Independent Registered Investment Advisers are professional independent advisory firms that provide personalized financial advice to their clients, many of whom have complex financial needs. Because these advisors are independent, they are not tied to any particular family of funds or investment products. As fiduciaries, they are held to the highest standard of care—and are required to act in the best interests of their clients at all times. They are registered with either the Securities and Exchange Commission or state securities regulators.
What does being a Fiduciary mean?
A fiduciary is a professional entrusted to manage assets or wealth while putting the client’s best interests first at all times. Financial advisors who follow a fiduciary standard must disclose any conflict, or potential conflict, to their clients prior to and throughout the advisory engagement. Fiduciaries will also adopt a code of ethics and will fully disclose how they are compensated.
What separates us from other financial advisors?
As an independent Registered Investment Advisor, we are free to provide advice that fits each client’s specific situation and needs without concerning ourselves with the agenda of a parent company. Our services range from financial planning to investment management to estate planning—we can meet a wide range of needs under one roof. Finally, we are oriented toward providing each client the attention and service they deserve. We treat our clients as individuals and not numbers.
Where is my money kept?
In our advisory role, we never take custody of client assets. We utilize Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as the custodian of client accounts and as our primary broker. Our relationship with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. is an arm’s length transaction with no exchange of funds between Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and us. When your account is established with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., you provide us with limited trading authorization on your account. This authority allows us to process trades directly in client accounts.
How do I begin?
Typically, we only need a copy of your most recent account statement and your signatures on a few forms. We will take care of setting up your new account and transferring your assets.