whether by physically helping or by making financial contributions, even in small ways.  If you have questions about the ways donations can be made, and the related tax savings, such as by giving cash, by donating stock market shares, using life insurance or making a bequest in your Will, or other options, he is willing to help.

Typical Clients

The majority of Blair’s work is with older adults giving advice or second opinions on tax planning, estate planning for preparation of Wills, RRSP planning, and investing (especially for protection of retirement savings).  Typical questions include:

• Can I afford to retire?
• When should I draw my CPP or RRSP?
• Are my investments invested appropriately for risk and income purposes?
• Am I paying too much tax (e.g., missing any deductions)?
• Should I be concerned about the cost of long-term care?
• Will my children need to pay tax when I die
• What are the tax implications of giving my money, cottage, home, etc. to my children now?

And, of course, questions related to charity giving:

• What are the tax savings of giving money to charity now? in my Will? (typically 45% to 51%)
• Why / how is it better to donate my non-registered mutual funds or stock market shares to charity? (Save the taxes on the donation and also avoid tax on the gains)
• Can I donate my life insurance and how does that work?  (There are two ways)
• What other ways can I help a charity, especially if I have children to help too.