Overview
- Headquarters
- Conshohocken, PA
- Total Firm Assets
- $1.6 billion
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $3.4 million
- Stated Minimum Account Size
- $500,000
Fee Disclosure
03 24 2026 CIA FORM ADV PART 2A FINAL
| Min | Max | Disclosed Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.35% |
Stated Minimum Annual Fee: $2,000
Estimated Annual Advisory Fees
| Portfolio Value | Estimated Annual Fee | Effective Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $13,500 | 1.35% |
| $5 million | $67,500 | 1.35% |
| $10 million | $135,000 | 1.35% |
| $50 million | $675,000 | 1.35% |
| $100 million | $1,350,000 | 1.35% |
Actual fees may vary; other investment costs may apply.
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 71.97%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 333
- Total Client Accounts
- 3,745
- Discretionary Accounts
- 3,718
- Non-Discretionary Accounts
- 27
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Pension Consulting, Investment Advisor Selection
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 166418
Additional Brochure: 08 18 2026 CIA FORM ADV PART 2A FINAL (2026-08-18)
View Document Text
Item 1: Cover Page
Compass Ion Advisors, LLC
Form ADV Part 2A
Investment Adviser Brochure
300 Conshohocken State Road
Suite 230
Conshohocken, PA 19428
(610) 228-2200 (Phone)
(610) 783-4275 (Fax)
www.ionadv.com
August 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Compass
Ion Advisors, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
Matthew D. Kane, President, Principal and Chief Compliance Officer, at (610) 228-2200 or
compliance@ionadv.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified
by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Registration as an investment advisor does not imply any level of skill or training.
Additional information about Compass Ion Advisors, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The information in this Brochure has not been approved or verified
by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
We are a registered investment adviser. Please note that use of the term “registered
investment adviser” and a description of the Firm and/or our employees as “registered” does
not imply a certain level of skill or training. For more information on the qualifications of the
Firm and our employees who advise you, we encourage you to review this Brochure and the
Brochure Supplement(s).
Item 2: Summary of Material Changes
In this Item of Compass Ion Advisors, LLC’s (Compass Ion or the Firm) Form ADV 2, the Firm is
required to discuss any material changes that have been made to Form ADV since the last
Annual Amendment.
Material Changes since the Last Update
Since the filing of our Annual Amendment on March 24, 2026, we have the following material
changes to report:
• We have removed references to hourly fees as we no longer offer fees on an hourly
basis. See Item 5: Fees and Compensation.
• We have removed references to 12b-1 fees as we no longer recommend mutual funds
and ETFs that charge these fees. See Item 5: Fees and Compensation.
• We have amended disclosure regarding our Account Minimums. See Item 7: Types of
Clients.
• We have added Digital Asset Risk language. See Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment
Strategies and Risk of Loss.
• We have removed references throughout this document to Structured Notes as we no
longer recommend this type of investment vehicle.
Annual Update
You will receive a summary of any material changes to our Form ADV brochure within 120 days
of our fiscal year end. We may also provide updated disclosure information about material
changes on a more frequent basis. Any summaries of changes will include the date of the last
annual update of the ADV.
Full Brochure Available
Compass Ion’s Form ADV may be requested at any time, without charge, by contacting
Matthew D. Kane, President, Principal and Chief Compliance Officer, at (610) 228-2200 or
compliance@ionadv.com. Additional information about the Firm is also available via the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. The SEC’s website also provides information about any
employees affiliated with the Firm who are registered as investment advisor representatives.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page .......................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Summary of Material Changes ........................................................................................... 2
Item 4: Advisory Business ............................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees and Compensation ..................................................................................................... 8
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ............................................... 13
Item 7: Types of Clients ................................................................................................................. 14
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ......................................... 15
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ................................................................................................... 19
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ........................................................ 20
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading . 22
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................ 24
Item 13: Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................ 27
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation ..................................................................... 28
Item 15: Custody ........................................................................................................................... 29
Item 16: Investment Discretion .................................................................................................... 31
Item 17: Voting Client Securities .................................................................................................. 32
Item 18: Financial Information ..................................................................................................... 33
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Information
Compass Ion Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser with its principal place of business
located in Pennsylvania. Compass Ion Advisors, LLC began conducting business in 2008.
The Firm’s shareholders include Matthew D. Kane and Joshua S. Manifold.
Compass Ion offers the following advisory services to clients:
Financial Planning
Compass Ion provides financial planning services. Financial planning is an integrated evaluation
of a client’s current and projected future financial status using currently known data,
assumptions about future events, goals and variables to project future cash flows and asset
values. Compass Ion uses the results of these projections to create planning recommendations
in the context of the clients’ expressed mission, vision, values and goals. Through the financial
planning process, all material questions, information and analysis are considered as they affect
and are affected by the entire financial and life situation of the client. Clients receiving this
service receive a written report which provides the client with a financial plan designed to assist
the client achieve his or her financial goals and objectives.
Compass Ion gathers necessary information through in-depth personal interviews. Information
gathered includes the client’s current financial status, tax status, future goals, return objectives
and attitudes toward risk. All documentation and information supplied by client, or with the
client’s permission, are carefully reviewed prior to the preparation of a written report. Should
the client choose to implement the recommendations contained in the plan, Compass Ion
encourages the client, when necessary, to work closely with his or her attorney, accountant or
other appropriate professional. Implementation of financial plan recommendations is entirely
at the client’s discretion.
Compass Ion also provides general non-securities advice on topics that may include tax and
budgetary planning, estate planning and business planning.
Typically, the financial plan is presented to the client within three months of the beginning of
the process, provided that all information needed to prepare the financial plan has been
promptly provided.
Financial Planning recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered
by a broker-dealer or insurance company. All recommendations are of a generic nature.
Investment Advisory Services
Generally, Compass Ion provides financial planning and investment advisory services as part of
an integrated service, it being a goal of Compass Ion to provide investment advisory services
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within the context of a full understanding of a client’s overall financial situation. Compass Ion
provides investment advisory services to individual and family clients based on the individual
mission, vision, values and goals of each family. Compass Ion uses a team-driven approach to
design diversified, long-term portfolios to meet clients’ personal investment goals and
objectives. Compass Ion develops strategic and tactical asset allocations for clients. Compass
Ion conducts interviews with clients to determine each client’s risk profile and seek other
personal information during such interviews to enable the Firm to construct an appropriate
investment program.
Compass Ion provides investment advisory services to colleges, schools, other charitable
organizations and for-profit businesses based on the entity’s mission, vision, values and goals.
The Firm conducts interviews of key officials at such entitles to discover necessary information
and develop a risk profile and a strategic asset allocation. Compass Ion uses a team-driven
approach to design diversified, long-term-focused portfolios to meet the entity’s investment
goals and objectives, and in a manner designed to connect the entity’s stated mission with the
management of the investment portfolio.
Compass Ion manages investment advisory accounts on a discretionary basis or non-
discretionary basis. Account supervision is guided by the client’s stated objectives as well as tax
considerations. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities,
types of securities, or industry sectors. exchange traded funds or notes and other securities or
investment vehicles as appropriate for the client’s objectives and circumstances.
As part of the Firm’s investment advisory services, Compass Ion monitors the performance of
client portfolios against certain agreed upon benchmarks, assess the performance of securities,
and report results to clients through periodic meetings, teleconferences, reports or web
portals.
Consulting Services to Retirement Plan Sponsors
Compass Ion provides investment advisory services to plan sponsors of certain qualified
retirement plans which meet the Internal Revenue Code requirements and the Employee
Retirement Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), such as profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans,
and 457 plans. The Firm provides recommendations as to the appropriate, limited array of
investment options to be chosen from the mutual funds available through the plan’s third-party
administrator investment platform. At the client’s desires, Compass Ion also provides
informational and educational services to plan participants through seminars, employee
meetings, and other manners of communication to assist the participants in learning how to
properly utilize the plan and the investment options therein. Compass Ion does not have
custody, control, discretionary authority, responsibility for execution and does not take
responsibility for valuation, recordkeeping, or proxy voting.
Sub-Advisors
Compass Ion may subcontract some or all of its investment advisory services with other
registered investment advisers (sub-advisors) and delegate all or a portion of advisory
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responsibilities to the sub-advisor. Sub-advisors are not affiliated or controlled by Compass Ion.
Tailored Relationships
Compass Ion tailors investment advisory services to the individual needs of the client. Compass
Ion clients are allowed to impose restrictions on the investments in their account. All limitations
and restrictions placed on accounts must be presented to Compass Ion in writing. Clients will
retain individual ownership of all securities.
Wrap Fee Programs
A “wrap-fee” program is one that provides the client with advisory and brokerage execution
services for an all-inclusive fee. The client is not charged separate fees for the respective
components of the total service. Compass Ion does not sponsor, manage or participate in a
Wrap Fee Program.
Fiduciary Statement
We are fiduciaries under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and when we provide investment
advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual retirement account, we are
also fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,
(“ERISA”) and/or the Internal Revenue Code, (“IRC”), as applicable, which are laws governing
retirement accounts.
We have to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead of yours. At the same time,
the way we make money creates some conflicts with your interests. We must take into
consideration each client’s objectives and act in the best interests of the client. We are
prohibited from engaging in any activity that is in conflict with the interests of the client. We
have the following responsibilities when working with a client:
• To render impartial advice;
• To make appropriate recommendations based on the client’s needs, financial
circumstances, and investment objectives;
• To exercise a high degree of care and diligence to ensure that information is presented
in an accurate manner and not in a way to mislead;
• To have a reasonable basis, information, and understanding of the facts in order to
provide appropriate recommendations and representations;
• Disclose any material conflict of interest in writing; and
• Treat clients fairly and equitably.
Regulations prohibit us from:
• Employing any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud a client;
• Making any untrue statement of a material fact to a client or omitting to state a material
fact when communicating with a client;
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• Engaging in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as
fraud or deceit upon a client; or
• Engaging in any manipulative act or practice with a client.
We will act with competence, dignity, integrity, and in an ethical manner, when working with
clients. We will use reasonable care and exercise independent professional judgement when
conducting investment analysis, making investment recommendations, trading, promoting our
services, and engaging in other professional activities.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, we managed $1,586,830,325in client assets; $1,452,383,330
managed on a discretionary basis, and $134,446,995 on a non-discretionary basis.
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
We base our fees on fixed fees, and the percentage of assets under management, which are
described below.
Compensation - Financial Planning
Compass Ion’s Financial Planning fee will be determined based on the nature of the services
being provided and the complexity of each client’s circumstances. All fees are agreed upon
prior to entering into a contract with any client.
Compass Ion provides Financial Planning services on a fixed-fee or retainer basis. The specific
fee and payment terms are agreed upon in writing before services begin.
Compass Ion’s Financial Planning fees are determined based on the nature of the engagement,
the scope of work, and the complexity of the client’s circumstances. Fees may vary by
engagement and will be disclosed in the client agreement.
Compass Ion may request a retainer or other advance payment when permitted by applicable
law and as described in the client agreement. Any unearned prepaid fees will be refunded upon
termination of the engagement.
Clients may have different fee schedules or payment terms if specifically disclosed in their
written agreement with Compass Ion.
Financial Planning Fee Offset: Compass Ion may reduce or waive a financial planning fee when
a client also engages Compass Ion for ongoing investment advisory services, as reflected in the
applicable client agreement.
Compensation - Investment Advisory
Due to the nexus Compass Ion sees between financial planning and investment advisory work,
Compass Ion prefers to work with clients for whom the Firm has an ongoing agreement to
provide both financial planning and investment advisory services. Therefore, Compass Ion’s
ongoing investment advisory fees are designed to create enough revenue to pay for both
services as one unified service. Compass Ion’s annual fee for Investment Advisory Services and
ongoing Financial Planning services is based on a percentage of assets under management,
payable quarterly in advance, as set forth in the client’s written agreement.
Clients may make additions to and withdrawals from their account at any time, subject to
Compass Ion’s right to terminate an account. If assets are deposited into or withdrawn from an
account after the inception of a quarter the investment advisory fee payable with respect to
the assets will be prorated based on the number of days remaining in the quarter. Clients may
withdraw assets from their account by providing Compass Ion with advance notice. All
withdrawals are subject to customary securities settlement procedures.
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Compensation - Portfolio Management Services
Clients may be charged a fixed fee. Overall factors to be considered in determining the fee will
include the type and amount of assets to be managed and the complexity of the client’s
circumstances. Fees are due and payable upon completion of the project.
Compensation - Retirement Plan Consulting
Compass Ion’s fees for providing services for consulting services to Retirement Plan Sponsors
are based upon a percentage of assets under management and generally range from 0.25% to
1.00%, payable quarterly in advance.
Sub-Advisors
In certain circumstances, Compass Ion may recommend the services of a sub-advisor, and a
sub-advisory fee may be charged in addition to the investment management fee charged by the
Firm.
Calculation and Payment
The specific manner in which we charge fees is established in a client’s written agreement with
us. Clients may elect to be invoiced directly for fees or to authorize us to directly debit fees
from client accounts. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will be
promptly refunded, and any earned, unpaid fees will be due and payable.
Agreement Terms
Either party may terminate an agreement at any time by notifying the other in writing. If the
client made an advance payment, we would refund any unearned portion of the advance
payment.
If the client made a payment in arrears, we would collect any earned yet unpaid fees.
Cash Balances
Some of your assets may be held as cash and remain uninvested. Holding a portion of your
assets in cash and cash alternatives, i.e., money market fund shares, may be based on your
desire to have an allocation to cash as an asset class, to support a phased market entrance
strategy, to facilitate transaction execution, to have available funds for withdrawal needs or to
pay fees or to provide for asset protection during periods of volatile market conditions. Your
cash and cash equivalents will be subject to our investment advisory fees unless otherwise
agreed upon. You may experience negative performance on the cash portion of your portfolio if
the investment advisory fees charged are higher than the returns you receive from your cash.
Retirement Plan Rollover Recommendations
As part of our investment advisory services to our clients, we may recommend that clients roll
assets from their employer’s retirement plan, such as a 401(k), 457, or ERISA 403(b) account
(collectively, a “Plan Account”), to an individual retirement account, such as a SIMPLE IRA, SEP
IRA, Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA (collectively, an “IRA Account”) that we will advise on the
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client’s behalf. We may also recommend rollovers from IRA Accounts to Plan Accounts, from
Plan Accounts to Plan Accounts, and from IRA Accounts to IRA Accounts.
If the client elects to roll the assets to an IRA that is subject to our advisement, we will charge
the client an asset-based fee as set forth in the advisory agreement the client executed with our
firm. This creates a conflict of interest because it creates a financial incentive for our firm to
recommend the rollover to the client (i.e., receipt of additional fee-based compensation).
Clients are under no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to complete the rollover. Moreover,
if clients do complete the rollover, clients are under no obligation to have the assets in an IRA
advised on by our firm. Due to the foregoing conflict of interest, when we make rollover
recommendations, we operate under a special rule that requires us to act in our clients’ best
interests and not put our interests ahead of our clients’.
Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give
prudent advice);
• never put our financial interests ahead of our clients’ 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 our
clients’ best interests;
• charge no more than a reasonable fee for our services; and
• give clients basic information about conflicts of interest.
Many employers permit former employees to keep their retirement assets in their company
plan. Also, current employees can sometimes move assets out of their company plan before
they retire or change jobs. In determining whether to complete the rollover to an IRA, and to
the extent the following options are available, clients should consider the costs and benefits of
a rollover. Note that an employee will typically have four options in this situation:
1. leaving the funds in the employer’s (former employer’s) plan;
2. moving the funds to a new employer’s retirement plan;
3. cashing out and taking a taxable distribution from the plan; or
4. rolling the funds into an IRA rollover account.
Each of these options has positives and negatives. Because of that, along with the importance
of understanding the differences between these types of accounts, we will provide clients with
an explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of both account types and document the
basis for our belief that the rollover transaction we recommend is in your best interests.
General Information on Compensation and Other Fees
Legacy clients may be subject to different fee arrangements, which may be higher or lower than
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the fee schedule currently offered to new clients. These legacy fee schedules reflect terms
originally agreed upon and are not automatically adjusted to match fees for new clients
Our fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related costs and
expenses which shall be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain charges imposed by
custodians, brokers, third party investment and other third parties such as fees charged by
managers, custodial fees, deferred sales charges, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire
transfer and electronic fund fees, and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and
securities transactions. Mutual funds and exchange traded funds also charge internal
management fees, which are disclosed in a fund’s prospectus.
Such charges, fees and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to our fees, and we shall
not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs.
All fees paid to us for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and
expenses charged by mutual funds to their shareholders. These fees and expenses are
described in each fund’s prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee, other
expenses, and a possible distribution fee. If the fund also imposes sales charges, a client may
pay an initial or deferred sales charge.
A client could invest in a mutual fund directly, without our services. In that case, the client
would not receive our services, which are designed, among other things, to assist the client in
determining which mutual funds are most appropriate to each client’s financial condition and
objectives. Accordingly, the client should review both the fees charged by the funds and the
fees charged by us to fully understand the total amount of fees to be paid by the client and to
thereby evaluate the advisory services being provided.
Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or may not) be available from other
registered investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
ERISA Accounts: Compass Ion is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory clients that are employee
benefit plans or individual retirement accounts (IRAs) pursuant to the Employee Retirement
Income and Securities Act (“ERISA”). As such, the Firm is subject to specific duties and
obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that include, among other things,
restrictions concerning certain forms of compensation.
To avoid engaging in prohibited transactions, the Firm may only charge fees for investment
advice about products for which Compass Ion and/or Compass Ion’s related persons do not
receive any commissions or 12b-1 fees, or conversely, investment advice about products for
which Compass Ion and/or Compass Ion’s related persons receive commissions or 12b-1 fees,
however, only when such fees are used to offset the Firm’s advisory fees.
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or may not) be
available from other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
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Fees and Expenses (Mutual Funds Share Class Selection)
Funds generally offer multiple share classes available for investment based upon certain
eligibility and/or purchase requirements. For instance, in addition to retail share classes
(typically referred to as class A, class B and class C shares), funds may also offer institutional
share classes or other share classes that are specifically designed for purchase by investors who
meet certain specified eligibility criteria, including, for example, whether an account meets
certain minimum dollar amount thresholds or is enrolled in an eligible fee-based investment
advisory program. Institutional share classes usually have a lower expense ratio than other
share classes.
Compass Ion and its IARs, who are dually licensed as Registered Representatives, have a
financial incentive to recommend or select share classes that have a 12b-1 fee because such
share classes generally result in higher compensation. The Firm has taken steps to minimize this
conflict of interest, including not allowing IARs to receive 12b-1 compensation, other than as
noted above for certain 529 Plans and certain retirement plans. Compass Ion also conducts
periodic reviews of client holdings in mutual fund investments to ensure the appropriateness of
mutual fund share class selections and whether alternative mutual fund share class selections
are available that might be more appropriate given the client’s particularized investment
objectives and any other appropriate considerations relevant to mutual fund share class
selection. Regardless of such considerations, clients should not assume that they will be
invested in the share class with the lowest possible expense ratio.
The appropriateness of a particular fund share class selection is dependent upon a range of
different considerations, including but not limited to: the asset-based advisory fee that is
charged, whether transaction charges are applied to the purchase or sale of funds, operational
considerations associated with accessing or offering particular share classes (including the
presence of selling agreements with the fund sponsors and Compass Ion’s ability to access
particular share classes through the custodian), share class eligibility requirements; and the
availability of revenue sharing, distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees or other
compensation associated with offering a particular class of shares.
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Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
“Performance-based fees” are fees based on the capital gains or capital appreciation in an
account. Compass Ion does not charge performance-based fees.
13
Item 7: Types of Clients
Compass Ion provides advisory services primarily to individuals and families, including high-net-
worth individuals and families, as well as trusts, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and
other entities where the Firm’s services are appropriate for the client’s needs.
Account Minimums
Compass Ion generally establishes account minimums based on the nature of the engagement,
the services requested, and the client’s circumstances. Minimums may be waived or modified
in the Firm’s discretion, including for related accounts, existing relationships, family
relationships, or other circumstances where the Firm determines an accommodation is
appropriate.
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Compass Ion uses the following methods of analysis in formulating the Firm’s investment advice
and/or managing client assets:
Asset Allocation. Rather than focusing primarily on securities selection, Compass Ion attempts
to identify an appropriate asset allocation ratio appropriate to the client’s investment goals and
risk tolerance.
A risk of asset allocation is that the client may not participate in sharp increases in a particular
security, industry or market sector. Another risk is that the asset allocation ratio will change
over time due to stock and market movements and, if not corrected, will no longer be
appropriate for the client’s goals.
ETF, Separately Managed Account, Private Placement, and Mutual Fund Analysis. Compass
Ion evaluates exchange-traded funds, separately managed accounts, private placements,
mutual funds, and other investment vehicles to determine whether they are appropriate for a
client’s objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, tax considerations, and overall portfolio
strategy.
Compass Ion reviews underlying holdings, strategy, manager or sponsor experience, liquidity
profile, fees and expenses, diversification characteristics, and potential overlap with other
investments in a client’s portfolio. Compass Ion also monitors investments to determine
whether they continue to follow their stated investment strategy and remain appropriate for
the client’s circumstances.
A risk of this analysis is that, as in all securities investments, past performance does not
guarantee future results. A manager, sponsor, or strategy that has been successful may not be
able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, Compass Ion generally does not control
the underlying investments in pooled vehicles or unaffiliated strategies, and managers may
deviate from their stated mandate or strategy, which could make the holding less suitable for
the client’s portfolio.
Third-Party Money Manager Analysis. Compass Ion examines the experience, expertise,
investment philosophies, and past performance of independent third-party investment
managers in an attempt to determine if that manager has demonstrated an ability to invest
over a period of time and in different economic conditions. Compass Ion monitors the
manager’s underlying holdings, strategies, concentrations and leverage as part of the Firm’s
overall periodic risk assessment.
Additionally, as part of Compass Ion’s due-diligence process, the Firm surveys the manager’s
compliance and business enterprise risks.
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A risk of investing with a third-party manager who has been successful in the past is that he/she
may not be able to replicate that success in the future. In addition, as Compass Ion does not
control the underlying investments in a third-party manager’s portfolio, there is also a risk that
a manager may deviate from the stated investment mandate or strategy of the portfolio,
making it a less suitable investment for the Firm’s clients.
Digital Asset Exposure
Compass Ion may recommend limited exposure to digital assets or digital-asset-related
investment products, including exchange-traded products, when appropriate for a client’s
objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and overall portfolio. Digital asset exposure can be
volatile and may involve unique risks, including market, liquidity, custody, operational,
valuation, cybersecurity, and regulatory risks. Clients should understand that these investments
may experience rapid and substantial value fluctuations and may not be suitable for all
investors.
Investment Strategies
Compass Ion purchases securities with the idea of holding them in the client's account for a
year or longer. Typically, Compass Ion employs this strategy when the Firm believes the
securities to be currently undervalued, and/or the Firm wants exposure to a particular asset
class over time, regardless of the current projection for this class.
A risk in a long-term purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time,
Compass Ion may not take advantage of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client.
Moreover, if Compass Ion’s predictions are incorrect, a security may decline sharply in value
before the Firm makes the decision to sell.
Compass Ion occasionally uses long-term trading, short-term trading, short sales, margin
transactions, and options writing (including covered options, uncovered options, or spreading
strategies).
Options
On occasion, options strategies may be employed. When used, these strategies are generally
employed as a supplement to other investment strategies. Strategies can vary depending on
the client’s needs. Commonly, options are used for income generation, including the sale of
puts and covered calls. Purchase of calls or puts may also be used, either to capture some
equity upside or to protect against some portion of the downside. In general, we do not seek to
use options to leverage risk.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
All investments involve the risk of loss, including (among other things) loss of principal, a
reduction in earnings (including interest, dividends and other distributions), and the loss of
future earnings. Although we manage assets in a manner consistent with your investment
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objectives and risk tolerance, there can be no guarantee that our efforts will be successful.
Material risks associated with the methods of analysis and investment strategies used include
actual company specific or market events that may contradict assumptions at the time a
security was chosen, and/or a security’s actual performance that may not follow trends
previously identified in the analysis conducted. Any performance quoted represents past
performance, is no guarantee of future results, and will not provide an adequate basis for
evaluating the performance of the product over varying market conditions or economic cycles.
The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s
shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Because some types of investments involve certain additional degrees of risk, they only will be
implemented/recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment objectives,
tolerance for risk, liquidity and suitability.
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Compass Ion’s
investment approach constantly keeps the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the following
investment risks:
•
Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to
fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less
attractive, causing their market values to decline.
• Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to
•
tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external
factors independent of a security’s particular underlying circumstances. For example,
political, economic and social conditions may trigger market events.
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar next year will not buy as
much as a dollar today, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation.
• Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the
dollar against the currency of the investment’s originating country. This is also referred
to as exchange rate risk.
• Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have to
be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This primarily
relates to fixed income securities.
• Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular
company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies depend on finding oil
and then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can generate a profit. They carry a
higher risk of profitability than an electric company, which generates its income from a
steady stream of customers who buy electricity no matter what the economic
environment is like.
• Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized
product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties are
not.
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• Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations increases the risk
of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its obligations in good
times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan obligations
may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
• Cybersecurity Risk: A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and
unintentional events that may cause an account to lose proprietary information, suffer
data corruption, or lose operational capacity. This in turn could cause an account to
incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, and additional compliance costs
associated with corrective measures, and/or financial loss.
• Pandemic Risk: Large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease can greatly increase
morbidity and mortality over a wide geographic area, crossing international boundaries,
and causing significant economic, social, and political disruption.
• Custodial Risk: This risk is the probability that a party to a transaction will be unable or
unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligations either due to technological errors, control
failures, malfeasance, or potential regulatory liabilities.
• Digital Asset Risk: Digital assets and digital-asset-related investment products, including
exchange-traded products, may experience significant volatility and may involve market,
liquidity, custody, operational, valuation, cybersecurity, and regulatory risks. These
investments may decline substantially in value and may not be suitable for all investors.
• Options Risk: Options involve significant risk and are not suitable for all investors.
Options can experience rapid price fluctuations, may expire worthless, and can expose
investors to substantial losses, particularly when strategies involve leverage or
uncovered positions. Investors should understand that options require active
monitoring, and adverse market movements can lead to the loss of principal or
obligations exceeding the initial investment.
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Compass Ion is required to disclose any legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client's
or prospective client's evaluation of the Firm’s advisory business or the integrity of the Firm’s
management. Compass Ion has no information to disclose applicable to this Item.
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
We are required to disclose to our clients any relationship or arrangement with certain related
persons that is material to our advisory business.
Financial Industry Activities
Compass Ion is not registered as a broker-dealer. Neither Compass Ion nor any of its
management persons is registered as (or associated with) a futures commissions merchant,
commodity pool operator, or a commodity trading advisor.
Broker-Dealer Registered Representatives
Management personnel of Compass Ion are separately licensed as registered representatives of
Keel Point Capital LLC, an unaffiliated broker-dealer. These individuals, in their separate
capacity, can affect securities transactions for which they will receive separate, yet customary
compensation. While Compass Ion and these individuals endeavor at all times to put the
interest of the clients first as part of the Firm’s fiduciary duty, clients should be aware that the
receipt of additional compensation itself creates a conflict of interest and may affect the
judgment of these individuals when making recommendations.
Accountant or Accounting Firm
Certain of our Investment Advisor Representatives are Certified Public Accountants (CPAs).
They do not practice traditional accounting outside of their roles at the Firm.
Insurance Company or Agency
Certain of our Investment Advisor Representatives and management personnel of Compass Ion,
in their individual capacities, may be licensed insurance agents for various insurance
companies. As such, these individuals are able to receive separate, yet customary commission
compensation resulting from implementing product transactions on behalf of advisory clients.
Clients, however, are not under any obligation to engage these individuals when considering
implementation of advisory recommendations. The implementation of any or all
recommendations is solely at the discretion of the client.
Conflicts of Interest
Clients should be aware that the receipt of additional compensation by Compass Ion and its
management persons or employees creates a conflict of interest that may impair the objectivity
of the Firm and these individuals when making advisory recommendations. Compass Ion
endeavors at all times to put the interest of its clients first as part of the Firm’s fiduciary duty as
a registered investment adviser; Compass Ion takes the following steps to address this conflict:
• Compass Ion discloses to clients the existence of all material conflicts of interest,
including the potential for Compass Ion and Compass Ion’s employees to earn
compensation from advisory clients in addition to Compass Ion's advisory fees;
• Compass Ion discloses to clients that they are not obligated to purchase recommended
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investment products from Compass Ion’s employees or affiliated companies;
• Compass Ion collects, maintains and documents accurate, complete and relevant client
background information, including the client’s financial goals, objectives and risk
tolerance;
• Compass Ion's management conducts regular reviews of each client account to verify
that all recommendations made to a client are suitable to the client’s needs and
circumstances;
• Compass Ion requires that employees seek prior approval of any outside employment
activity so that Compass Ion may ensure that any conflicts of interests in such activities
are properly addressed;
• Compass Ion periodically monitors these outside employment activities to verify that
any conflicts of interest continue to be properly addressed by Compass Ion; and
• Compass Ion educates employees regarding the responsibilities of a fiduciary, including
the need for having a reasonable and independent basis for the investment advice
provided to clients.
Other Investment Advisors
As described above in Items 4 and 5, Compass Ion may select other investment advisors for its
clients and may share in compensation with those advisors.
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
Compass Ion employees must comply with a Code of Ethics and Statement for Insider Trading.
The Code describes Compass Ion’s high standard of business conduct, and fiduciary duty to its
clients. The Code’s key provisions include:
• Statement of General Principles
• Policy on and reporting of Personal Securities Transactions
• A prohibition on Insider Trading
• Restrictions on the acceptance of significant gifts
• Procedures to detect and deter misconduct and violations
• Requirement to maintain confidentiality of client information
Matthew D. Kane, President, Principal and Chief Compliance Officer, reviews all employee
trades each quarter. These reviews ensure that personal trading does not affect the markets,
and that clients of Compass Ion receive preferential treatment.
Compass Ion’s employees must acknowledge the terms of the Code at least annually, and any
employee not in compliance with the Code may be subject to termination. Compass Ion will
provide a copy of the Code upon request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions – Personal Securities Transactions
The Code of Ethics, described above, is designed to assure that the personal securities
transactions, activities and interests of the employees of Compass Ion will not interfere with (i)
making decisions in the best interest of advisory clients and (ii) implementing such decisions
while, at the same time, allowing employees to invest for their own accounts. Under the Code
certain classes of securities, primarily mutual funds, have been designated as exempt
transactions, based upon a determination that these would materially not interfere with the
best interest of Compass Ion ’s clients. In addition, the Code requires pre-clearance of many
transactions. Nonetheless, because the Code of Ethics in some circumstances would permit
employees to invest in the same securities as clients, there is a possibility that employees might
benefit from market activity by a client in a security held by an employee. Employee trading is
continually monitored under the Code of Ethics and designed to reasonably prevent conflicts of
interest between Compass Ion and its clients.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions – Financial Interest and Principal/Agency Cross
Compass Ion may effect agency cross transactions for client accounts. An agency cross
transaction is defined as a transaction where a person acts as an investment advisor in relation
to a transaction in which the investment advisor, or any person controlled by or under common
control with the investment adviser, acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another
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person on the other side of the transaction. Agency cross transactions are priced using an
external broker-dealer and clients may be charged a nominal transaction charge, but no
commissions. As a result, an agency cross transaction may result in a better price and/or lower
transaction (including commission) costs for clients. Cross transactions will comply with the
requirements associated with such transactions under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
including the applicable disclosure and consent requirements.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
Compass Ion does not receive formal soft dollar benefits other than execution from broker-
dealers in connection with client securities transactions. See information below regarding other
economic benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Compass Ion does not receive client referrals from broker-dealers.
Client Directed Brokerage
While not routine, the client may direct Compass Ion to use a particular broker-dealer to
execute some or all transactions for the client. This brokerage direction must be requested by
the client in writing. In that case, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for the
account with that broker-dealer, and Compass Ion will not seek better execution services or
prices from other broker-dealers or be able to “batch” client transactions for execution through
other broker-dealers with orders for other accounts managed by the Firm. By directing
brokerage, the client may pay higher commissions or other transaction costs or greater spreads,
or receive less favorable net prices, on transactions for the account than would otherwise be
the case. Not all advisers require or allow their clients to direct brokerage. Subject to the Firm’s
duty of best execution, Compass Ion may decline a client’s request to direct brokerage if, in the
Firm’s sole discretion, such directed brokerage arrangements would result in additional
operational difficulties.
If the client requests that Compass Ion arrange for the execution of securities brokerage
transactions for the client’s account, the Firm shall direct such transactions through broker-
dealers that the Firm reasonably believes will provide best execution. Compass Ion periodically
and systematically reviews the Firm’s policies and procedures regarding recommending broker-
dealers to our client in light of the Firm’s duty to obtain best execution.
Directed Brokerage (Schwab)
Compass Ion generally recommends Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), a member
FINRA/SIPC, an independent and unaffiliated broker-dealer. Schwab provides Compass Ion with
access to its institutional trading and custody services, which are typically not available to
Schwab retail investors. These services generally are available to independent investment
advisors on an unsolicited basis and are not otherwise contingent upon Compass Ion’s
commitment to Schwab for any specific amount of business (assets in custody or trading).
Schwab’s services include the execution of securities transactions, custody, research, 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 the Firm’s client accounts maintained there, Schwab is compensated through commissions
or other transaction-related fees for securities trades that are executed through Schwab or that
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settle into Schwab accounts. The brokerage commissions and/or transaction fees charged by
Schwab or any other designated broker-dealer are exclusive of and in addition to Compass Ion’s
fees.
Directed Brokerage – Other Economic Benefits (Schwab)
Compass Ion may receive from Schwab, at no cost, professional services, computer software
and related systems support, enabling the Firm to better monitor client accounts maintained at
Schwab. Compass Ion may receive this support without cost because of the portfolio
management services rendered to clients that maintain assets at Schwab. The support provided
may benefit the Firm, but not the Firm’s clients directly. In fulfilling the Firm’s duties to our
clients, Compass Ion endeavors at all times to put the interests of our clients first. Clients should
be aware, however, that the Firm’s receipt of economic benefits from a broker-dealer may
create a conflict of interest since these benefits may influence the Firm’s choice of broker-dealer
over another broker-dealer that does not furnish similar services, software and systems
support.
The commissions paid by Firm clients shall comply with our duty to obtain “best execution.”
However, a client may pay a commission that is higher than another qualified broker-dealer
might charge to effect the same transaction where Compass Ion determines, in good faith, that
the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services
received. In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but
whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the
full range of a broker-dealer’s services, including among others, the value of research provided,
execution capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Consistent with the foregoing,
while Compass Ion will seek competitive rates, the Firm may not necessarily obtain the lowest
possible commission rates for client transactions.
Schwab also makes available to Compass Ion other products and services that benefit the Firm
but may not directly benefit client accounts. Many of these products and services may be used
to service all or some substantial number of our accounts, including accounts not maintained at
Schwab.
Schwab’s products and services that assist Compass Ion in managing and administering clients’
accounts include software and other technology that (i) provide access to client account data
(such as trade confirmations and account statements); (ii) facilitate trade execution and allocate
aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts; (iii) provide research, pricing and other
market data; (iv) facilitate payment of our fees from Compass Ion client accounts; and (v) assist
with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Trade Aggregation
Compass Ion may aggregate trades for multiple accounts. Orders for the same security entered
on behalf of more than one client may be aggregated (i.e., blocked or bunched) subject to the
aggregation being in the best interests of all participating clients. If the order is filled at
different prices during the day, the prices are averaged for the day so that all participating
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accounts receive the same price. If an order has not been filled completely so that there are not
enough shares to allocate among all the clients equally, shares will be allocated in good faith,
based on the following considerations: amount of cash in the account, existing asset allocation
and industry exposure, risk profile, and type of security. If a partial execution is attained at the
end of the trading day, Compass Ion will generally allocate shares on a pro rata basis but may
fill small orders entirely before applying the pro rata allocation. All clients participating in each
aggregated order shall receive the average price and subject to minimum ticket charges, pay a
pro-rata portion of commissions.
Compass Ion’s allocation procedure seeks to be fair and equitable to all clients with no
particular group or client(s) being favored or disfavored over any other clients.
Accounts for Compass Ion or its employees may be included in a block trade with client
accounts.
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Item 13: Review of Accounts
Compass Ion’s Investment Committee is comprised of members of the Firm’s Senior
Management. The Investment Committee meets weekly to discuss the Firm’s overall
investment philosophy.
Compass Ion has retained Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC (Aptus) as a consultant for the Investment
Committee. Aptus provides research, investment recommendations and ongoing monitoring of
investments. Aptus has no discretion over client investment portfolios, does not have access to
any non-public personal information about clients, and does not vote on the Investment
Committee.
Financial Planning Services
Reviews: For clients who are paying an ongoing fee based on a percentage of assets under
management, financial planning reviews occur at regular stages depending on the nature and
terms of the specific client need and the specific client engagement.
Reports: Financial planning clients will receive a completed financial plan. For clients paying an
ongoing fee based on a percentage of assets under management, additional reports will
typically be provided when financial planning reviews occur.
Investment Advisory Services
Reviews: While the underlying securities within Individual Portfolio Management Services
accounts are continually monitored, these accounts are reviewed periodically. Compass Ion
monitors client portfolios as part of an ongoing process, and regular account reviews are
generally conducted on a quarterly basis. Reviews could also occur at the time of new deposits,
material changes in the client’s financial information, changes in economic cycles, at our
discretion or as often as the client directs. Reviews entail analyzing securities, sensitivity to
overall markets, economic changes, investment results, asset allocation, etc., to ensure the
investment strategy and expectations are structured to continue to meet the client’s objectives.
These reviews are conducted by one of our Investment Advisor Representatives.
Clients are encouraged to discuss their needs, goals, and objectives with Compass Ion and to
inform Compass Ion of any changes.
Reports: At least quarterly, the custodian provides clients with an account statement for each
client account, which may include individual holdings, cost basis information, deposits and
withdrawals, accrued income, dividends, and performance. Compass Ion may also provide
clients with periodic reports regarding their holdings, allocations, and performance.
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Other Compensation – Brokerage Arrangements
See disclosure in Item 12 regarding compensation, including economic benefits received in
connection with giving advice to clients.
Compensation – Client Referrals
Affiliated and Unaffiliated persons or entities (“Promoters”) may occasionally refer, solicit, or
introduce clients to Compass Ion. In return, Compass Ion may agree to compensate the
Promoter for the referral. This compensation will be made consistent with the requirements of
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and applicable state/local laws and regulations.
Compensation to the Promoter is dependent on the prospective client entering into an advisory
agreement with Compass Ion for advisory services. Compensation to the Promoter will be an
agreed-upon percentage of Compass Ion’s advisory fee which can be a one-time fee or
recurring, pursuant to a written agreement between the Firm and the Promoter.
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Item 15: Custody
Custody – Fee Debiting
Compass Ion previously disclosed in the "Fees and Compensation" section (Item 5) of this
Brochure that the Firm directly debits advisory fees from client accounts.
As part of this billing process, the client's custodian is advised of the amount of the fee to be
deducted from that client's account. On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian is required to
send to the client a statement showing all transactions within the account during the reporting
period.
Custody – First Party Money Transfers
Clients may provide Compass Ion with written ongoing authorization to wire money between
the client’s accounts held with the qualified custodian directly to an outside financial institution
(i.e., a client’s bank account). A copy of this authorization is provided to the qualified custodian.
The authorization includes the client’s name and account number(s) at the outside financial
institution(s) as required.
Custody - Access to Client Funds and/or Securities
Compass Ion is deemed to have custody over certain client assets in the form of having login
credentials for certain client accounts. We will not use login credentials for accounts at
custodians which expressly prohibit us from doing so.
Compass Ion has developed stringent internal controls and procedures over this custody
function. In addition, Compass Ion complies with the SEC’s Custody Rule, which requires an
annual surprise examination conducted by an independent accountant.
Custody – Check Signing/Bill Payments
We are deemed to have custody over certain client assets as the Firm or a related person has
check signing (i.e., authority to pay bills) authority over client accounts. This form of custody is
offered on a limited basis. We comply with the SEC’s Custody Rule with regard to the check
signing authority; annually the Firm is subject to a Surprise Examination by an independent
accountant.
Custody – Third Party Money Transfers
Clients may provide us with a standing letter of authorization (or similar asset transfer
authorization) which allows us to disburse funds on behalf of clients to third parties. We ensure
the following conditions are in place when deemed to have custody via third party money
movement:
• The client provides a Written Authorization to the custodian that includes all
appropriate information as to how the transfer should be directed;
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• The Written Authorization includes instruction to direct transfers to the third party
either on a specified schedule or from time to time;
• Appropriate verification is performed by the custodian, along with a transfer of funds
notice to the client promptly after each transfer;
• The client may terminate or change the instruction to the custodian;
• We have no authority or ability to designate or change any information about the third
party contained in the instruction;
• We maintain records showing that the third party is not a related party of the Firm or
located at the same address as the Firm; and
• The custodian sends the client a written initial notice confirming the instruction and an
annual written confirmation thereafter.
Custody – Trusteeship/Executor
Compass Ion or a related person acts as trustee for client trusts or as executor for client estates.
This form of custody is offered on a limited basis. Compass Ion complies with the SEC’s Custody
Rule with regard to the custody of the trust / estate assets; annually the Firm is subject to a
Surprise Examination by an independent accountant.
Custody – Account Statements
As described above and in Item 13, clients receive at least quarterly statements from the
broker-dealer, bank or other qualified custodian that holds and maintains client’s investment
assets. Because the custodian does not calculate the amount of the fee to be deducted, it is
important for clients to carefully review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the
calculation, among other things. Clients should contact Compass Ion directly if they believe that
there may be an error in their statement.
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Item 16: Investment Discretion
Compass Ion may accept limited power of attorney to act on a discretionary basis on behalf of
clients. A limited power of attorney allows the Firm to execute trades on behalf of clients.
When such limited powers exist between the Firm and the client, Compass Ion will have the
authority to determine, without obtaining specific client consent, both the amount and type of
securities to be bought to satisfy client account objectives.
If Compass Ion has not been given discretionary authority, Compass Ion consults with the client
prior to each trade.
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Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Proxy Voting
Compass Ion does not have any authority to and does not vote proxies on behalf of clients, nor
do we make any express or implied recommendation with respect to voting proxies. Clients
retain the sole responsibility for receiving and voting proxies that they receive directly from
either their custodian or transfer agents. Clients may contact the Firm for information about
proxy voting.
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Item 18: Financial Information
Compass Ion has no financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and
fiduciary commitments to clients and has not been the subject of bankruptcy proceedings.
Compass Ion does not require prepayment of fees of both more than $1,200 per client, and
more than six months in advance; and therefore, the Firm is not required to provide a balance
sheet to clients. Although this disclosure is required, we are not in the practice of requiring
payment of fees six months in advance.
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