Christopher Dixon is the co-founder and managing partner of Oxford Advisory Group. Together with Samuel Dixon, the founders built this financial services firm while focusing on tax-efficient retirement planning, estate strategies, and wealth management. Today, the firm helps business owners and families across the country with a personal connection that makes their financial journey feel understood. Christopher is focused on tax planning strategies. His years of study, including time at Harvard Business School, and his work as a speaker, author, and educator for advisors nationwide exhibit his passion for creating plans that aim to help families protect their future.
He is the co-host of Reinventing Retirement TV on ABC 10, NBC 8, and Fox 13. He is also the co-author of the best-selling Total Tax Free Investing. He has authored articles in Newsmax Finance and has also been featured in Yahoo! News, Nasdaq, and US News.
Oxford Advisory Group helps high-net-worth families and business owners make better-informed decisions about retirement and their future. Their growth has earned them recognition on the Inc. 5000 list, solidifying their place as a leader in the industry. In this interview, Christopher dives into their journey, their approach to planning, and what drives their work every day.
Christopher, Oxford Advisory Group has built a reputation in tax-focused estate planning for business owners. What core principles have driven your growth and success?
Christopher Dixon: It is something we realized was just missing in the industry. There are many types of professionals, but we kept coming across clients with these specific needs. Oxford was already focused [RH3] on working with tax strategies for retirees, and it just made sense to expand our knowledge, research, and skills to better help business owners and those planning their estate. We saw the need first, and our skills were a match to expand our offerings. Our tax strategies and planning were already driving our Total Tax-Free Investing book to be a best seller, so it only made sense to expand to those in need.
Many ultra-high-net-worth individuals face complex tax and estate challenges. How does your approach simplify these issues while preserving wealth for future generations?
Christopher Dixon: We lead with education. Whether we are giving complimentary classes, writing articles, books, or doing online courses, to simplify challenges, you have to start with education. From there, it is fairly easy for us to see where the needs are and help our clients better understand how they can avoid potential mistakes. It is not just one thing that causes estate plans to fail; it is when more than one thing happens at the same time that things go sideways. If your plan doesn’t address taxes, RMDs, market loss, probate, in addition to all of the other standard things involved in Estate Planning, then you may be putting yourself at higher risk of getting pushed off track.
Estate planning often involves balancing immediate needs with long-term legacy goals. How do you help clients navigate that balance effectively?
Christopher Dixon: As co-founder of Oxford Advisory Group, my approach to helping clients balance immediate needs with long-term legacy goals starts with a deep understanding of their individual circumstances. We begin by listening carefully to their current operational priorities—whether it’s cash flow, reinvestment, or growth—while also exploring their vision for their legacy, such as passing wealth to family or supporting charitable causes. Our team works to create tailored strategies that align these objectives, often integrating tools like trusts or succession plans that address both immediate liquidity needs and future wealth transfer. By fostering open communication and leveraging our suite of estate management tools, we aim to craft plans that support clients’ businesses today while keeping their long-term goals in sight.
From your experience, what are the most common mistakes business owners make in tax-focused estate planning, and how can they be avoided?
Christopher Dixon: One common mistake business owners make is overlooking the tax implications of their estate plans, particularly with changes like the elimination of the stretch IRA under the Secure Act. This can lead to significant tax burdens for beneficiaries. Another frequent issue is failing to update plans as tax laws or business circumstances evolve, which can disrupt intended outcomes. To avoid these, I encourage business owners to work closely with advisors who stay current on tax regulations and to review their plans regularly. At Oxford, we emphasize proactive education through seminars and personalized consultations, helping clients understand tools like Roth IRAs or charitable trusts to manage tax exposure effectively. Consulting with tax professionals is also key to tailoring strategies to individual needs.
Looking ahead, how do you see the landscape of wealth preservation and business-owner estate planning evolving over the next decade, and how is Oxford Advisory Group preparing for it?
Christopher Dixon: The landscape of wealth preservation and estate planning for business owners is likely to become more complex with evolving tax laws and economic shifts, especially as we approach potential regulatory changes tied to elections. At Oxford Advisory Group, we anticipate increased demand for tech-driven solutions and tax-efficient strategies to address these challenges. We’re preparing by continuously updating our custom suite of planning tools, which includes advanced software for estate management and tax calculations. Our partnerships with institutions like Florida State University and Advent Health allow us to expand our resources and community engagement. Additionally, we’re developing a new estate planning platform to streamline legacy planning, combining tax-focused strategies with technology to help clients adapt to future changes while maintaining flexibility.
Conclusion
Christopher and Samuel Dixon built the Oxford Advisory Group to make wealth planning less overwhelming and more meaningful for people. Every strategy is shaped by careful thought, years of experience, and a desire to provide clients with confidence about their future. Christopher’s writing, speaking, and media appearances bring valuable insight to thousands. Oxford Advisory Group has become a respected name across the financial planning world. Oxford’s recognition on the Inc. 5000 list, partnerships with universities and organizations, and growing influence in wealth management show how dedicated they are to their mission. For anyone seeking inspiration in leadership or a clear view of thoughtful financial planning, their journey offers lessons worth learning.
Inc. 5000 Fastest-growing private companies was awarded to Oxford in 2024 based on revenue for years 2021,2022 and 2023. Oxford has paid for promotional materials. Amazon’s #1 Best Seller status was reached on September 6th, 2024 for categories: Financial Risk Management, Personal Taxes, and Small Business Taxes, and the book remained a #1 New Release through September 25th of 2024.
