Independent Financial Advisor

An independent financial advisor is a professional practitioner who functions in a conflict-free environment. Being an Independent practice, we are able to offer a wide range of financial advice to our clients, and are able to offer totally unbiased advice on all financial matters. We look at the criteria that will benefit our clients: service, the financial strength of the provider, charges and costs, past performance and so on.

The Benefits of Working With An Independent Financial Advisor

An independent financial advisor is a professional practitioner who functions in a conflict-free environment. The benefits of using the services of an independent financial advisor accrue to the investor throughout the relationship.

When designing the client's portfolio, an independent financial advisor is free to consider all of the thousands of investment alternatives available today. There are no artificial limitations on which investments they can use.

When building a client's portfolio, an independent financial advisor can weigh the merits of one investment against another, recommending investments only because they will contribute to the success of the client's investment strategy. There is no pressure, and no incentive, to sell proprietary products.

When assessing a client's portfolio's performance, an independent financial advisor can use objective criteria to gauge the performance of each investment. An expert financial advisor can help track the progress of the client's portfolio toward the financial goals they've set, and advise them when it is appropriate to make changes and when it's time to stay put.

We believe independence is essential.

What is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)?

Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, an Investment Advisor is "any person who, for compensation, engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, or who, for compensation and as part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analysis or reports concerning securities..."

A typical Investment Advisor:

• Registers either with their state or the SEC by filing Form ADV and meeting other requirements
• Evaluates client's needs and risk tolerance, and advises on appropriate investments
• Monitors client's portfolio. Regular performance reports may be provided
• May provide other wealth management services, such as retirement, trust, tax, charitable giving, estate and financial planning services
• Uses a broker/dealer and/or bank to custody assets and to settle and/or to execute trades

  This registration does not mean that the person is recommended by the SEC, it simply means that they are regulated by the SEC.

  In general an RIA with more than $25 million under management must register with the SEC, and those managing less than $25 million are registered at the state level.