Logic Meets Finance: Why We Love Working With Engineers and IT Experts

I didn’t plan to build a practice where most of my clients are engineers and IT professionals—it just happened on its own. While I can’t pinpoint a single reason this has happened, I believe it’s a combination of factors. My content emphasizes analysis, I challenge conventional wisdom rather than accepting it at face value, and my fee structure appeals to those who value logic. 

I won’t lie—at first, working with engineers and IT professionals worried me a little. In many online financial advisor communities, engineers have a reputation for being difficult clients because they challenge assumptions and scrutinize the details. However, I soon realized that these traits weren’t obstacles; they were actually a perfect fit for how we already operate.

Our process is rooted in logic, numbers, and strategic thinking. We don’t rely on vague projections or conventional wisdom—we show the math, test different scenarios, and ask “why” a lot. 

I’ve noticed that engineers and IT professionals approach financial planning much like they approach their work—with a desire to understand the mechanics and optimize outcomes. They don’t just want advice; they want to understand why certain strategies work and how they can be adjusted based on evolving circumstances. This shared focus on analysis and precision has led to some of the most engaging and productive discussions I’ve had in my career.

Over time, I’ve realized how much I enjoy working with this group, and here are three common traits that most of them have:  

1️⃣ They’re realistic.
I often hear them say, “I know a lot, but I don’t know what I don’t know.” Is there a better sign of real intelligence than understanding our own limitations? It reminds me of Einstein’s famous words: “As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.” Many of these clients will come to us having already created their own spreadsheets with a retirement plan. But whether it is taxes, Social Security filing dates, or one of the other many areas that have to be coordinated, they realize their expertise is in building software or keeping a network online, not financial planning. 

2️⃣ They are smart.
The engineers and IT professionals we work with have a lifelong love of learning. By the time they get to us, they know more about investing and planning than the average person. Not only have they done their homework, but they expect the same from the people they work with. And their “BS meter” is usually highly tuned. For example, we use Excel for our retirement planning output. We know that at any given point, they may point to a random cell and say, “What’s this?” They expect a clear, detailed answer. If you don’t know and need to dig in a little more, you’d better tell them that instead of trying to BS your way through the explanation. 

I remember one client who wanted to get into the details of how our Monte Carlo calculations were performed. I had some basics to share with him, but in the process of finding out more, I learned A LOT about the variables that could impact a probability of success. Later, that same client told me that he’d built a Monte Carlo model in Excel that could run a million iterations. 😳I was very happy I didn’t try to use big words to make him think I knew more than I did. He would have never become a client. 

3️⃣ They want a navigator, not a pilot.
They’re not looking for someone to take the wheel and make decisions for them. They certainly aren’t going to take action just because someone tells them to. Instead, they want an expert guide to help them make informed decisions. They want data that is clear enough to understand what the probable outcome, and the ride on the way to the outcome, will be. Then, they can make a decision that resonates with them and have complete confidence in their chosen strategy. 

I started out worried that working with engineers and IT professionals might be challenging, but in the end, I realized that their mindset makes them some of the best clients to serve. They push us to be sharper, more precise, and always prepared. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you’re an engineer or IT professional who values data, analysis, and clear reasoning, I’d love to connect. Click the “start a conversation” button at the top of the page to schedule a call and see how we can help you build a retirement plan that’s grounded in numbers—not guesswork.