Kevin Benson
CPA/PFS | Financial Advisor
Kevin Benson
Why I Became a Financial Advisor
I became a financial advisor to help individuals and families achieve their financial goals. My journey started while teaching personal finance at my church. Inspired by their need for guidance on budgeting, saving, and investing, I decided to pursue a career as a financial advisor. My goal is to empower clients to take control of their finances and achieve long-term financial health, knowing that I can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
MY FOCUS
Through my career as a CPA, I work with business owners to help them through the many stages of the business and personal life cycle. From helping them start a business with the best structure, employing optimal tax decisions along the way and eventually selling or passing the business to the next generation. It takes a team effort and approach with adjustments along the way as life and business are always changing.
About Kevin
Kevin joined Forum Financial in 2025 as a Financial Advisor. He currently serves as the managing partner of Smith Leonard PLLC.
Kevin has 30 years of experience in taxation. In addition to his professional work, he serves on a finance committee for his child’s school and is a member of the Nat Greene Kiwanis Club, which supports the health, education, and well-being of children in Guilford County, North Carolina.
Kevin is a Certified Public Accountant and a Personal Financial Specialist. He earned a master of science in accountancy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and a bachelor of science in business administration majoring in accounting from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
MY ARTICLES & INSIGHTS
A PERSONAL APPROACH
Tell Us About Your Financial Life and Aspirations
Your experience begins with an initial meeting to identify your financial vision for the future and risk tolerance levels. We review our investment philosophy and approach with you so that you fully understand each milestone of our process and how our relationship will evolve over time.
PREVIOUS 
Discuss Topics Crucial to Your Financial Success
Over the course of the next few meetings, the content and breadth of each meeting is defined by your personal needs. We can review your estate planning and risk management needs, discuss retirement accumulation or distribution planning, evaluate educational funding needs, review your tax situation, and go over any other items crucial to your financial success.
PREVIOUS Develop a Strategic Plan Unique to You
Once you select an allocation, we put together a strategic implementation plan that will coordinate investment of your portfolio between qualified (tax-advantaged) assets and non-qualified assets in order to maximize tax efficiency. The topics we address during our time with you vary depending on your unique needs and situation.
Putting Your Plan Into Action
We establish your Forum account based on the portfolio allocation we discussed and what we learned about your risk tolerance and financial goals. With your new Forum account now in place, you will have the opportunity to access your Forum Client Portal for the first time and connect with members of the Forum Client Service team.
Review Goals and Plans When Your Life Changes
You will receive reporting that will clearly show your performance net of all fees and compared to applicable market indexes. Additionally your assets are held at a reputable third-party custodian that furnishes independent monthly reports so you can feel confident about the safe handling of your money.
