Frequently Asked Questions & Answers
Have a look at frequently asked questions & answers to understand more.
Only after we have a firm understanding of your needs and goals, compensation for our services can take on one of these four forms:
* Fee – Fee for the engagement. This could be a flat fee or an hourly fee.
* Fee arrangement – Management fee based upon your assets.
* Commission – if there were a particular product that fit your situation, we would be able to implement a product where the product company compensates us.
* Hybrid – Combination approach
Each implementation strategy has its benefits and its draw backs. The key catalyst for making a decision is based on your situation.
* Fee – Fee for the engagement. This could be a flat fee or an hourly fee.
* Fee arrangement – Management fee based upon your assets.
* Commission – if there were a particular product that fit your situation, we would be able to implement a product where the product company compensates us.
* Hybrid – Combination approach
Each implementation strategy has its benefits and its draw backs. The key catalyst for making a decision is based on your situation.
Financial Planning can be done on an “as needed” basis through various engagements that have a start and an end or on an ongoing basis through a financial planning retainer fee.
It depends.
* Some people seek financial planning when a material life changing event has occurred or is expected to occur. Such events could be: Marriage, retirement, college planning, a death in the family, divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child.
* Sometimes, people need financial planning guidance when they are evaluating the financial merits of changing jobs, buying or selling a business, or purchasing a new home.
* Financial Planning can be extended to business owners as they seek to evaluate their current or prospective retirement plans, executive compensation, succession planning, or employee education.
* Others choose to create a retainer arrangement to have various financial planning services for their situation on an ongoing basis.
* Some people seek financial planning when a material life changing event has occurred or is expected to occur. Such events could be: Marriage, retirement, college planning, a death in the family, divorce, or the birth or adoption of a child.
* Sometimes, people need financial planning guidance when they are evaluating the financial merits of changing jobs, buying or selling a business, or purchasing a new home.
* Financial Planning can be extended to business owners as they seek to evaluate their current or prospective retirement plans, executive compensation, succession planning, or employee education.
* Others choose to create a retainer arrangement to have various financial planning services for their situation on an ongoing basis.
Diversifying advisors may provide you insight to the different levels of service other investment professionals provide. However, this perceived diversification may result in inadequate financial planning due to a lack of knowledge of holdings elsewhere, as well as potentially unsuitable investment allocations due to the lack of knowledge of material changes to your account(s) with other institutions. The investor also may be able to save on overall investment related expenses by consolidating accounts and taking advantage of relative economies of scale.
A broker/dealer is a company that a registered investment professional is required to affiliate with in order to buy or sell investment products on behalf of investors. The broker/dealer holds responsibility for regulatory compliance and adherence to securities laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) delegates the supervision of financial advisors to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
An independent financial professional is not an employee of an investment or financial services firm – they are an independent business owner. They have the freedom to structure their business in a manner that best serves their clients. The independent financial professional utilizes the services of the broker/dealer to process investment business, provide services such as practice management and education.
Client: Now, more than ever, a client wants ‘‘peace of mind’’ when it comes to the safety of financial assets.
Financial Professional: A registered representative is an independent business owner who provides financial guidance to their clients and is typically paid a commission when you purchase a financial product. An Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) is an independent business owner who provides financial guidance to their clients and is generally paid a fee for either managing assets, giving advice, or both.
Investment Firm: A broker-dealer processes the commission business of registered representatives licensed with the firm and holds responsibility for regulatory compliance and adherence to securities laws. A Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) processes the fee-based business of IARs licensed with the firm and holds responsibility for regulatory compliance and adherence to securities laws.
Custodian: Pershing LLC, National Financial Services, LLC, and select firms provide the trade execution, clearing, custody, and other services for securities and related transactions.
Your Investments: Mutual funds, managed accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.
Financial Professional: A registered representative is an independent business owner who provides financial guidance to their clients and is typically paid a commission when you purchase a financial product. An Investment Advisor Representative (IAR) is an independent business owner who provides financial guidance to their clients and is generally paid a fee for either managing assets, giving advice, or both.
Investment Firm: A broker-dealer processes the commission business of registered representatives licensed with the firm and holds responsibility for regulatory compliance and adherence to securities laws. A Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) processes the fee-based business of IARs licensed with the firm and holds responsibility for regulatory compliance and adherence to securities laws.
Custodian: Pershing LLC, National Financial Services, LLC, and select firms provide the trade execution, clearing, custody, and other services for securities and related transactions.
Your Investments: Mutual funds, managed accounts, stocks, bonds, etc.