View Document Text
Altar Rock LLC
Firm Brochure
Form ADV Part 2
1
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Altar
Rock LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
(914) 246-1880 or by email at: archan@altarrockwealth.com.
The information in this brochure has NOT been approved nor verified by the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission nor by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Altar Rock LLC is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Altar Rock LLC’s CRD number is: 326868.
34 Harding Road
Lexington, MA 02420
(914) 246-1880
archan@altarrockwealth.com
https://www.altarrockwealth.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: December 8, 2025
2
Item 2: Summary of Material Changes
The material changes in this brochure from the last annual updating amendment in March
2025 of Altar Rock LLC are described below. Material changes relate to Altar Rock LLC’s
policies, practices or conflicts of interest.
● Altar Rock LLC has added Nicholas Goode and removed Isheka Agarwal. (Part 2B
supplement)
● Altar Rock LLC provides non-discretionary asset management. (Items 4 and 16).
● Altar Rock LLC’s Assets Under Management as of September 11, 2025 was updated
(Item 4E).
● Altar Rock LLC updated Items 4,5 & 8 to disclose Private Placement Life Insurance
(PPLI) and Private Placement Variable Annuities (PPVA) services (Items 4B & 5A).
● Altar Rock LLC is transitioning to registration with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission from its prior registration at the state level.
3
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 2: Summary of Material Changes
Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 4: Advisory Business
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Item 7: Types of Clients
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Item 15: Custody
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
Item 18: Financial Information
Item 19: Requirements for State Registered Advisers
Brochure Supplement: Archan K Basu, CFA®
Brochure Supplement: Andrew H Barnes
Brochure Supplement: Nicholas T Goode
Brochure Supplement: John T Kasameyer, CFA®
Brochure Supplement: Craig L Blackwell, CFA®
4
Item 4: Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Altar Rock LLC (hereinafter “Altar Rock” or “we” and its derivatives) is a Limited Liability
Company organized in the State of Delaware. The firm was formed in December 2020, and the
principal owners are Archan Kumar Basu, Andrew Harding Barnes, and Innova Capital Partners
III.
Altar Rock was created out of a belief that wealthy clients (hereinafter “clients” or “you” and its
derivatives) deserve more than you are currently getting. Our firm asserts that clients deserve
precision, clarity, and control over your most pressing financial choices. In our founders’ view,
this helps differentiate Altar Rock from almost every wealth manager.
While many professional investors seek “Investment Alpha” — commonly defined as excess
returns over a passive benchmark, this is widely recognized to be nearly impossible to generate
consistently in competitive markets and especially so on an after tax basis.
Altar Rock instead seeks “Structural Alpha” which we define as growing after-tax wealth by
harnessing persistent opportunities, embedded in the tax code or the client’s own situation, that
lie within a client’s grasp. Familiar examples of this are: harvesting taxable losses while letting
gains run; or utilizing certain trusts to efficiently navigate gift and estate taxes. Since structural
alpha is often larger and easier to achieve than investment alpha, it can serve as a more reliable
form of outperformance over a passive benchmark. Often structural alpha arises from deep
planning, and can be enhanced by aligning asset allocation, asset location and portfolio
construction to produce distinct outcomes for each client.
Put differently, Altar Rock views Investment Alpha as a “nice to have” tailwind whereas we view
Structural Alpha as the “must have” target for discerning clients.
Altar Rock builds upon a wealth allocation framework (Chhabra 2005) to help tailor structural
alpha toward your specific situation. More specifically, the client’s goals are classified as
Critical Needs (essential), Wealth Enhancement & Transfer (important) or Aspirational Growth
(ideal). The client’s wealth is allocated toward these three sets of goals in priority order, and a
portfolio approach is developed for each. The allocation is dynamic as goals may, for instance,
arrive within reach when markets perform better than expected — or conversely may grow more
distant when markets underperform.
These sets of client goals and the corresponding allocation interact with Altar Rock’s market
outlook in our proprietary Global Path Simulator (GPS). GPS aims to incorporate almost
everything that the Altar Rock team knows about the client’s situation, as well as about current
global macro-economic and market conditions. By stress-testing your goals and pre-
experiencing the tradeoffs among them, together we seek to unlock your full financial potential.
5
B. Types of Advisory Services
Portfolio Management Services
Altar Rock offers ongoing portfolio management services that seek to secure each client’s
goals:
● Wealth Strategy: we scope out your situation, purpose, goals and values; then we help
you to sort through key trade-offs to arrive at sound, durable choices.
● Market Outlook: we scan all major asset classes, sub-classes and sectors to quantify
secular, cyclical and tactical views.
● Asset Allocation and Location: we parse your holdings across a variety of buckets,
●
accounts, jurisdictions, beneficiaries, and asset classes.
Investment vehicle selection: we implement cheaply or curate the fittest (in our view)
external managers by subjecting each candidate to a thorough risk x-ray.
● Risk-aware Portfolio Construction: we precisely assemble holdings by trading as
needed. We also handle cash flows, tax harvests and other requests.
● Performance Reporting: we review your accounts’ investment performance against
market benchmarks and goals.
Altar Rock’s investment process culminates in deliberation by our Investment Committee,
whose members have over a century of combined market experience. The Committee applies
best practices of decision-making and carefully applies risk, liquidity, tax and fee budgets.
Underlying Altar Rock’s investment processes is a philosophy that life circumstances evolve, as
do economic and market opportunities; so the best-informed decisions require constant effort
and a framework that anticipates change. More specifically, Altar Rock believes that:
●
Initial conditions matter, as does horizon. Markets are cyclical - so identify where we are
and how far out you are looking.
● Alignment is critical. Investing isn’t just about the markets and returns, but also about
supporting your needs, goals, purpose and values.
● Rigorously triage opportunities. Markets are fairly efficient in the short-term. Reliably
beating public indexes requires rare skill or structural advantage.
● Cast a wide net and constantly reassess. No cookie-cutter models here; instead craft
bespoke portfolios from a wide sweep of strategies.
● Build a championship team. It is easy to assemble an all-star lineup; instead strive to mix
and balance unique talents into a cohesive portfolio.
● Trust where the research leads us. Too many investors don’t own enough of their best
ideas to move the needle.
Altar Rock requests discretionary authority from clients in order to select securities and execute
transactions without the delay or disruption required to consult on every transaction. Goals,
horizon, benchmarks, and risk capacity are documented in the Investment Policy Statement that
we develop with and for you. Where Altar Rock is not granted discretionary authority from
clients, we will obtain client consent prior to every transaction.
Altar Rock seeks to form investment decisions in accordance with the fiduciary duty we owe to
6
every client and without consideration of our own economic or other interests. To meet our
fiduciary obligation, we attempt to avoid, among other things, investment or trading practices
that systematically advantage certain clients over others. Rather, our policy is to allocate
investment opportunities and transactions among our clients on a fair and equitable basis over
time.
Private Placement Life Insurance and Private Placement Variable Annuities
Altar Rock offers Private Placement Life Insurance (“PPLI”) and Private Placement Variable
Annuities (“PPVA”) to qualified clients. PPLI and PPVA involve investing in both publicly traded
securities and private illiquid investments. Altar Rock may be engaged as the Separately
Managed Account Investment Manager for PPLI and/or PPVA and/or as the licensed registered
representative through our insurance affiliate, Altar Rock Insurance LLC. When recommending
PPLI or PPVA, Altar Rock often refers the Client to a third party to evaluate the individual Client’s
specific insurance-related needs and, when appropriate, create for the client a PPLI policy or
PPVA account. After the PPLI policy or PPVA account is created, Altar Rock may be hired by the
Advisor to the PPLI policy or PPVA account as Sub-Advisor to help supervise the assets of the
policy or account. If hired, Altar Rock will charge a management fee on those assets. Fees
regarding this service option can be found in Item 5 of this brochure.
Financial Planning
We believe that financial planning (or “wealth strategy”) must properly assess current market
conditions — the starting point of analysis — and moreover must examine relationships over
years and across asset classes to project a range of paths that your investments may take.
Such longer-term projections should be the building blocks of any true financial plan.
We recognize that developing trustworthy asset class projections can be difficult. Financial
firms often offer up assumptions resembling long-term historical averages that at times appear
overly rosy toward risk assets like equities.
In our view, a thorough approach should incorporate starting yields, valuation ratios, and the
state of the business cycle, as well as causal or statistical linkages among these. It’s important
to proceed with rigor, discipline, and humility. Altar Rock’s Global Path Simulator (GPS)
constructs 10,000 plausible future paths of asset class returns, but unlike a basic Monte Carlo
simulation, here each path is a plausible sequence of market outcomes starting in the present —
with realistic levels of momentum, reversal, and knock-on effects. Volatility and correlations for
each horizon are then computed off these paths rather than being hard coded.
To plan a journey, in the familiar analogy of a global positioning system (that other GPS), you
first need a digital roadmap. The starting point clearly matters. Short-term predictive accuracy
isn’t critical—we don’t obsess over nailing the market forecast during the next month or quarter.
Rather, we focus upon the likely range of market and cash-flow projections over years and
decades. Our aim is to project the general tendency of wealth outcomes at key percentiles such
as the median. All of this enables impactful strategic advice (“head northwest”), cyclical
guidance (“take this shortcut to avoid rush hour traffic”), richer client dialogue (“are we getting
7
close?”) and, in certain key moments, high-conviction risk bulletins (“this time is dangerously
different”).
Layered on top of GPS’ wide range of market projections — which to be emphatic are neither
“assumptions” nor “forecasts” — are the client’s situation as well as the choices you face. The
client’s situation comprises your balance sheet, income & cash flows, dependents, human
capital, risk capacity and personal tax rates. The choices we together face include asset
allocation and location — including complex trust and estate planning instruments. Putting all of
this together, we obtain visualizations of ranges of outcome under different choice scenarios,
illustrating key tradeoffs that must be resolved. By pre-experiencing those tradeoffs, and in
particular the downside outcomes that accompany each potential choice, clients may form
durable decisions. Those decisions are then captured in the client’s investment policy.
Selection of Investment Vehicles, Including Third-Party Advisers
There is almost no investment that Altar Rock won’t at least consider owning. That doesn’t
mean we are indifferent to what we own. Nor should it be taken to imply that we have equal
familiarity with every potential investment. What it does mean is that we strive to take an
expansive view of the available investment universe. We achieve this using a variety of research
tools and methods; for instance, GPS unpacks venture capital by modeling its underlying
linkages to equities and the economy.
Altar Rock client portfolios may utilize passive or active management, traditional or alternative
instruments, liquid or illiquid markets, in potentially every sector and asset sub-class,
domestically or abroad. We commonly hold mutual funds, exchange traded funds (ETFs),
separately managed accounts (SMAs) and limited partnership interests (LPs) as well as stocks
and bonds. Margin is used for leverage or shorting where appropriate, or simply to generate
liquidity without disturbing the client’s existing holdings.
When a third party adviser is involved — such as for a mutual fund, ETF, SMA or LP — an
additional management fee is typically deducted directly by that third party from the client’s
assets. Additional fees, such as incentive or carry fees, may apply as well. We are thoughtful
about such fees, which are in addition to the advisory fee that we ourselves levy. Before
selecting such third party advisers for clients, Altar Rock will verify that all recommended
advisers are properly licensed, notice-filed, or exempt in the states where Altar Rock is
recommending the adviser to clients.
Written Acknowledgement of Fiduciary Status
When we provide investment advice to you regarding a retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA) and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws
governing retirement accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your
interests, so we operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not
put our interest ahead of yours. Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
● Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give
prudent advice);
8
● Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give
loyal advice);
● Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
● Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best
interest;
● Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
● Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
To be clear, Altar Rock applies these standards to ALL accounts — not just retirement accounts
that ERISA covers.
C. Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
Altar Rock will tailor a portfolio for each individual client. This will include interview sessions to
get to know your specific situation, needs, goals, purpose and values. Utilizing our proprietary
financial planning framework (which we call GPS) helps us to allocate and invest accordingly.
Clients may impose restrictions to prevent our investing in certain securities or types of
securities on your behalf. If such restrictions prevent us from properly servicing your account, or
if such restrictions would require us to deviate from our standard suite of services, we reserve
the right to end the relationship.
D. Wrap Fee Programs
A wrap fee program is an investment program where the client pays one stated fee that
includes management fees and transaction costs. Altar Rock does not participate in wrap fee
programs.
E. Assets Under Management
Altar Rock has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts:
$ 0
Date Calculated:
September 11 2025
$ 140,546,878
9
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
A. Fee Schedule
Portfolio Management Fees
Annual Fees
Total Assets Under Management
$0 - $5,000,000
$5,000,001 - $30,000,000
$30,000,001 - $150,000,000
$150,000,001 - $500,000,000
$500,000,001 - $1,000,000,000
$1,000,000,001 – AND UP
1.00%
0.75%
0.50%
0.35%
0.25%
0.20%
The advisory fee is calculated using the combined asset value across all accounts that we
manage within a given client relationship on the last business day of the prior billing period.
These fees are generally negotiable and the final fee schedule will be memorialized in the
client’s advisory agreement. You may terminate our agreement without penalty for a full refund
of Altar Rock's fees within five business days of signing the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Thereafter, clients may terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement immediately upon written
notice; you will then obtain a pro-rated refund of all unearned fees.
Private Placement Life Insurance and Private Placement Variable Annuity Fees
Fees for PPLI and PPVA services are billed quarterly in arrears by the insurance company using
the insurance company’s valuation of the account on the last business day of the previous
quarter, including accrued interest. Fees are generally negotiable and are based on the total
managed assets as well as the complexity of advisory services provided to the client. The final
fee schedule will be contained in the Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”) which is signed by the
owner of the PPLI or PPVA contract. Investors are not obligated to purchase PPLI nor PPVA
using Altar Rock as the asset manager.
Craig Blackwell, an employee of Altar Rock, is also a registered representative of The Leaders
Group, Inc., a registered broker-dealer. With respect to PPLI or PPVA, Mr. Blackwell in his
capacity as a registered representative of The Leaders Group charges an annual fee up to 1.00%
of the premium invested in the PPLI or PPVA program, which amount is taken as a fee from the
cash accumulation within the PPLI or PPVA and billed quarterly in arrears. The registered
representative may also charge a placement fee up to 3% on the premium invested into the PPLI
or PPVA (“Placement Fee”). In the event the registered representative does not charge a
Placement Fee, Altar Rock will not charge a set-up fee. This arrangement presents a potential
conflict of interest as Altar Rock and the Altar Rock employee, as a registered representative of
The Leaders Group, have an incentive to recommend the PPLI or PPVA to clients. Clients are
under no obligation to use Altar Rock for access to these products.
10
Financial Planning Fees
Fixed Fees
The maximum fixed rate for creating a client financial plan is $1,000,000. This fee is generally
negotiable.
Clients may terminate the agreement without penalty, for a full refund of Altar Rock’s fees,
within five business days of signing the Financial Planning Agreement. Thereafter, clients may
terminate the Financial Planning Agreement generally upon written notice.
Other Advisers’ Fees
Altar Rock may utilize third-party investment advisers (for mutual funds, ETFs, SMAs, LPs and
other private placements) to implement your investment portfolio. These vehicles charge
management fees — and potential incentive, carry or other fees — in addition to Altar Rock’s
advisory fee. Those fees may be negotiable but will not exceed any limit imposed by any
regulatory agency. The notice of termination requirement and payment of fees for third-party
investment advisers will depend on the specific third-party adviser selected. Accordingly, the
Client should review both the fees charged by the third-party investment managers and the fees
charged by Altar Rock to fully understand the total fees to be paid.
B. Payment of Fees
Payment of Portfolio Management Fees
Asset-based portfolio management fees are withdrawn directly from your accounts with client's
written authorization on a quarterly basis. Fees are paid in advance.
Payment of Financial Planning Fees
Financial planning fees are paid via check or equivalent.
Fixed financial planning fees are paid in arrears upon completion, which may be staged.
Payment of Other Advisers’ Fees
Fees are withdrawn directly from the client's accounts on a schedule determined by the third party
adviser.
C. Client Responsibility For Third Party Fees
Clients are responsible for the payment of all third-party fees (i.e. custodian fees, brokerage
11
fees, mutual fund fees, transaction fees, etc.). Those fees are separate and distinct from the
fees and expenses charged by Altar Rock and any third-party investment adviser. Please see
Item 12 of this brochure regarding broker-dealer/custodian.
D. Prepayment of Fees
Altar Rock collects certain fees in advance and certain fees in arrears, as indicated above.
Refunds for fees paid in advance but not yet earned will be refunded on a prorated basis and
returned within fourteen days to the client via check, or return deposit back into the client’s
account.
For all asset-based fees paid in advance, the fee refunded will be equal to the balance of the
fees collected in advance minus the daily rate (calculated by dividing the annual asset-based
fee rate by 365) times the number of days elapsed in the billing period up to and including the
day of termination.
E. Outside Compensation For the Sale of Securities to Clients
Neither Altar Rock nor its supervised persons accept ANY compensation for the sale of
investment products, including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of
mutual funds, other than in connection with PPLI and PPVA as outlined in Item 5A.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Altar Rock does not accept performance-based fees or other fees based on a share of capital
gains on or capital appreciation of your assets.
12
Item 7: Types of Clients
Altar Rock generally provides advisory services to High-Net-Worth Individuals — including all
account types typically used by and for them such as taxable, tax-deferred, trusts, and
philanthropy — as well as certain corporations.
Altar Rock focuses on clients who are "Accredited" and "Qualified" but may accept clients who do
not meet these qualifications.
A “Qualified Client” is:
(i) A natural person who, or a company that, immediately after entering into the contract has
at least $1,100,000 under the management of the investment adviser;
(ii) A natural person who, or a company that, the investment adviser entering into the
contract (and any person acting on his behalf) reasonably believes, immediately prior to
entering into the contract, either: (a) Has a net worth (together, in the case of a natural
person, with assets held jointly with a spouse) of more than $2,200,000 (excluding the value
of the client’s primary residence) at the time the contract is entered into; or (b) Is a qualified
purchaser as defined in section 2(a)(51)(AA) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(15U.S.C. 80a-2(51)(A)) at the time the contract is entered into; or
(iii) A natural person who immediately prior to entering into the contract is: (a) An executive
officer, director, trustee, general partner or person serving in similar capacity, of the
investment adviser; or (b) An employee of the investment adviser (other than an employee
performing solely clerical, secretarial or administrative functions with regard to the
investment adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties,
participates in the investment activities of such investment adviser, provided that such
employee has been performing such functions and duties for or on behalf of the investment
adviser, or substantially similar functions or duties for or on behalf of another company for at
least 12 months.
An "Accredited Client" is:
(i) A natural person who, or a company that at the time of entering into the contract has (a) at
least Net worth over $1 million, excluding primary residence (individually or with spouse or
partner). (b) Income over $200,000 (individually) or $300,000 (with spouse or partner) in each
of the prior two years, and reasonably expects the same for the current year.
(ii) A natural person who, or a company that at the time of entering into the contract has (a)
Investment professionals in good standing holding the general securities representative
license (Series 7), the investment adviser representative license (Series 65), or the private
securities offerings representative license (Series 82). (b) Directors, executive officers, or
general partners (GP) of the company selling the securities (or of a GP of that company) (c)
Any “family client” of a “family office” that qualifies as an accredited investor (d) For
investments in a private fund, “knowledgeable employees” of the fund.
13
There is NO account minimum for any of Altar Rock’s services.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of
Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Methods of Analysis
Altar Rock’s methods of analysis include Cyclical analysis, Fundamental analysis, Modern
portfolio theory and Quantitative analysis.
Cyclical analysis involves the analysis of business cycles to find favorable conditions for buying
and/or selling a security.
Fundamental analysis involves the analysis of financial statements, the general financial health
of companies, and/or the analysis of management or competitive advantages.
Modern portfolio theory is a theory of investment that attempts to maximize portfolio expected
return for a given amount of portfolio risk, or equivalently minimize risk for a given level of
expected return, each by carefully choosing the proportions of various asset.
Quantitative analysis deals with measurable factors as distinguished from qualitative
considerations such as the character of management or the state of employee morale, such as
the value of assets, the cost of capital, historical projections of sales, and so on.
Investment Strategies
Altar Rock uses long term trading, short term trading, short sales, margin transactions and
options trading (including covered options, uncovered options, or spreading strategies).
Altar Rock may recommend unusually risky investments to clients. For example: We seek to
cast a wide net so there is no asset in which we will not consider investing on behalf of a client.
Examples of risky investments are private partnerships that purchase venture capital, private
equity, private credit, and private real estate instruments. Of course, we carefully research and
vet every such investment.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Material Risks Involved
Methods of Analysis
14
Cyclical analysis assumes that the markets react in cyclical patterns which, once identified, can
be leveraged to provide performance. The risks with this strategy are two-fold: 1) the markets
do not always repeat cyclical patterns; and 2) if too many investors begin to implement this
strategy, then it changes the very cycles these investors are trying to exploit.
Fundamental analysis concentrates on factors that determine a company’s value and expected
future earnings. This strategy would normally encourage equity purchases in stocks that are
undervalued or priced below their perceived value. The risk assumed is that the market will fail
to reach expectations of perceived value.
Modern portfolio theory assumes that investors are risk averse, meaning that given two
portfolios that offer the same expected return, investors will prefer the less risky one. Thus, an
investor will take on increased risk only if compensated by higher expected returns. Conversely,
an investor who wants higher expected returns must accept more risk. The exact trade-off will
be the same for all investors, but different investors will evaluate the trade-off differently based
on individual risk aversion characteristics. The implication is that a rational investor will not
invest in a portfolio if a second portfolio exists with a more favorable risk-expected return
profile – i.e., if for that level of risk an alternative portfolio exists which has better expected
returns.
Quantitative analysis Investment strategies using quantitative models may perform differently
than expected as a result of, among other things, the factors used in the models, the weight
placed on each factor, changes from the factors’ historical trends, and technical issues in the
construction and implementation of the models.
Investment Strategies
Altar Rock's use of short sales, margin transactions and options trading generally holds greater
risk, and clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any of those
strategies.
Long-term trading is designed to capture market rates of both return and risk. Due to its nature,
the long-term investment strategy can expose clients to various types of risk that will typically
surface at various intervals during the time the client owns the investments. These risks include
but are not limited to inflation (purchasing power) risk, interest rate risk, economic risk, market
risk, and political/regulatory risk.
Margin transactions use leverage that is borrowed from a brokerage firm as collateral. When
losses occur, the value of the margin account may fall below the brokerage firm’s threshold
thereby triggering a margin call. This may force the account holder to either allocate more funds
to the account or sell assets on a shorter time frame than desired.
Options transactions involve a contract to purchase a security at a given price, not necessarily
at market value, depending on the market. This strategy includes the risk that an option may
expire out of the money resulting in minimal or no value, as well as the possibility of leveraged
15
loss of trading capital due to the leveraged nature of stock options.
Short sales entail the possibility of infinite loss. An increase in the applicable securities’ prices
will result in a loss and, over time, the market has historically trended upward.
Short-term trading risks include liquidity, economic stability, and inflation, in addition to the
long-term trading risks listed above. Frequent trading can affect investment performance,
particularly through increased brokerage and other transaction costs and taxes.
Private Placement Life Insurance and Private Placement Variable Annuities: Private placement
life insurance (“PPLI”) and Private Placement Variable Annuity (“PPVA”) products are long-term
investments similar to variable life insurance products, except that purchasers are able to invest
policy premiums into various alternative investments. In addition to the risks associated with
variable annuities, PPLI and PPVA products also present the risk that, as unregistered securities
products, they are not subject to the same regulatory requirements and oversight as their
registered counterparts. PPLI and PPVA products are not suitable for all investors. An
investment in PPLI or PPVA products is subject to fluctuating values of the underlying
investment options and it entails risk, including the possible loss of principal. You should
consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of any PPLI or PPVA product
carefully before investing. Additional risk disclosures and other important information about
PPLI and PPVA products are contained in their offering memorandums, which clients are urged
to carefully review with their tax and legal advisors before investing.
Investing in securities involves a risk of loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
Risks of Specific Securities Utilized
Altar Rock's use of short sales, margin transactions and options trading generally holds greater
risk of capital loss. Clients should be aware that there is a material risk of loss using any
investment strategy. The investment types listed below (leaving aside Treasury Inflation
Protected/Inflation Linked Bonds) are not guaranteed or insured by the FDIC or any other
government agency.
Mutual Funds: Investing in mutual funds carries the risk of capital loss and thus you may lose
money investing in mutual funds. All mutual funds have costs that lower investment returns.
The funds can be of bond “fixed income” nature (lower risk) or stock “equity” nature.
Equity investment generally refers to buying shares of stocks in return for receiving a future
payment of dividends and/or capital gains if the value of the stock increases. The value of
equity securities may fluctuate in response to specific situations for each company, industry
conditions and the general economic environments.
Fixed income investments generally pay a return on a fixed schedule, though the amount of the
payments can vary. This type of investment can include corporate and government debt
securities, leveraged loans, high yield, and investment grade debt and structured products, such
as mortgage and other asset-backed securities, although individual bonds may be the best-
known type of fixed income security. In general, the fixed income market is volatile and fixed
16
income securities carry interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and
vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Fixed income
securities also carry inflation risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and credit and default risks for both
issuers and counterparties. The risk of default on treasury inflation protected/inflation linked
bonds is dependent upon the U.S. Treasury defaulting (extremely unlikely); however, they carry a
potential risk of losing share price value, albeit rather minimal. Risks of investing in foreign fixed
income securities also include the general risk of non-U.S. investing described below.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs): An ETF is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges,
similar to stocks. Investing in ETFs carries the risk of capital loss (sometimes up to a 100% loss
in the case of a stock holding bankruptcy). Areas of concern include the lack of transparency in
products and increasing complexity, conflicts of interest and the possibility of inadequate
regulatory compliance. Risks in investing in ETFs include trading risks, liquidity and shutdown
risks, risks associated with a change in authorized participants and non-participation of
authorized participants, risks that trading price differs from indicative net asset value (iNAV), or
price fluctuation and disassociation from the index being tracked. With regard to trading risks,
regular trading adds cost to your portfolio thus counteracting the low fees that are one of the
typical benefits of ETFs. Additionally, regular trading to beneficially “time the market” is difficult
to achieve. Even paid fund managers struggle to do this every year, with the majority failing to
beat the relevant indexes. With regard to liquidity and shutdown risks, not all ETFs have the
same level of liquidity. Since ETFs are at least as liquid as their underlying assets, trading
conditions are more accurately reflected in implied liquidity rather than the average daily volume
of the ETF itself. Implied liquidity is a measure of what can potentially be traded in ETFs based
on its underlying assets. ETFs are subject to market volatility and the risks of their underlying
securities, which may include the risks associated with investing in smaller companies, foreign
securities, commodities, and fixed income investments (as applicable). Foreign securities in
particular are subject to interest rate, currency exchange rate, economic, and political risks, all
of which are magnified in emerging markets. ETFs that target a small universe of securities,
such as a specific region or market sector, are generally subject to greater market volatility, as
well as to the specific risks associated with that sector, region, or other focus. ETFs that use
derivatives, leverage, or complex investment strategies are subject to additional risks. Precious
Metal ETFs (e.g., Gold, Silver, or Palladium Bullion backed “electronic shares” not physical
metal) specifically may be negatively impacted by several unique factors, among them (1) large
sales by the official sector which own a significant portion of aggregate world holdings in gold
and other precious metals, (2) a significant increase in hedging activities by producers of gold
or other precious metals, (3) a significant change in the attitude of speculators and investors.
The return of an index ETF is usually different from that of the index it tracks because of fees,
expenses, and tracking error. An ETF may trade at a premium or discount to its net asset value
(NAV) (or indicative value in the case of exchange-traded notes). The degree of liquidity can
vary significantly from one ETF to another and losses may be magnified if no liquid market
exists for the ETF’s shares when attempting to sell them. Each ETF has a unique risk profile,
detailed in its prospectus, offering circular, or similar material, which should be considered
carefully when making investment decisions.
Real estate funds (including REITs) face several kinds of risk that are inherent in the real estate
sector, which historically has experienced significant fluctuations and cycles in performance.
Revenues and cash flows may be adversely affected by: changes in local real estate market
conditions due to changes in national or local economic conditions or changes in local property
17
market characteristics; competition from other properties offering the same or similar services;
changes in interest rates and in the state of the debt and equity credit markets; the ongoing
need for capital improvements; changes in real estate tax rates and other operating expenses;
adverse changes in governmental rules and fiscal policies; adverse changes in zoning laws; the
impact of present or future environmental legislation and compliance with environmental laws.
Private placements carry a substantial risk as they are subject to less regulation than are
publicly offered securities, the market to resell these assets under applicable securities laws
may be illiquid, due to restrictions, and the liquidation may be taken at a substantial discount to
the underlying value or result in the entire loss of the value of such assets.
Venture capital funds invest in start-up companies at an early stage of development in the
interest of generating a return through an eventual realization event; the risk is high as a result
of the uncertainty involved at that stage of development.
Commodities are tangible assets used to manufacture and produce goods or services.
Commodity prices are affected by different risk factors, such as disease, storage capacity,
supply, demand, delivery constraints and weather. Because of those risk factors, even a well-
diversified investment in commodities can be uncertain.
Options are contracts to purchase a security at a given price, risking that an option may expire
out of the money resulting in minimal or no value. An uncovered option is a type of options
contract that is not backed by an offsetting position that would help mitigate risk. The risk for a
“naked” or uncovered put is not unlimited, whereas the potential loss for an uncovered call
option is limitless. Spread option positions entail buying and selling multiple options on the
same underlying security, but with different strike prices or expiration dates, which helps limit
the risk of other option trading strategies. Option transactions also involve risks including but
not limited to economic risk, market risk, sector risk, idiosyncratic risk, political/regulatory risk,
inflation (purchasing power) risk and interest rate risk.
Non-U.S. securities present certain risks such as currency fluctuation, political and economic
change, social unrest, changes in government regulation, differences in accounting and the
lesser degree of accurate public information available.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing in securities involves a risk of
loss that you, as a client, should be prepared to bear.
18
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Clients can obtain the disciplinary history, if any, of Altar Rock and its representatives from the
Massachusetts Securities Division (617-727-3548) upon request. Please also see below for a
discussion of applicable disciplinary history.
Criminal or Civil Actions
There are no criminal or civil actions to report.
Administrative Proceedings
There are no administrative proceedings to report.
Self-regulatory Organization (SRO) Proceedings
There are no self-regulatory organization proceedings to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Registration as a Broker/Dealer or Broker/Dealer Representative
Neither Altar Rock nor our representatives are registered as, nor have pending applications to
become, a broker/dealer or a representative of a broker/dealer.
Registration as a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool
Operator, or a Commodity Trading Advisor
Neither Altar Rock nor our representatives are registered as nor have pending applications to
become either a Futures Commission Merchant, Commodity Pool Operator, or Commodity
Trading Advisor or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
Registration Relationships Material to this Advisory Business and
Possible Conflicts of Interests
Both Archan Basu and Craig Blackwell are licensed insurance producers with Altar Rock
Insurance LLC. This activity creates a potential conflict of interest since there is an incentive to
recommend insurance products based on commissions or other benefits received from the
insurance company, rather than on the client’s needs. Additionally, the offer and sale of
insurance products by supervised persons of Altar Rock are not made in their capacity as a
fiduciary, and products are limited to only those offered by certain insurance providers. Altar
Rock addresses this conflict of interest by requiring its supervised persons to act in the best
19
interest of the client at all times, including when acting as an insurance agent. Altar Rock
periodically reviews recommendations by its supervised persons to assess whether they are
based on an objective evaluation of each client’s risk profile and investment objectives rather
than on the receipt of any commissions or other benefits. Altar Rock will disclose in advance
how it or its supervised persons are compensated and will disclose conflicts of interest
involving any advice or service provided. At no time will there be tying between business
practices and/or services (a condition where a client or prospective client would be required to
accept one product or service conditioned upon the selection of a second, distinctive tied
product or service). No client is ever under any obligation to purchase any insurance product.
Insurance products recommended by Altar Rock’s supervised persons may also be available
from other providers on more favorable terms, and clients can purchase insurance products
recommended through other unaffiliated insurance agencies.
Craig Blackwell is a registered representative of The Leaders Group, Inc. From time to time, he
will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these
services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest, as
commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment adviser.
Altar Rock always acts in the best interest of the client, including with respect to the sale of
commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients always have the right to decide whether or
not to utilize the services of any Altar Rock representative in such individual’s outside
capacities.
Altar Rock LLC has two wholly owned subsidiaries named Altar Rock Insurance LLC and Path
Matters LLC. Altar Rock Insurance LLC is a Massachusetts life insurance specialist agency that
focuses on Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) and Private Placement Variable Annuities
(PPVA). Path Matters LLC is a specialist provider of quantitative portfolio analytics to other
investment firms. From time to time, representatives of the firm may offer clients advice or
products from those activities and clients should be aware that these services may involve a
conflict of interest. Altar Rock always acts in the best interest of the client and clients always
have the right to decide whether or not to utilize the services of any Altar Rock representative in
such individual’s outside capacities.
Selection of Other Advisers or Managers and How This Adviser is
Compensated for Those Selections
Altar Rock may utilize third-party investment advisers. In addition to paying the advisory fee, the
Clients will pay Altar Rock our agreed fee in addition to the fee for the advisers to which it
directs those clients. The fees will not exceed any limit imposed by any regulatory agency. Altar
Rock will always act in the best interests of the client, including when determining which third
party investment adviser to recommend to clients. Altar Rock will ensure that all recommended
advisers are exempt, licensed or notice filed in the states in which Altar Rock is recommending
them to clients.
20
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
Altar Rock has a written Code of Ethics that covers the following areas: Prohibited Purchases
and Sales, Insider Trading, Personal Securities Transactions, Exempted Transactions, Prohibited
Activities, Conflicts of Interest, Gifts and Entertainment, Confidentiality, Service on a Board of
Directors, Compliance Procedures, Compliance with Laws and Regulations, Procedures and
Reporting, Certification of Compliance, Reporting Violations, Compliance Officer Duties, Training
and Education, Recordkeeping, Annual Review, and Sanctions. Altar Rock's Code of Ethics is
available free upon request to any client or prospective client.
Recommendations Involving Material Financial Interests
Altar Rock does NOT recommend that clients buy or sell ANY security in which a related person
to Altar Rock nor Altar Rock has a material financial interest.
Investing Personal Money in the Same Securities as Clients
From time to time, representatives of Altar Rock may buy or sell securities for themselves that
they also recommend to clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of Altar
Rock to buy or sell the same securities before or after recommending the same securities to
clients resulting in representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients.
Such transactions may create a conflict of interest. Altar Rock will always document any
transactions that could be construed as conflicts of interest and will never engage in trading
that operates to the client’s disadvantage when similar securities are being bought or sold.
Trading Securities At/Around the Same Time as Clients’ Securities
From time to time, representatives of Altar Rock may buy or sell securities for themselves at or
around the same time as clients. This may provide an opportunity for representatives of Altar
Rock to buy or sell securities before or after recommending securities to clients resulting in
representatives profiting off the recommendations they provide to clients. Such transactions
may create a conflict of interest; however, Altar Rock will never engage in trading that operates
to the client’s disadvantage if representatives of Altar Rock buy or sell securities at or around
the same time as clients.
21
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker/Dealers
Custodians/broker-dealers will be recommended based on Altar Rock’s duty to seek “best
execution,” which is the obligation to seek execution of securities transactions for a client on
the most favorable terms for the client under the circumstances. Clients will not necessarily pay
the lowest commission or commission equivalent, and Altar Rock may also consider the market
expertise and research access provided by the broker-dealer/custodian, including but not
limited to access to written research, oral communication with analysts, admittance to research
conferences and other resources provided by the brokers that may aid in Altar Rock's research
efforts. Altar Rock will never charge a premium or commission on transactions, beyond the
actual cost imposed by the broker-dealer/custodian.
Altar Rock will require clients to use Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC or Charles Schwab & Co.,
Inc. Advisor Services.
Research and Other Soft-Dollar Benefits
While Altar Rock has no formal soft dollars program in which soft dollars are used to pay for
third party services, Altar Rock may receive research, products, or other services from
custodians and broker-dealers in connection with client securities transactions (“soft dollar
benefits”). Altar Rock may enter into soft-dollar arrangements consistent with (and not outside
of) the safe harbor contained in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. There can be no assurance that any particular client will benefit from soft dollar
research, whether or not the client’s transactions paid for it, and Altar Rock does not seek to
allocate benefits to client accounts proportional to any soft dollar credits generated by the
accounts. Altar Rock benefits by not having to produce or pay for the research, products or
services, and Altar Rock will have an incentive to recommend a broker-dealer based on receiving
research or services. Clients should be aware that Altar Rock’s acceptance of soft dollar
benefits may result in higher commissions charged to the client.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Altar Rock receives no referrals from a broker-dealer nor third party in exchange for using that
broker-dealer or third party.
Clients Directing Which Broker/Dealer/Custodian to Use
Altar Rock will require clients to use a specific broker-dealer to execute transactions. Not all
advisers require clients to use a particular broker-dealer.
Aggregating (Block) Trading for Multiple Client Accounts
Altar Rock does not aggregate or bunch the securities to be purchased or sold for multiple
22
clients. This may result in less favorable prices, particularly for illiquid securities or during
volatile market conditions.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those
Reviews
All client accounts for Altar Rock's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis are reviewed
at least quarterly by Archan K Basu, member, Chief Investment officer (CIO) & Chief Compliance
Officer (CCO), with regard to clients’ respective investment policies. All accounts at Altar Rock
are assigned to this reviewer.
All financial planning accounts are reviewed upon financial plan creation and plan delivery by
Archan K Basu, member, CIO & CCO. Financial planning clients are provided a one-time financial
plan concerning their financial situation. After the presentation of the plan, there are no further
reports. Clients may request additional plans or reports for a fee.
Factors That Will Trigger a Non-Periodic Review of Client Accounts
Reviews may be triggered by material market, economic or political events, or by changes in
clients’ financial situation such as retirement, change of employment, physical move,
inheritance or liquid exit.
With respect to financial plans, Altar Rock’s services will generally conclude upon delivery of the
financial plan.
Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each client of Altar Rock's advisory services provided on an ongoing basis will receive a
quarterly report detailing the client’s account, including assets held, asset value, and calculation
of fees. This written report will come from the custodian. Altar Rock will also provide at least
quarterly a separate written statement to the client.
Each financial planning client will receive the financial plan upon completion.
23
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to
Clients (Includes Sales Awards or Other Prizes)
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services provides Altar Rock with access to Charles Schwab
& Co., Inc. Advisor Services’ institutional trading and custody services, which are typically not
available to Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services retail investors. These services
generally are available to independent investment advisers on an unsolicited basis, at no charge
to them so long as a total of at least $10 million of the adviser’s clients’ assets are maintained
in accounts at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor
Services includes brokerage services that are related to the execution of securities transactions,
custody, research, including that in the form of advice, analyses and reports, and access to
mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise generally available only to institutional
investors or would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment. For Altar Rock
client accounts maintained in its custody, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services generally
does not charge separately for custody services but is compensated by account holders
through commissions or other transaction-related or asset-based fees for securities trades that
are executed through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services or that settle into Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services accounts.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services also makes available to Altar Rock other products
and services that benefit Altar Rock but may not benefit its clients’ accounts. These benefits
may include national, regional or Altar Rock specific educational events organized and/or
sponsored by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services. Other potential benefits may include
occasional business entertainment of personnel of Altar Rock by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Advisor Services personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting events, including golf
tournaments, and other forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany educational
opportunities. Other of these products and services assist Altar Rock in managing and
administering clients’ accounts. These include software and other technology (and related
technological training) that provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations
and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders
for multiple client accounts, if applicable), provide research, pricing information and other
market data, facilitate payment of Altar Rock's fees from its clients’ accounts (if applicable), and
assist with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many
of these services generally may be used to service all or some substantial number of Altar
Rock's accounts. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services also makes available to Altar
Rock other services intended to help Altar Rock manage and further develop its business
enterprise. These services may include professional compliance, legal and business consulting,
publications and conferences on practice management, information technology, business
succession, regulatory compliance, employee benefits providers, and human capital
consultants, insurance and marketing. In addition, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services
may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services rendered to Altar
Rock by independent third parties. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services may discount or
waive fees it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees
of a third-party providing these services to Altar Rock. Altar Rock is independently owned and
24
operated and not affiliated with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Advisor Services.
Compensation to Non – Advisory Personnel for Client Referrals
Altar Rock does not directly or indirectly compensate any person who is not advisory personnel
for client referrals.
Item 15: Custody
When advisory fees are deducted directly from client accounts at client's custodian, Altar Rock
will be deemed to have limited custody of client's assets and must have written authorization
from the client to do so. Clients will receive all account statements and billing invoices that are
required in each jurisdiction, and they should carefully review those statements for accuracy.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Altar Rock provides discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory services to clients.
The Investment Advisory Agreement established with each client sets forth the discretionary
authority for trading. Where investment discretion has been granted, Altar Rock generally
manages the client’s account and makes investment decisions without consultation with the
client as to when the securities are to be bought or sold for the account, the total amount of the
securities to be bought/sold, what securities to buy or sell, or the price per share. In some
instances, Altar Rock’s discretionary authority in making these determinations may be limited by
conditions previously imposed by a client through our agreement or by specific written
instructions.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities (Proxy Voting)
Altar Rock will not ask for, nor accept voting authority for client securities. Clients will receive
proxies directly from the issuer of the security or the custodian. Clients should direct all proxy
questions to the issuer of the security.
25
Item 18: Financial Information
Balance Sheet
Altar Rock neither requires nor solicits prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance, and therefore is not required to include a balance sheet with this
brochure.
Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet
Contractual Commitments to Clients
Neither Altar Rock nor its management has any financial condition that is likely to reasonably
impair Altar Rock’s ability to meet contractual commitments to clients.
Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Ten Years
Altar Rock has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the last ten years.
26
Brochure Supplement: Archan K Basu, CFA®
This brochure supplement provides information about Archan Kumar Basu that supplements
the Altar Rock LLC brochure. Additional information about Archan Kumar Basu is also available
on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
If you did not receive Altar Rock LLC’s brochure or have any questions about the contents of this
supplement, please contact us at (914) 246-1880 or by email at: archan@altarrockwealth.com.
34 Harding Road
Lexington, MA 02420
(914) 246-1880
archan@altarrockwealth.com
https://www.altarrockwealth.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: December 8, 2025
27
Archan Kumar Basu, CFAⓇ
Personal CRD Number: 4858411
Investment Adviser Representative
Phone: (914) 246-1880
Email: archan@altarrockwealth.com
Professional Certifications
CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter is a globally respected, graduate-level investment
credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute - the largest global association of
investment professionals.
There are currently more than 90,000 CFA charterholders working in 134 countries. To earn the
CFA charter, candidates must: 1) pass three sequential, six-hour examinations; 2) have at least
four years of qualified professional investment experience; 3) join CFA Institute as members;
and 4) commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, their adherence to the CFA Institute Code of
Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
High Ethical Standards
The CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, enforced through an
active professional conduct program, require CFA charterholders to:
● Place their clients' interests ahead of their own
● Maintain independence and objectivity
● Act with integrity
● Maintain and improve their professional competence
● Disclose conflicts of interest and legal matters
Global Recognition
Passing the three CFA exams is a difficult feat that requires extensive study (successful
candidates report spending an average of 300 hours of study per level). Earning the CFA charter
demonstrates mastery of many of the advanced skills needed for investment analysis and
decision making in today's quickly evolving global financial industry. As a result, employers and
clients are increasingly seeking CFA charterholders-often making the charter a prerequisite for
employment.
Additionally, regulatory bodies in 22 countries and territories recognize the CFA charter as a
proxy for meeting certain licensing requirements, and more than 125 colleges and universities
around the world have incorporated a majority of the CFA Program curriculum into their own
finance courses.
28
Comprehensive and Current Knowledge
The CFA Program curriculum provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge for
investment decision making and is firmly grounded in the knowledge and skills used every day
in the investment profession. The three levels of the CFA Program test a proficiency with a wide
range of fundamental and advanced investment topics, including ethical and professional
standards, fixed-income and equity analysis, alternative and derivative investments, economics,
financial reporting standards, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The CFA Program
curriculum is updated every year by experts from around the world to ensure that candidates
learn the most relevant and practical new tools, ideas, and investment and wealth management
skills to reflect the dynamic and complex nature of the profession.
To learn more about the CFA charter, visit www.cfainstitute.org.
Educational Background and Business Experience
Archan Kumar Basu was born in 1971 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied
Mathematics from Harvard University in 1993. He graduated with an MBA in Financial
Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management in
1999. He holds a CFA® designation.
At Altar Rock Insurance LLC, Archan is a Licensed Insurance producer as of June 2025.
At Altar Rock LLC, Archan is the Co-Managing Partner as of May 2023 and Chief Investment
Officer as of June 2023. He is also an Investment Adviser Representative at Altar Rock as of
October 2023.
Prior to Altar Rock LLC, Archan worked as Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Cresset Asset
Management from July 2021 to November 2022, and as Senior Vice President at Fidelity
Institutional Asset Management from June 2013 to December 2019. Previously he was
Executive Director at J.P. Morgan from June 2011 to June 2013; Vice President at Alliance
Bernstein from August 2004 to May 2011; co-founder, president and chairman of LifeHarbor Inc.
from March 2000 to July 2004; associate at Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co from July 1999
to February 2000; and researcher at Barra Inc. (now MSCI Barra) from July 1993 to February
1996.
Disciplinary Information
None
Other Business Activities
Member of the Arts Advisory Council, Laxmi Mittal South Asian Institute, Harvard University
Charter Member, TiE Boston
Board Member, MIT South Asian Alumni Association
Member of Finance Committee, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
29
Member of Schools Committee, Indian Americans of Lexington
Volunteer, Well Being and Equity in the World Institute
Volunteer in South Asian and Islamic Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Town Meeting Member, Precinct 7, and Chairperson of Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee II
Archan Kumar Basu is a licensed insurance producer with Altar Rock Insurance LLC. This
activity creates a potential conflict of interest since there is an incentive to recommend
insurance products based on commissions or other benefits received from the insurance
company, rather than on the client’s needs. Additionally, the offer and sale of insurance
products by supervised persons of Altar Rock are not made in their capacity as a fiduciary, and
products are limited to only those offered by certain insurance providers. Altar Rock addresses
this conflict of interest by requiring its supervised persons to act in the best interest of the client
at ALL times, including when acting as an insurance agent.
Additional Compensation
None
Supervision
As the Chief Compliance Officer of Altar Rock LLC, Archan Kumar Basu supervises all activities
of the firm. Archan Kumar Basu adheres to applicable regulatory requirements, together with all
policies and procedures outlined in the firm’s code of ethics and compliance manual.
30
Brochure Supplement: Andrew H Barnes
This brochure supplement provides information about Andrew Harding Barnes that
supplements the Altar Rock LLC brochure. Additional information about Andrew Harding Barnes
is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
If you did not receive Altar Rock LLC’s brochure or have any questions about the contents of this
supplement, please contact us at (914) 246-1880 or by email at: archan@altarrockwealth.com.
34 Harding Road
Lexington, MA 02420
(917) 226-0565
andrew@altarrockwealth.com
https://www.altarrockwealth.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: December 8, 2025
31
Andrew Harding Barnes
Personal CRD Number: 3170730
Investment Adviser Representative
Phone: (917) 226-0565
Email: andrew@altarrockwealth.com
Educational Background and Business Experience
Andrew Harding Barnes was born in 1972 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass
Communications from University of California at Berkeley in 1999. He graduated with an MBA in
Finance and Accounting from New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business in 2003.
At Altar Rock LLC, Andrew is the Chief Client Officer as of June 2023. He is also an Investment
Adviser Representative at Altar Rock as of December 2023.
Prior to Altar Rock LLC, Andrew worked as Vice President at Brown Brothers Harriman from
March 2012 to November 2014; as Vice President at J.P. Morgan Private Wealth Management
from September 2008 to July 2010; and as Vice President at Bernstein Global Wealth
Management from August 2004 to August 2008.
Disciplinary Information
None
Other Business Activities
None
Additional Compensation
None
Supervision
Andrew Harding Barnes is supervised by Archan K Basu, the firm's Chief Compliance Officer.
Archan K Basu is responsible for ensuring that Andrew Harding Barnes adheres to all required
regulations regarding the activities of an Investment Adviser Representative, as well as all
policies and procedures outlined in the firm’s Code of Ethics and compliance manual. The
phone number for Archan K Basu is (914) 246-1880.
32
Brochure Supplement: Nicholas T Goode
This brochure supplement provides information about Nicholas Thomas Goode that
supplements the Altar Rock LLC brochure. Additional information about Nicholas Thomas
Goode is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
If you did not receive Altar Rock LLC’s brochure or have any questions about the contents of this
supplement, please contact us at (914) 246-1880 or by email at: archan@altarrockwealth.com.
12044 Macintosh Drive
Fenton, MI 48430
(248) 515-4933
nick@altarrockwealth.com
https://www.altarrockwealth.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: December 8, 2025
33
Nicholas Thomas Goode
Personal CRD Number: 4661126
Investment Adviser Representative
Phone: (248) 515-4933
Email: nick@altarrockwealth.com
Educational Background and Business Experience
Nicholas Thomas Goode was born in 1977 and graduated with a Bachelor of Business
Administration Finance from Walsh College in 2008.
At Altar Rock LLC, Nick is a partner and Wealth Advisor as of September 2025. He is also an
Investment Adviser Representative at Altar Rock as of September 2025.
Prior to Altar Rock LLC, Andrew worked as Registered Representative at LPL Financial LLC from
March 2014 to August 2025; and as Investment Advisor at Vantage Point Planning, LLC from
January 2015 to August 2025.
Disciplinary Information
None
Other Business Activities
Nick serves as President of Renewable Woods LLC, a passive investment entity structured for
tax purposes. He contributes minimal time (1%) with minimal operational involvement.
Additional Compensation
None
Supervision
Nicholas Thomas Goode is supervised by Archan K Basu, the firm's Chief Compliance Officer.
Archan K Basu is responsible for ensuring that Nick adheres to all required regulations
regarding the activities of an Investment Adviser Representative, as well as all policies and
procedures outlined in the firm’s Code of Ethics and compliance manual. The phone number for
Archan K Basu is (914) 246-1880.
34
Brochure Supplement: John T Kasameyer, CFA®
This brochure supplement provides
information about John Thomas Kasameyer that
supplements the Altar Rock LLC brochure. Additional information about John Thomas
Kasameyer is also available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
If you did not receive Altar Rock LLC’s brochure or have any questions about the contents of this
supplement, please contact us at (914) 246-1880 or by email at: archan@altarrockwealth.com.
34 Harding Road
Lexington, MA 02420
(617) 678-2322
John@altarrockwealth.com
https://www.altarrockwealth.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: December 8, 2025
35
John Thomas Kasameyer, CFAⓇ
Personal CRD Number: 4720029
Investment Adviser Representative
Phone: (617) 678-2322
Email: John@altarrockwealth.com
Professional Certifications
CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter is a globally respected, graduate-level investment
credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute - the largest global association of
investment professionals.
There are currently more than 90,000 CFA charterholders working in 134 countries. To earn the
CFA charter, candidates must: 1) pass three sequential, six-hour examinations; 2) have at least
four years of qualified professional investment experience; 3) join CFA Institute as members;
and 4) commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, their adherence to the CFA Institute Code of
Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
High Ethical Standards
The CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, enforced through an
active professional conduct program, require CFA charterholders to:
● Place their clients' interests ahead of their own
● Maintain independence and objectivity
● Act with integrity
● Maintain and improve their professional competence
● Disclose conflicts of interest and legal matters
Global Recognition
Passing the three CFA exams is a difficult feat that requires extensive study (successful
candidates report spending an average of 300 hours of study per level). Earning the CFA charter
demonstrates mastery of many of the advanced skills needed for investment analysis and
decision making in today's quickly evolving global financial industry. As a result, employers and
clients are increasingly seeking CFA charterholders-often making the charter a prerequisite for
employment.
Additionally, regulatory bodies in 22 countries and territories recognize the CFA charter as a
proxy for meeting certain licensing requirements, and more than 125 colleges and universities
around the world have incorporated a majority of the CFA Program curriculum into their own
finance courses.
36
Comprehensive and Current Knowledge
The CFA Program curriculum provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge for
investment decision making and is firmly grounded in the knowledge and skills used every day
in the investment profession. The three levels of the CFA Program test a proficiency with a wide
range of fundamental and advanced investment topics, including ethical and professional
standards, fixed-income and equity analysis, alternative and derivative investments, economics,
financial reporting standards, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The CFA Program
curriculum is updated every year by experts from around the world to ensure that candidates
learn the most relevant and practical new tools, ideas, and investment and wealth management
skills to reflect the dynamic and complex nature of the profession.
To learn more about the CFA charter, visit www.cfainstitute.org.
Educational Background and Business Experience
John Thomas Kasameyer was born in 1980 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in
Accounting from Lehigh University in 2002 and a second major in Finance in 2003. He holds a
CFA designation.
At Altar Rock LLC, John is the Head of Portfolio Strategy as of February 2024. He is also an
Investment Adviser Representative at Altar Rock LLC as of February 2024.
Prior to Altar Rock LLC, John worked as Managing Director at Cresset Capital from February
2022 to January 2024; as Senior Portfolio Strategist at Fidelity Institutional Asset Management
from February 2014 to January 2022; as Portfolio Strategist at Fidelity Institutional Asset
Management June 2012 to February 2014; as Regional Investment Consultant at Fidelity
Investments Institutional Services March 2006 to June 2012; and as Retirement Planning
Consultant at Fidelity Investments Tax- Exempt Services Company from June 2003 to March
2006.
Disciplinary Information
None
Other Business Activities
None
Additional Compensation
None
Supervision
John Kasameyer is supervised by Archan K Basu, the firm's Chief Compliance Officer. Archan K
Basu is responsible for ensuring that John Kasameyer adheres to all required regulations
37
regarding the activities of an Investment Adviser Representative, as well as all policies and
procedures outlined in the firm’s Code of Ethics and compliance manual. The phone number for
Archan K Basu is (914) 246-1880.
38
Brochure Supplement: Craig L Blackwell, CFA®
This brochure supplement provides information about Craig Leon Blackwell that supplements the
Altar Rock LLC brochure. Additional information about Craig Leon Blackwell is also available on
the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
If you did not receive Altar Rock LLC’s brochure or have any questions about the contents of this
supplement, please contact us at (914) 246-1880 or by email at: archan@altarrockwealth.com.
34 Harding Road
Lexington, MA 02420
(781) 226-4398
craig@altarrockwealth.com
https://www.altarrockwealth.com
Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Version Date: December 8, 2025
39
Craig Leon Blackwell, CFAⓇ
Personal CRD Number: 6376752
Investment Adviser Representative
Phone: (512) 913-6401
Email: craig@altarrockwealth.com
Professional Certifications
CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst
The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charter is a globally respected, graduate-level investment
credential established in 1962 and awarded by CFA Institute - the largest global association of
investment professionals.
There are currently more than 90,000 CFA charterholders working in 134 countries. To earn the
CFA charter, candidates must: 1) pass three sequential, six-hour examinations; 2) have at least
four years of qualified professional investment experience; 3) join CFA Institute as members;
and 4) commit to abide by, and annually reaffirm, their adherence to the CFA Institute Code of
Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
High Ethical Standards
The CFA Institute Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, enforced through an
active professional conduct program, require CFA charterholders to:
● Place their clients' interests ahead of their own
● Maintain independence and objectivity
● Act with integrity
● Maintain and improve their professional competence
● Disclose conflicts of interest and legal matters
Global Recognition
Passing the three CFA exams is a difficult feat that requires extensive study (successful
candidates report spending an average of 300 hours of study per level). Earning the CFA charter
demonstrates mastery of many of the advanced skills needed for investment analysis and
decision making in today's quickly evolving global financial industry. As a result, employers and
clients are increasingly seeking CFA charterholders-often making the charter a prerequisite for
employment.
Additionally, regulatory bodies in 22 countries and territories recognize the CFA charter as a
proxy for meeting certain licensing requirements, and more than 125 colleges and universities
around the world have incorporated a majority of the CFA Program curriculum into their own
finance courses.
40
Comprehensive and Current Knowledge
The CFA Program curriculum provides a comprehensive framework of knowledge for investment
decision making and is firmly grounded in the knowledge and skills used every day in the
investment profession. The three levels of the CFA Program test a proficiency with a wide range
of fundamental and advanced investment topics, including ethical and professional standards,
fixed-income and equity analysis, alternative and derivative investments, economics, financial
reporting standards, portfolio management, and wealth planning. The CFA Program curriculum is
updated every year by experts from around the world to ensure that candidates learn the most
relevant and practical new tools, ideas, and investment and wealth management skills to reflect
the dynamic and complex nature of the profession.
To learn more about the CFA charter, visit www.cfainstitute.org.
Educational Background and Business Experience
Craig Leon Blackwell was born in 1980 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics
from The University of Texas at Austin in 2006. He holds a CFA designation.
At Altar Rock Insurance LLC, Craig is a Licensed Insurance producer as of June 2025.
At The Leaders Group Inc. Craig is a Registered Representative as of March 2025.
At Altar Rock LLC, Craig is the Head of Research as of October 2023. He is also an Investment
Adviser Representative at Altar Rock LLC as of October 2023.
Prior to Altar Rock LLC, Craig worked as Public Investments Lead at Compound Financial from
April 2023 to September 2023; as Portfolio Strategist at Fidelity Institutional Asset Management
from July 2014 to April 2023; as Research Analyst at Fidelity Investments October 2009 to June
2014; as Lead Fund Accounting Analyst at Fidelity Investments January 2008 to September
2009.
Disciplinary Information
None
Other Business Activities
Craig Blackwell is a registered representative of The Leaders Group, Inc. From time to time, he
will offer clients advice or products from those activities. Clients should be aware that these
services pay a commission or other compensation and involve a conflict of interest, as
commissionable products conflict with the fiduciary duties of a registered investment adviser.
Altar Rock always acts in the best interest of the client, including with respect to the sale of
commissionable products to advisory clients. Clients always have the right to decide whether or
not to utilize the services of any Altar Rock representative in such individual’s outside
capacities.
41
Craig Blackwell is a licensed insurance producer with Altar Rock Insurance LLC. This activity
creates a potential conflict of interest since there is an incentive to recommend insurance
products based on commissions or other benefits received from the insurance company, rather
than on the client’s needs. Additionally, the offer and sale of insurance products by supervised
persons of Altar Rock are not made in their capacity as a fiduciary, and products are limited to
only those offered by certain insurance providers. Altar Rock addresses this conflict of interest
by requiring its supervised persons to act in the best interest of the client at ALL times,
including when acting as an insurance agent.
Additional Compensation
None
Supervision
Craig Blackwell is supervised by Archan K Basu, the firm's Chief Compliance Officer. Archan K
Basu is responsible for ensuring that John Kasameyer adheres to all required regulations
regarding the activities of an Investment Adviser Representative, as well as all policies and
procedures outlined in the firm’s Code of Ethics and compliance manual. The phone number for
Archan K Basu is (914) 246-1880.
42
43