Designer DB Plus® | Planning Positioning Guide
CPA Planning Positioning Guide
Core position: This is an advanced tax and retirement planning analysis for high-income business owners — not a product.
When CPAs use it
When a client is earning too much to ignore tax planning, but still needs flexibility in how contributions are structured.
How CPAs frame it
“We’re evaluating whether a more advanced retirement and tax structure could be appropriate for your situation.”
Three-Layer Client-Safe Explanation
Layer 1 — Cash Balance
A cash balance component may be used to support larger deductible contributions.
Layer 2 — 401(k) + Profit Sharing
This layer supports the design and may help with employee cost control and flexibility.
Layer 3 — 401(h)
In certain cases, an advanced medical planning layer may be incorporated when appropriate.
Role Clarity
CPA role
The CPA remains the lead advisor and stays at the center of the client relationship.
Support role
Design, modeling support, implementation guidance, and case evaluation support the CPA process.
Many firms incorporate this type of analysis as part of their broader tax and retirement planning work for high-income business owners. In many cases, this naturally fits within existing advisory or planning services.
First Action
Most firms begin with one rough or hypothetical case to see how the process works before introducing it more broadly.
What happens next:
• 24–48 hour review
• Yes / No / Needs More Info response
• No obligation evaluation
• 24–48 hour review
• Yes / No / Needs More Info response
• No obligation evaluation
