Investment Management

What You Need to Know About Fee-Only Investment Management

How is The Advisory Firm different?

The Advisory Firm, LLC is an independent Registered Investment Advisor with the State of Georgia. This means that :

» We act in the best interest of our clients at all times as a fee only fiduciary financial planner/investment advisor.
» We custody client accounts at TD Ameritrade Institutional and are assigned as a third party investment manager.
» We customize client portfolios based on their risk tolerance, financial plan recommendations and cashflow needs.

Philosophy:

Personalized strategies for each client, responsive to change and monitored weekly. Strategies are grounded in long term trends, but adjusted for today’s markets. Above all else, risks are managed in each portfolio.

Why use us as your Investment Advisor?

The idea behind our strategy is to build a solid foundation using a Core Group of Investments and then layering in additional asset classes that typically outperform at different periods in the economic cycle. By utilizing low cost Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s) we construct each client’s portfolio based on an agreed upon strategy that incorporates: risk tolerance, return objectives, financial plan goals and cashflow needs. (This is key, as we will not take on an investment client until there is a firm understanding through the planning analysis of how your money should be invested)

One of our key differences is that we take a proactive view in determining client investment strategy. We believe that clients hire an advisor to be proactive and to protect their money in difficult times just as well as helping them make decent returns during the good times. While we present an asset allocation model to each client and strive for that model, if the market dictates a change in strategy we will notify each client and then implement.

Working with The Advisory Firm as your Investment Advisor:

  • As an Investment Advisor we assist you in setting up an account with the custodian we use to hold client assets, TD Ameritrade Institutional. You the client then assign us as the Investment Manager over the account. We don’t ever physically have possession of your assets.
  • We meet with you to develop an Investment Model that meets your objectives and once you approve the strategy we begin the investing process.
  • TD Ameritrade holds your accounts and will send you monthly statements along with providing online access to view your accounts.
  • As a client of The Advisory Firm we also set you up a personal secure web portal to view your accounts and track all of your financial info.
  • We maintain an open dialogue with clients via weekly emails to let you know how your investments are doing, our views on the market and any changes that we may be recommending to the overall strategy.
  • We are not paid on commission for investing money, rather an annual fee that is debited by 1/4 of the amount at the end of each quarter from your account.

Fee Schedule:

  • 1% annual fee on the first $1,000,000 in assets ($50,000 to $1,000,000)
  • .8% annual fee on the next $1,000,000 in assets ($1,000,001 to $2,000,000)
  • .6% annual fee on remaining assets over $2,000,000
TD Ameritrade Logo

What is Financial Planning?

Financial Planning is about setting goals in life and developing a strategy for how to achieve. A Financial Plan looks at your complete financial picture and breaks down each area into:

» Your current situation
» Potential gaps, and
» Recommendations/strategies to reach your goals

Financial Planning

A Fee-Only Financial Planning firm assists you in answering life’s challenging financial questions

What we do:

Planning

fee-only Comprehensive Financial Planning relationships to design your strategy

Investments

custom investment strategies managed per your plan goals & risk tolerance

Tax

coordinated tax planning and preparation to work with your investments and financial plan

Alternatives

direct owned real estate, private equity, managed futures, venture capital & hedge funds

How we work:

It all starts with designing a comprehensive financial plan around your goals in life. This plan will be your roadmap to help guide you toward making the best financial decisions to accomplish these goals. From there we can help you implement your plan with customized investment and tax strategies. All on a fee-only basis with absolutely no product sales.

Financial Planning Fee Structure:

PRIME FINANCIAL PLAN

Early through Mid Career

Fees / Engagement

Cashflow analysis
Net worth Projections
Cash Reserve Strategies
Insurance Planning
Tax Review
Retirement Analysis
Investment Recommendations
College Savings Planning
Estate Plan Review

12 Months – initial consultation, strategy session, plan review and mid-term review

Fee 1% Household Income (min $1250 / max $3500)

RETIREMENT PLAN

Within 1 year of Retirement

Fees / Engagement

Detailed Cashflow needs analysis
Networth Projections throughout retirement
Insurance Planning
Tax Review
Retirement Income Distribution Plan
Retirement Scenarios + Social Security strategy
Investment Recommendations
Estate Planning Strategy

12 Months – initial consultation, strategy session, plan review and mid-term review

Fee 1% Household Income (min $1500 / max $5000)

Personal CFO Platform (Planning / Investments / Tax):

Are you looking for one advisor to act as your personal financial officer to handle your investments, planning and taxes? For clients that utilize our investment services we include financial planning and annual tax preparation services at no additional charge when the total value of household accounts reach $500,000. The tax preparation includes annual filing of an Individual or Joint federal/state tax return (1040) (W2 employees, sole proprietor or K1 partners included).

General Information:

  • The initial meeting is complimentary. You decide if hiring a financial planner if the right decision after our meeting.
  • You pick the type of planning based on your needs.
  • There is no payment until your plan is finished and you are satisfied that planning process met your expectations.
  • After the initial planning engagement clients are under no obligation to continue. While we like to form long term relationships it is always up to each client how they want to work together going forward. We offer hourly or discounted planning rates for future years.

Financial Strategist vs. Financial Product Salesperson… who’s advising you?

Fee-only financial advisors have a fiduciary responsibility to always act in your best interest. This means they represent you and your interests when giving you advice.

A fee-only financial advisor cannot receive compensation from a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, an insurance company, or from any other source than you.