Overview
- Headquarters
- Mesa, AZ
- Total Firm Assets
- $1.2 billion
- Average High-Net-Worth Client Portfolio Size
- $3.2 million
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (ADV PART 2A)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 1.25% |
Minimum Annual Fee: $2,500
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $12,500 | 1.25% |
| $5 million | $62,500 | 1.25% |
| $10 million | $125,000 | 1.25% |
| $50 million | $625,000 | 1.25% |
| $100 million | $1,250,000 | 1.25% |
Clients
- High-Net-Worth Share of Firm Assets
- 38.19%
- Number of High-Net-Worth Clients
- 146
- Total Client Accounts
- 1,853
- Discretionary Accounts
- 1,853
Services Offered
Services: Financial Planning, Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Pension Consulting
Regulatory Filings
- SEC CRD Number
- 296988
Primary Brochure: ADV PART 2A (2026-08-31)
View Document Text
Item 1
Cover Page
Brochure
Dated: August 31, 2026
Scott J. Johnson, CFP®, AIF® CPFA
Chief Compliance Officer
2443 N Greenfield Road, Suite 217
Mesa, Arizona 85215
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of DecisionPoint
Financial, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (480)
553-6249. 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.
Additional information about DecisionPoint Financial, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
References herein to DecisionPoint Financial, LLC as a “registered investment adviser” or any reference to
being “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
ITEM 2
MATERIAL CHANGES
Since DecisionPoint Financial’s last Annual Amendment filing, the firm’s main office location has moved to
2443 North Greenfield Road, Mesa, Arizona 85215. There have been no other material changes.
ITEM 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 1
Cover Page ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Item 2 Material Changes ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4
Advisory Business ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 5
Fees and Compensation ........................................................................................................................... 9
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ................................................................. 11
Item 7
Types of Clients ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss .............................................................. 11
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ......................................................................................................................... 14
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................................................................. 14
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ................. 14
Item 12 Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................................. 15
Item 13 Review of Accounts ................................................................................................................................. 17
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................................................ 18
Item 15 Custody ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Item 16
Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................................. 19
Item 17 Voting Client Securities ........................................................................................................................... 19
Item 18 Financial Information .............................................................................................................................. 19
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ITEM 4
ADVISORY BUSINESS
A. DecisionPoint Financial, LLC (the “Registrant”) is a limited liability company formed in April
2018 in the state of Arizona. The Registrant became registered as an Investment Adviser
Firm in May 2018. The Registrant is owned by the Johnson Family Trust, for which Scott
Johnson and Sarah Johnson serve as Trustees and CK Harrison Family Trust, for which
Curtis Harrison and Kailey Harrison serve as Trustee.
B.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The Registrant provides discretionary investment advisory services on a fee-only basis. The
Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee is based upon a percentage (%) of the market
value of the assets placed under the Registrant’s management, generally between
negotiable and 1.25%.
Registrant's annual investment advisory fee shall include investment advisory services,
and, to the extent specifically requested by the client, financial planning and consulting
services. In the event that the client requires extraordinary planning and/or consultation
services (to be determined in the sole discretion of the Registrant), the Registrant may
determine to charge for such additional services, the dollar amount of which shall be set
forth in a separate written notice to the client.
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
The Registrant provides pension consulting services, in the capacity of a 3(21) and 3(38)
advisor, pursuant to which it assists sponsors of self-directed retirement plans with the
selection and/or monitoring of investment alternatives (generally open-end mutual funds)
from which plan participants shall choose in self-directing the investments for their
individual plan retirement accounts. In addition, to the extent requested by the plan
sponsor, the Registrant may also provide participant education designed to assist
participants in identifying the appropriate investment strategy for their retirement plan
accounts. The terms and conditions of the engagement shall generally be set forth in a
Retirement Plan Services Agreement between the Registrant and the plan sponsor.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant provides financial planning and/or consulting services (including investment
and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance planning, etc.)
on a stand-alone separate fee basis. Registrant’s planning and consulting fees are
negotiable, but generally range from $2,000 to $15,000 on a fixed fee basis, and from
$150 to $300 on an hourly rate basis, depending upon the level and scope of the service(s)
required and the professional(s) rendering the service(s).
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Prior to engaging the Registrant to provide planning or consulting services, clients are
generally required to enter into a Financial Planning and Consulting Agreement with
Registrant setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement (including
termination), describing the scope of the services to be provided, and the portion of the
fee that is due from the client prior to Registrant commencing services.
If requested by the client, Registrant may recommend the services of other professionals
for implementation purposes. The client is under no obligation to engage the services of
any such recommended professionals. The client retains absolute discretion over all such
implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from the
Registrant. It remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is
ever any change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of
reviewing, evaluating or revising Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
MISCELLANEOUS
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation.
As indicated above, to the extent requested by a client, Registrant may provide financial
planning and related consulting services. Neither the Registrant nor its investment adviser
representatives assist clients with the implementation of any financial plan, unless they
have agreed to do so in writing. The Registrant does not monitor a client’s financial plan,
and it is the client’s responsibility to revisit the financial plan with the Registrant, if desired.
The Registrant may provide financial planning and related consulting services regarding
non-investment related matters, such as estate planning, tax planning, insurance, etc. The
Registrant does not serve as an attorney or accountant, and no portion of its services
should be construed as legal or accounting services. Accordingly, the Registrant does not
prepare estate planning documents or tax returns. To the extent requested by a client,
Registrant may recommend the services of other professionals for certain non-investment
implementation purpose (i.e., attorneys, accountants, insurance, etc.).
The client is under no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended
professional. The client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions
and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from Registrant and/or its
representatives. If the client engages any recommended unaffiliated professional, and a
dispute arises thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek recourse
exclusively from and against the engaged professional. At all times, the engaged licensed
professional[s] (i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.), and not the Registrant,
shall be responsible for the quality and competency of the services provided.
Retirement Rollovers-Potential for Conflict of Interest: A client or prospective client leaving
an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan (and may
engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former employer’s
plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is available
and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), or
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(iv) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the client’s age, result in
adverse tax consequences). If Registrant recommends that a client roll over their
retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Registrant, such a
recommendation creates a conflict of interest if Registrant will earn new (or increase its
current) compensation as a result of the rollover. If Registrant provides a recommendation
as to whether a client should engage in a rollover or not (whether it is from an employer’s
plan or an existing IRA), Registrant is acting as a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. No client is under any obligation
to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by Registrant, whether it is from
an employer’s plan or an existing IRA.
Use of Mutual and Exchange Traded Funds. Most mutual funds and exchange traded funds
are available directly to the public. Therefore, a prospective client can obtain many of the
funds that may be utilized by Registrant independent of engaging Registrant as an
investment advisor. However, if a prospective client determines to do so, he/she will not
receive Registrant’s initial and ongoing investment advisory services.
In addition to Registrant’s investment advisory fee described below, and transaction and/or
custodial fees discussed below, clients will also incur, relative to all mutual fund and
exchange traded fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g., management
fees and other fund expenses).
Use of DFA Mutual Funds. Certain mutual funds, such as those issued by Dimensional Fund
Advisors (“DFA”), are generally only available through selected registered investment
advisers. Registrant may allocate client investment assets to DFA mutual funds. Therefore,
upon the termination of Registrant’s services to a client, restrictions regarding
transferability and/or additional purchases of, or reallocation among DFA funds will apply.
Socially Responsible (ESG) Investing Limitations. Socially Responsible Investing involves
the incorporation of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) considerations into the
investment due diligence process. Registrant does not maintain or advocate an ESG
investment strategy but will seek to employ ESG if directed by a client to do so. If
implemented, Registrant shall rely upon the assessments undertaken by the unaffiliated
mutual fund, exchange traded fund or separate account portfolio manager to determine
that the fund’s or portfolio’s underlying company securities meet a socially responsible
mandate.
ESG investing incorporates a set of criteria/factors used in evaluating potential
investments: Environmental (i.e., considers how a company safeguards the environment);
Social (i.e., the manner in which a company manages relationships with its employees,
customers, and the communities in which it operates); and Governance (i.e., company
management considerations). The number of companies that meet an acceptable ESG
mandate can be limited when compared to those that do not and could underperform
broad market indices.
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Investors must accept these limitations, including potential for underperformance.
Correspondingly, the number of ESG mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are limited
when compared to those that do not maintain such a mandate. As with any type of
investment (including any investment and/or investment strategies recommended and/or
undertaken by Registrant), there can be no assurance that investment in ESG securities or
funds will be profitable or prove successful.
Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, and Digital Assets. The Registrant does not recommend or
advocate for the purchase of, or investment in, Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, or digital assets.
Such investments are considered speculative and carry significant risk. For clients who
want exposure to Bitcoin, cryptocurrencies, or digital assets, the Registrant, may advise
the client to consider a potential investment in corresponding exchange traded securities,
or an allocation to separate account managers and/or private funds that provide
cryptocurrency exposure.
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are digital assets that can be used for various purposes,
including transactions, decentralized applications, and speculative investments. Most digital
assets use blockchain technology, an advanced cryptographic digital ledger to secure
transactions and validate asset ownership. Unlike conventional currencies issued and
regulated by monetary authorities, cryptocurrencies generally operate without centralized
control, and their value is determined by market supply and demand. While regulatory
oversight of digital assets has evolved significantly since their inception, they remain
subject to variable regulatory treatment globally, which may impact their risk profile and
liquidity.
Given that cryptocurrency investments are speculative and subject to extreme price
volatility, liquidity constraints, and the potential for total loss of principal, the Registrant
does not exercise discretionary authority to purchase cryptocurrency investments for client
accounts. Any investment in cryptocurrencies must be expressly authorized by the client.
Clients who authorize the purchase of a cryptocurrency investment must be prepared for
the potential for liquidity constraints, extreme price volatility, regulatory risk, technological
risk, security and custody risk, and complete loss of principal.
Portfolio Activity. Registrant has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the
client’s best interest. As part of its investment advisory services, Registrant will review
client portfolios on an ongoing basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon
various factors, including, but not limited to, investment performance, fund manager
tenure, style drift, account additions/withdrawals, and/or a change in the client’s
investment objective. Based upon these factors, there may be extended periods of time
when Registrant determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are neither necessary nor
prudent. Clients nonetheless remain subject to the fees described in Item 5 below during
periods of account inactivity.
Cash Positions. Registrant continues to treat cash as an asset class. As such, unless
determined to the contrary by Registrant, all cash positions (money markets, etc.) shall
continue to be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating
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Registrant’s advisory fee. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or
anticipated market conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated
market conditions/events will occur), Registrant may maintain cash positions for defensive
purposes. In addition, while assets are maintained in cash, such amounts could miss
market advances. Depending upon current yields, at any point in time, Registrant’s
advisory fee could exceed the interest paid by the client’s money market fund.
Cash Sweep Accounts. Certain account custodians can require that cash proceeds from
account transactions or new deposits, be swept to and/or initially maintained in a
specific custodian designated sweep account. The yield on the sweep account will generally
be lower than those available for other money market accounts. When this occurs, to help
mitigate the corresponding yield dispersion Registrant shall (usually within 30 days
thereafter) generally (with exceptions) purchase a higher yielding money market fund (or
other type security) available on the custodian’s platform, unless Registrant reasonably
anticipates that it will utilize the cash proceeds during the subsequent 30-day period to
purchase additional investments for the client’s account. Exceptions and/or modifications
can and will occur with respect to all or a portion of the cash balances for various reasons,
including, but not limited to the amount of dispersion between the sweep account and a
money market fund, the size of the cash balance, an indication from the client of an
imminent need for such cash, or the client has a demonstrated history of writing checks
from the account.
The above does not apply to the cash component maintained within a Registrant actively
managed investment strategy (the cash balances for which shall generally remain in the
custodian designated cash sweep account), an indication from the client of a need for
access to such cash, assets allocated to an unaffiliated investment manager and cash
balances maintained for fee billing purposes.
The client shall remain exclusively responsible for yield dispersion/cash balance decisions
and corresponding transactions for cash balances maintained in any Registrant unmanaged
accounts.
Client Obligations. In performing its services, Registrant shall not be required to verify any
information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals, and is
expressly authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains their
responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any change in their financial
situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising
Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Artificial Intelligence. The Registrant may use certain Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) tools in
connection with its investment advisory services. The Registrant has adopted an AI Policy
that governs the appropriate use of AI tools to ensure that the Registrant and its employees
abide by their fiduciary duty and comply with all applicable regulations. AI tools are not
used by the Registrant as a substitute for professional judgment by the Registrant or its
employees, and all AI generated output is reviewed by the Registrant for accuracy. All
investment decisions and recommendations are made and approved by the Registrant. The
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use of AI tools does not guarantee the accuracy of analyses or the success of any
investment strategy. Clients should not assume that reliance on AI tools results in better
performance or reduces risk. AI tools involve limitations and risks that the Registrant
monitors and manages. These risks include, but are not limited to, data security concerns,
potential inaccuracies, and possible algorithmic biases. To mitigate these risks, the
Registrant has implemented controls such as pre-approval requirements for AI tools,
restrictions on providing nonpublic personal information to public AI systems, vendor due
diligence, review of AI-generated materials, and employee training on appropriate AI
usage.
Cybersecurity Risk. The information technology systems and networks that Registrant and
its third-party service providers use to provide services to Registrant’s clients employ
various controls that are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from
intentional or unintentional actions that could cause significant interruptions in Registrant’s
operations and/or result in the unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or
non-public personal information. Clients and Registrant are nonetheless subject to the risk
of cybersecurity incidents that could ultimately cause them to incur financial losses and/or
other adverse consequences. Although the Registrant has established processes to reduce
the risk of cybersecurity incidents, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be
successful, especially considering that the Registrant does not control the cybersecurity
measures and policies employed by third-party service providers, issuers of securities,
broker-dealers, qualified custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities,
exchanges and other financial market operators and providers.
Client Privacy and Confidentiality. The Registrant maintains policies and procedures
designed to help protect the confidentiality and security of client nonpublic personal
information (“NPPI”). NPPI includes, but is not limited to, social security numbers, credit
or debit card numbers, state identification card numbers, driver’s license number and
account numbers. The Registrant maintains administrative, technical, and physical
safeguards designed to protect such information from unauthorized access, use, loss, or
destruction. These safeguards include controls relating to data access, information
security, and incident response, and are reviewed to address changes in risk and business.
Client information may be disclosed in response to regulatory requests, legal obligations,
or as otherwise permitted by law, and any such disclosure is made in accordance with
applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.
The Registrant may engage non-affiliated service providers in connection with providing
advisory services, and such providers may have access to client NPPI, as necessary, to
perform their functions. The Registrant confirms that service providers maintain safeguards
designed to protect client information from unauthorized access or use and provide notice
to the Registrant in the event of a cybersecurity incident involving client information
maintained by the service provider. While the Registrant maintains policies and procedures
designed to protect client information, such measures cannot eliminate all risk. The
Registrant will notify clients in the event of a data breach involving their NPPI as may be
required by applicable state and federal laws.
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Disclosure Statement. A copy of the Registrant’s written Brochure and Client Relationship
Summary, as set forth on Part 2 of Form ADV and Form CRS respectively, shall be provided
to each client prior to, or contemporaneously with, the execution of the Investment
Advisory Agreement, Retirement Plan Services Agreement or Financial Planning and
Consulting Agreement.
investment advisory services, an
C. The Registrant shall provide investment advisory services specific to the needs of each
investment adviser
client. Prior to providing
representative will ascertain each client’s investment objective(s). Thereafter, the
Registrant shall allocate and/or recommend that the client allocate investment assets
consistent with the designated investment objective(s). The client may, at any time,
impose reasonable restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s services.
D. The Registrant does not participate in a wrap fee program.
E. As of February 28, 2026, the Registrant had $1,224,256,610 in assets under management
on a discretionary basis.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
The Registrant may be engaged to provide discretionary investment advisory services on
a fee-only basis, the Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee shall vary from negotiable
up to 1.25% of the total assets placed under the Registrant’s management/advisement
and shall be based upon various objective and subjective factors. These factors include,
but are not limited to, the amount of the assets placed under the Registrant’s management,
the level and scope of the overall investment advisory services to be rendered and the
complexity of the engagement.
Fee Differentials. The Registrant shall price its services based upon various objective and
subjective factors. As a result, the Registrant’s clients could pay diverse fees based upon
the market value of their assets, the complexity of the engagement, and the level and
scope of the overall financial planning and/or consulting services to be rendered. The
services to be provided by the Registrant to any particular client could be available from
other advisers at lower fees. All clients and prospective clients should be guided
accordingly.
RETIREMENT PLAN CONSULTING SERVICES
The Registrant provides pension consulting services, in the capacity of a 3(21) and 3(38)
advisor, pursuant to which it assists sponsors of self-directed retirement plans with the
selection and/or monitoring of investment alternatives from which plan participants shall
choose in self-directing the investments for their individual plan retirement accounts. The
9
Registrant’s annual fee for these services shall generally range from negotiable up to
1.00% of the total assets maintained within the plan.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant may be engaged to provide financial planning and/or consulting services
(including investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning,
insurance planning, etc.) on a stand-alone fee basis. Registrant’s planning and consulting
fees are negotiable, but generally range from $2,000 to $15,000 on a fixed fee basis, and
from $150 to $300 on an hourly rate basis, depending upon the level and scope of the
service(s) required and the professional(s) rendering the service(s).
B. Clients may elect to have the Registrant’s advisory fees deducted from their custodial
account. Both Registrant's Agreement and the custodial/clearing agreement may authorize
the custodian to debit the account for the amount of the Registrant's investment advisory
fee and to directly remit that management fee to the Registrant in compliance with
regulatory procedures. In the limited event that the Registrant bills the client directly,
payment is due upon receipt of the Registrant’s invoice.
C. As discussed below, unless the client directs otherwise or an individual client’s
circumstances require, the Registrant shall generally recommend that Charles Schwab &
Co. Inc. (“Schwab”) serve as the broker-dealer/custodian for client investment
management assets.
Broker-dealers such as Schwab charge brokerage commissions, transaction, and/or other
type fees for effecting certain types of securities transactions (i.e., including transaction
fees for certain mutual funds, and mark-ups and mark-downs charged for fixed income
transactions, etc.). The types of securities for which transaction fees, commissions, and/or
other type fees (as well as the amount of those fees) shall differ depending upon the
broker-dealer/custodian. While certain custodians, including Schwab, generally (with the
potential exception for large orders) do not currently charge fees on individual equity
transactions (including ETFs), others do.
There can be no assurance that Schwab will not change their transaction fee pricing in the
future.
Schwab may also assess fees to clients who elect to receive trade confirmations and
account statements by regular mail rather than electronically.
Clients will incur, in addition to Registrant’s investment management fee, brokerage
commissions and/or transaction fees, and, relative to all mutual fund and exchange traded
fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g., management fees and other fund
expenses).
D. The Registrant shall generally deduct fees and/or bill clients quarterly in advance, based
upon the market value of the client’s asset under management as of the last business day
of the previous quarter. In the instance that the Registrant has been engaged to provide
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Retirement Plan Consulting Services, the Registrant shall deduct fees and/or bill clients
quarterly in arrears, based upon the market value of the Plan assets as of the last business
day of the current quarter.
The Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and the client will continue
in effect until terminated by either party by written notice in accordance with the terms of
the Investment Advisory Agreement. Upon termination, the Registrant shall refund the pro-
rated portion of the advanced advisory fee paid based upon the number of days remaining
in the billing quarter.
E. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, accepts compensation from the sale of
securities or other investment product.
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Neither the Registrant nor any supervised person of the Registrant accepts performance-
based fees.
Item 7
Types of Clients
The Registrant’s clients shall generally include individuals, business entities, trusts, estates
and charitable organizations.
The Registrant generally requires a relationship minimum annual fee of $2,500. The
Registrant, in its sole discretion, may waive its minimum annual fee or charge a lesser
investment management fee based upon certain criteria (i.e., anticipated future earning
capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed,
related accounts, account composition, negotiations with client, etc.).
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
A. The Registrant may utilize the following methods of security analysis:
Fundamental - (analysis performed on historical and present data, with the goal
of making financial forecasts)
Technical – (analysis performed on historical and present data, focusing on price
and trade volume, to forecast the direction of prices)
Cyclical – (analysis performed on historical relationships between price and market
trends, to forecast the direction of prices)
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The Registrant may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
Long Term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
Short Term Purchases (securities sold within a year)
Investment Risk. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it
should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment
strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or
undertaken by the Registrant) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
Investors generally face the following types of 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 may be caused by
external factors independent of the fund’s specific investments as well as due to the
fund’s specific investments. Additionally, each security’s price will fluctuate based on
market movement and emotion, which may, or may not be due to the security’s
operations or changes in its true value. For example, political, economic and social
conditions may trigger market events which are temporarily negative, or temporarily
positive.
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as much
as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation.
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.
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.
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.
B. The Registrant’s methods of analysis do not present any significant or unusual risks.
However, every method of analysis has its own inherent risks. To perform an accurate
market analysis the Registrant must have access to current/new market information. The
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Registrant has no control over the dissemination rate of market information; therefore,
unbeknownst to the Registrant, certain analyses may be compiled with outdated market
information, severely limiting the value of the Registrant’s analysis. Furthermore, an
accurate market analysis can only produce a forecast of the direction of market values.
There can be no assurances that a forecasted change in market value will materialize into
actionable and/or profitable investment opportunities.
The Registrant’s primary investment strategies - Long Term Purchases and Short Term
Purchases - are fundamental investment strategies. However, every investment strategy
has its own inherent risks and limitations. For example, longer term investment strategies
require a longer investment time period to allow for the strategy to potentially develop.
Shorter term investment strategies require a shorter investment time period to potentially
develop but, as a result of more frequent trading, may incur higher transactional costs
when compared to a longer term investment strategy.
C. Currently, the Registrant primarily allocates client investment assets among various mutual
funds (including closed end funds) and exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), individual equities
(stocks) and debt instruments (bonds), on a discretionary basis in accordance with the
client’s designated investment objective(s).
Borrowing Against Assets/Risks. A client who has a need to borrow money could determine
to do so by using:
Margin-The account custodian or broker-dealer lends money to the client. The
custodian charges the client interest for the right to borrow money, and uses the assets
in the client’s brokerage account as collateral; and,
Pledged Assets Loan- In consideration for a lender (i.e., a bank, etc.) to make a loan
to the client, the client pledges its investment assets held at the account custodian as
collateral;
These above-described collateralized loans are generally utilized because they typically
provide more favorable interest rates than standard commercial loans. These types of
collateralized loans can assist with a pending home purchase, permit the retirement of
more expensive debt, or enable borrowing in lieu of liquidating existing account positions
and incurring capital gains taxes. However, such loans are not without potential material
risk to the client’s investment assets. The lender (i.e., custodian, bank, etc.) will have
recourse against the client’s investment assets in the event of loan default or if the assets
fall below a certain level. For this reason, Registrant does not recommend such borrowing
unless it is for specific short-term purposes (i.e., a bridge loan to purchase a new
residence). Registrant does not recommend such borrowing for investment purposes (i.e.,
to invest borrowed funds in the market). Regardless, if the client was to determine to
utilize margin or a pledged assets loan, the following economic benefits would inure to
Registrant:
by taking the loan rather than liquidating assets in the client’s account, Registrant
continues to earn a fee on such Account assets; and,
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if the client invests any portion of the loan proceeds in an account to be managed by
Registrant, Registrant will receive an advisory fee on the invested amount; and,
if Registrant’s advisory fee is based upon the higher margined account value,
Registrant will earn a correspondingly higher advisory fee. This could provide
Registrant with a disincentive to encourage the client to discontinue the use of margin.
The Client must accept the above risks and potential corresponding consequences
associated with the use of margin or a pledged assets loans.
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
Neither the Registrant nor any of its supervised persons have been the subject of a
disciplinary action.
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application
pending to register, as a broker-dealer or a registered representative of a broker-dealer.
B. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application
pending to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, a
commodity trading advisor, or a representative of the foregoing.
C. The Registrant does not have a relationship or arrangement with a related person that is
material to the Registrant’s advisory business.
D. The Registrant does not recommend or select other investment advisors for its clients for
which it receives a fee.
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
and Personal Trading
A. The Registrant maintains an investment policy relative to personal securities transactions.
This investment policy is part of Registrant’s overall Code of Ethics, which serves to
establish a standard of business conduct for all of Registrant’s Representatives that is
based upon fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust, a copy of
which is available upon request.
In accordance with Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Registrant
also maintains and enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non-public information by the Registrant or any person associated with the
Registrant.
B. Neither the Registrant nor any related person of Registrant recommends, buys, or sells for
client accounts, securities in which the Registrant or any related person of Registrant has
a material financial interest.
C. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities that are
also recommended to clients. This practice may create a situation where the Registrant
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and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to materially benefit from the
sale or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation creates a conflict of interest.
Practices such as “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security
recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the
rise in the market price which follows the recommendation) could take place if the
Registrant did not have adequate policies in place to detect such activities. In addition, this
requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-running” (i.e., personal trades executed
prior to those of the Registrant’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.
The Registrant has a personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal
securities transactions and securities holdings of each of the Registrant’s “Access Persons.”
The Registrant’s securities transaction policy requires that Access Person of the Registrant
must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written report of their
current securities holdings within ten (10) days after becoming an Access Person.
Additionally, each Access Person must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her
designee with a written report of the Access Person’s current securities holdings at least
once each twelve (12) month period thereafter on a date the Registrant selects; provided,
however that at any time that the Registrant has only one Access Person, he or she shall
not be required to submit any securities report described above.
D. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities, at or
around the same time as those securities are recommended to clients. This practice creates
a situation where the Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position
to materially benefit from the sale or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation
creates a conflict of interest. As indicated above in Item 11C, the Registrant has a personal
securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal securities transaction and
securities holdings of each of Registrant’s Access Persons.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
A. In the event that the client requests that the Registrant recommend a broker-
dealer/custodian for execution and/or custodial services (exclusive of those clients that
may direct the Registrant to use a specific broker-dealer/custodian), Registrant generally
recommends that investment management accounts be maintained at Schwab. Prior to
engaging Registrant to provide investment management services, the client will be
required to enter into a formal Investment Advisory Agreement with Registrant setting
forth the terms and conditions under which Registrant shall manage the client's assets,
and a separate custodial/clearing agreement with each designated broker-dealer/
custodian.
Factors that the Registrant considers in recommending Schwab (or any other broker-
dealer/custodian to clients) include historical relationship with the Registrant, financial
strength, reputation, execution capabilities, pricing, research, and service. Although the
commissions and/or transaction fees paid by Registrant's clients shall comply with the
Registrant's duty to seek best execution, a client may pay a commission that is higher than
another qualified broker-dealer might charge to effect the same transaction where the
Registrant determines, in good faith, that the commission/transaction fee is reasonable. In
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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 broker-dealer services, including the value of research provided, execution
capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Registrant will
seek competitive rates, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates
for client account transactions. The brokerage commissions or transaction fees charged by
the designated broker-dealer/custodian are exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant's
investment management fee. The Registrant’s best execution responsibility is qualified if
securities that it purchases for client accounts are mutual funds that trade at net asset
value as determined at the daily market close.
1. Research and Additional Benefits
Although not a material consideration when determining whether to recommend that
a client utilize the services of a particular broker-dealer/custodian, Registrant receives
from Schwab (or another broker-dealer/custodian, investment platform, unaffiliated
investment manager, vendor, unaffiliated product/fund sponsor, or vendor) support
services and/or products, certain of which assist the Registrant to better monitor and
service client accounts maintained at such institutions. Included within the support
services that may be obtained by the Registrant may be investment-related research,
pricing information and market data, software and other technology that provide
access to client account data, compliance and/or practice management-related
publications, discounted or gratis consulting services, discounted and/or gratis
attendance at conferences, meetings, and other educational and/or social events,
marketing support, computer hardware and/or software and/or other products used
by Registrant in furtherance of its investment advisory business operations.
As indicated above, certain of the support services and/or products that may be
received may assist the Registrant in managing and administering client accounts.
Others do not directly provide such assistance, but rather assist the Registrant to
manage and further develop its business enterprise.
There is no corresponding commitment made by the Registrant to Schwab or any other
entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual
funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
2. The Registrant does not receive referrals from broker-dealers.
3. The Registrant does not generally accept directed brokerage arrangements (when a
client requires that account transactions be effected through a specific broker-dealer).
In such client directed arrangements, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements
for their account with that broker-dealer, and Registrant will not seek better execution
services or prices from other broker-dealers or be able to "batch" the client's
transactions for execution through other broker-dealers with orders for other accounts
managed by Registrant. As a result, client may pay higher commissions or other
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transaction costs or greater spreads, or receive less favorable net prices, on
transactions for the account than would otherwise be the case.
In the event that the client directs Registrant to effect securities transactions for the
client's accounts through a specific broker-dealer, the client correspondingly
acknowledges that such direction may cause the accounts to incur higher commissions
or transaction costs than the accounts would otherwise incur had the client determined
to effect account transactions through alternative clearing arrangements that may be
available through Registrant. Higher transaction costs adversely impact account
performance.
Transactions for directed accounts will generally be executed following the execution
of portfolio transactions for non-directed accounts
Additional Benefits
Registrant has received from Schwab and DFA, certain additional economic benefits
(“Additional Benefits”) that may or may not be offered to the Registrant again in the
future. Specifically, the Additional Benefits include partial payment for certain client
events for the benefit of the Registrant. During the past few, Schwab and DFA have
made payments to third party vendors in connection with client events hosted by the
Registrant. Each year, those payments did not generally exceed $3,000, in the
aggregate. The Additional Benefit payments were made infrequently and irregularly
to third party service providers. Each payment was non-recurring and individually
negotiated. The Registrant has no expectation that these Additional Benefits will be
offered again; however, the Registrant reserves the right to negotiate for these
Additional Benefits in the future. Schwab and DFA provide the Additional Benefits to
Registrant in their sole discretion and at their own expense. Registrant has not
entered into any agreement with Schwab or DFA regarding the Additional Benefits.
B. To the extent that the Registrant provides investment management services to its clients,
the transactions for each client account generally will be effected independently, unless
the Registrant decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several clients at
approximately the same time. The Registrant may (but is not obligated to) combine or
“bunch” such orders to seek best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates
or to allocate equitably among the Registrant’s clients differences in prices and
commissions or other transaction costs that might have been obtained had such orders
been placed independently. Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to
price and will be allocated among clients in proportion to the purchase and sale orders
placed for each client account on any given day. The Registrant shall not receive any
additional compensation or remuneration as a result of such aggregation.
Item 13
Review of Accounts
A. For those clients to whom Registrant provides investment supervisory services, account
reviews are conducted on a periodic basis by the Registrant's Principal, at least annually.
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All investment supervisory clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to advise
the Registrant of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. All
clients (in person or via telephone) are encouraged to review financial planning issues (to
the extent applicable), investment objectives and account performance with the Registrant
on an annual basis.
B. The Registrant may conduct account reviews on an other than periodic basis upon the
occurrence of a triggering event, such as a change in client investment objectives and/or
financial situation, market corrections and client request.
C. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction confirmation notices and
regular written summary account statements directly from the broker-dealer/custodian
and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The Registrant may also provide a written
periodic report summarizing account activity and performance.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. As referenced in Item 12.A.1 above, the Registrant receives an economic benefit from
Schwab. The Registrant, without cost (and/or at a discount), receives support services
and/or products from Schwab.
There is no corresponding commitment made by the Registrant to Schwab or any other
entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual
funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
B. The Registrant does not engage individuals or entities as promoters to introduce
prospective clients to the Registrant for compensation.
Item 15
Custody
The Registrant shall have the ability to have its advisory fee for each client debited by the
custodian on a quarterly basis. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written
transaction confirmation notices and regular written summary account statements directly
from the broker-dealer/custodian and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The
Registrant may also provide a written periodic report summarizing account activity and
performance.
To the extent that the Registrant provides clients with periodic account statements or
reports, the client is urged to compare any statement or report provided by the Registrant
with the account statements received from the account custodian. The account custodian
does not verify the accuracy of the Registrant’s advisory fee calculation.
Furthermore, certain clients have established asset transfer authorizations that permit their
custodian to rely upon instructions from the Registrant to transfer client funds or securities
to third parties. These arrangements are disclosed at Item 9 of Part 1 of Form ADV.
However, in accordance with the guidance provided in the SEC’s February 21, 2017
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Investment Adviser Association No-Action Letter, the affected accounts are not subject to
an annual surprise CPA examination.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
The client can determine to engage the Registrant to provide investment advisory services
on a discretionary basis. Prior to the Registrant assuming discretionary authority over a
client’s account, client shall be required to execute an Investment Advisory Agreement,
naming the Registrant as client’s attorney and agent in fact, granting the Registrant full
authority to buy, sell, or otherwise effect investment transactions involving the assets in
the client’s name found in the discretionary account.
Clients who engage the Registrant on a discretionary basis may, at any time, impose
restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s discretionary authority (i.e., limit the
types/amounts of particular securities purchased for their account, exclude the ability to
purchase securities with an inverse relationship to the market, limit or proscribe the
Registrant’s use of margin, etc.).
Item 17
Voting Client Securities
A. The Registrant does not vote client proxies. Clients maintain exclusive responsibility for:
(1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially
owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to the
client’s investment assets.
B. Clients will receive their proxies or other solicitations directly from their custodian. Clients
may contact the Registrant to discuss any questions they may have with a particular
solicitation.
ITEM 18
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A. The Registrant does not solicit fees of more than $1,200, per client, six months or more in
advance.
B. The Registrant is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its
ability to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over
certain client accounts.
C. The Registrant has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Scott J. Johnson, remains available to address
any questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding the above disclosures
and arrangements.
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