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Form ADV Part 2A - Firm Brochure
Item 1: Cover Page
October 2025
Insight Advisors, LLC
10 N. State Street
Newtown, PA 18940
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Insight
Advisors, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us
by telephone at (215) 550-6011 or email mattmcinerney@myinsightadvisors.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.
Additional information about Insight Advisors, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of Insight
Advisors, LLC and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or
training. You are encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our
firm’s associates who advise you for more information on the qualifications of our firm and
our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
Insight Advisors, LLC is required to advise you of any material changes to our Firm Brochure
(“Brochure”) from our last annual update, identify those changes on the cover page of our Brochure
or on the page immediately following the cover page, or in a separate communication accompanying
our Brochure. We must state clearly that we are discussing only material changes since the last
annual update of our Brochure, and we must provide the date of the last annual update of our
Brochure.
Please note that we do not have to provide this information to a client or prospective client who has
not received a previous version of our brochure.
Since our last annual amendment filing, we have the following material changes to report:
• We have added language to Item 14 below describing our payment to SmartAsset for
prospective client referrals.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Form ADV Part 2A - Firm Brochure Item 1: Cover Page .................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes ......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4: Advisory Business ....................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees & Compensation ................................................................................................................. 6
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management ....................................................... 8
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements ............................................................................. 8
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ................................................ 9
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ......................................................................................................... 11
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations ............................................................ 12
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading12
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ............................................................................................................... 13
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ............................................................................... 16
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ............................................................................. 17
Item 15: Custody ...................................................................................................................................... 17
Item 16: Investment Discretion............................................................................................................ 18
Item 17: Voting Client Securities .......................................................................................................... 18
Item 18: Financial Information ............................................................................................................ 19
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Item 4: Advisory Business
We are dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of investment
advisory services. Our firm is a limited liability company formed in the State of Pennsylvania. Our
firm has been in business as an investment adviser since 2013 and is owned as follows:
• Thomas McInerney – 99%
• Carla Simon – 1%
We specialize in the following types of services: Comprehensive Portfolio Management, Financial
Planning & Consulting, Portfolio Monitoring and Pension Consulting. We offer individualized
investment advice to clients utilizing all of these services.
Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held
in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may not be
possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account. Restrictions would
be limited to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management and Investment Management services. We
do not manage assets through our other services.
Description of the Types of Advisory Services We Offer
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
The Asset Management component of our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service
encompasses continuous and regular account supervision. As part of our asset management service,
we generally create a portfolio, consisting of individual stocks or bonds, exchange traded funds
(“ETFs”), options, mutual funds and other public and private securities or investments. The client’s
individual investment strategy is tailored to their specific needs and may include some or all of the
previously mentioned securities. Each portfolio will be initially designed to meet a particular
investment goal, which we determine to be suitable to the client’s circumstances. Once the
appropriate portfolio has been determined, we review the portfolio at least quarterly and if
necessary, rebalance the portfolio based upon the client’s individual needs, stated goals and
objectives. Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of
investments to be held in the portfolio.
Additionally, as a part of our comprehensive offering we include providing financial
planning/financial consulting to clients. It is designed to assist clients in meeting their financial
goals through the use of financial investments. We conduct at least one, but sometimes more than
one meeting (in person if possible, otherwise via telephone conference) with clients in order to
understand their current financial situation, existing resources, financial goals, and tolerance for
risk. Based on what we learn, we propose an investment approach to the client. We may propose
an investment portfolio, consisting of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds, individual
stocks or bonds, or other securities. Upon the client’s agreement to the proposed investment plan,
we work with the client to establish or transfer investment accounts so that we can manage the
client’s portfolio. Once the relevant accounts are under our management, we review such
accounts on a regular basis and at least quarterly. We may periodically rebalance or adjust client
accounts under our management. If the client experiences any significant changes to his/her
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financial or personal circumstances, the client must notify us so that we can consider such
information in managing the client’s investments.
We may utilize the sub-advisory services of a third party investment advisory firm or individual
advisor to aid in the implementation of an investment portfolio designed by our firm. Before
selecting a firm or individual, our firm will ensure that the chosen party is properly licensed or
registered.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
We provide a variety of financial planning and consulting services to individuals, families and
other clients regarding the management of their financial resources based upon an analysis of
the client’s current situation, goals, and objectives. Generally, such financial planning services
will involve preparing a financial plan or rendering a financial consultation for clients based on
the client’s financial goals and objectives. This planning or consulting may encompass one or
more of the following areas: Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning,
Charitable Planning, Education Planning, Corporate and Personal Tax Planning, Cost Segregation
Study, Corporate Structure, Real Estate Analysis, Mortgage/Debt Analysis, Insurance Analysis,
Lines of Credit Evaluation, Business and Personal Financial Planning.
Our written financial plans or financial consultations rendered to clients usually include general
recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the clients. For
example, recommendations may be made that the clients begin or revise investment programs,
create or revise wills or trusts, obtain or revise insurance coverage, commence or alter
retirement savings, or establish education or charitable giving programs. It should also be noted
that we refer clients to an accountant, attorney or other specialist, as necessary for non-advisory
related services. For written financial planning engagements, we provide our clients with a
written summary of their financial situation, observations, and recommendations. For financial
consulting engagements, we usually do not provide our clients with a written summary of our
observations and recommendations as the process is less formal than our planning service. Plans
or consultations are typically completed within six (6) months of the client signing a contract
with us, assuming that all the information and documents we request from the client are provided
to us promptly. Implementation of the recommendations will be at the discretion of the client.
Pension Consulting:
We provide pension consulting services to employer plan sponsors on an ongoing basis.
Generally, such pension consulting services consist of assisting employer plan sponsors in
establishing, monitoring and reviewing their company's participant-directed retirement plan. As
the needs of the plan sponsor dictate, areas of advising could include: asset management,
investment options, plan structure and participant education.
All pension consulting services shall be in compliance with the applicable state law(s) regulating
pension consulting services. This applies to client accounts that are pension or other employee
benefit plans (“Plan”) governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended (“ERISA”). If the client accounts are part of a Plan, and we accept appointments to
provide our services to such accounts, we acknowledge that we are a fiduciary within the
meaning of Section 3(21) of ERISA (but only with respect to the provision of services described
in section 1 of the Pension Consulting Agreement).
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Portfolio Monitoring:
Our Portfolio Monitoring Service provides for general asset allocation guidance within
parameters of a plan held with outside custodians. Our firm will evaluate the securities offered
and advise clients on suggested allocations based on their wholistic financial picture. This service
is solely consultative in nature and involves no on-going supervision, trading, or discretion with
respect to securities transactions. Clients are responsible for placing and executing their own
trades, either on their own or with another investment adviser. We provide non-continuous and
periodic outside account monitoring.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
Our firm does not participate in a wrap fee program.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, we manage1 $700,359,160 on a discretionary basis and $12,000,000 on a
non-discretionary basis for a total of $712,359,160 in Assets Under Management.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
How We Are Compensated For Our Advisory Services
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
The maximum annual fee charged for this service will not exceed 1.50%. Our firm’s fees are billed
on a pro-rata annualized basis monthly in advance based on the value of your account on the last
day of the previous month. Our fees are generally negotiable. Unless otherwise agreed to in
writing, advisory fees shall be applicable to cash and cash equivalents. Fees will generally be
automatically deducted from your managed account*. As part of this process, you understand
and acknowledge the following:
a) You provide written authorization permitting us to be paid directly from the managed
account held by the independent custodian;
b) Our firm sends an electronic request to the custodian indicating the amount of the fee to be
paid from the client’s managed account*;
c) Your independent custodian sends statements at least quarterly to you showing the market
values for each security included in the Assets and all disbursements in your account
including the amount of the advisory fees paid to us.
*In rare cases, we will agree to direct bill clients.
1 Please note that our method for computing the amount of “client assets we manage” can be different from the method for computing
“assets under management” required for Item 5.F in Part 1A of Form ADV. However, we have chosen to follow the method outlined for
Item 5.F in Part 1A of Form ADV. If we decide to use a different method at a later date to compute “client assets we manage,” we must keep
documentation describing the method we use and inform you of the change. The amount of assets we manage may be disclosed by rounding
to the nearest $100,000. Our “as of” date must not be more than three months before the date we last updated our Brochure in response
to Item 4.E of Form ADV Part 2A.
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It should be noted that we bill on the notional value of derivatives contracts and margin balances,
which is significantly higher than their market value. This creates an incentive for us to
recommend allocations in these products as a means for increasing our billable asset levels. To
mitigate this conflict, we will review client exposure on a regular basis to ensure we adhere to
our fiduciary duty.
For the sub-advisory services rendered to our clients, our firm generally compensates third party
investment advisory firms or individual advisors a percentage of the overall investment advisory
fee charged by our firm. If such fees are assessed in addition to our fee schedule, the exact fee
charged by both our firm, and the outside manager will be split up and indicated on Schedule A
of the executed agreement or set forth in a separate agreement between the client and the
designated third party. Sub-strategies facilitated by outside managers may include the use of
borrowing which may incur a variable rate fee in addition to fees collected by Insight Advisors
and third-party managers.
Certain sub-advisory firms provide their services free of charge. This creates a conflict of interest
whereby we otherwise might have to perform these tasks in-house or hire another firm that
charges for these services. We have reviewed this conflict and determined this relationship to be
in the best interest of our clients.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
We charge on an hourly, flat, or recurring basis for financial planning and consulting services.
The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and
complexity of our engagement with you. Our hourly fee is $250, flat fees range up to $5,000 and
recurring fees are charged monthly in advance with a maximum of $575 per month. The exact
billing arrangements will be described in the executed client agreement.
We require a retainer of fifty-percent (50%) of the ultimate financial planning or consulting fee
with the remainder of the fee directly billed to you and due to us within thirty (30) days of your
financial plan being delivered or consultation rendered to you. In all cases, we will not require a
retainer exceeding $1,200 when services cannot be rendered within 6 (six) months.
Pension Consulting:
We charge on an hourly, flat fee, and percentage of assets basis for pension consulting services.
The total estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and
complexity of our engagement with you. Our hourly fee is $250, the maximum AUM based fee
shall be 1.0%, and our flat fees range from $1,000 to $5,000. Flat fees will be charged annually for
ongoing pension consulting services.
The fee-paying arrangements for pension consulting service will be determined on a case-by-case
basis and will be detailed in the signed Pension Consulting Agreement. The client will be invoiced
directly for the fees.
Portfolio Monitoring:
The maximum annual fee charged for this service shall be 25 basis points. Our firm’s fees are
billed on a pro-rata annualized basis monthly in advance based on the value of your account on
the last day of the previous month. Our fees are generally negotiable.
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Other Types of Fees or Expenses Clients May Pay
Clients will incur transaction charges for trades executed in their accounts. These transaction fees
are separate from our fees and will be disclosed by the firm that the trades are executed through.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., our recommended custodian, does not charge transaction fees for U.S.
listed equities and exchange traded funds.
Clients may also pay holdings charges imposed by the chosen custodian for certain investments,
charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund, which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees and other fund expenses), distribution
fees, surrender charges, variable annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, mark-ups and
mark-downs, spreads paid to market makers, fees for trades executed away from custodian, wire
transfer fees and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Our firm
does not receive a portion of these fees.
Refunds Following Termination
We charge our advisory fees monthly in advance. In the event that you wish to terminate our services,
we will refund the unearned portion of our advisory fee to you. You need to contact us in writing and
state that you wish to terminate our services. Upon receipt of your letter of termination, we will
proceed to close out your account and process a pro-rata refund of unearned advisory fees.
Commissionable Securities Sales
In order to sell securities for a commission, our supervised persons are registered representatives of
Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Inc. (“PKS”), member FINRA/SIPC. Our supervised persons may
accept compensation for the sale of securities or other investment products, including distribution
or service (“trail”) fees from the sale of mutual funds. You should be aware that the practice of
accepting commissions for the sale of securities:
1) Presents a conflict of interest and gives our firm and/or our supervised persons an incentive to
recommend investment products based on the compensation received, rather than on your
needs. We generally address commissionable sales conflicts that arise:
a) when explaining to clients that commissionable securities sales creates an incentive to
recommend products based on the compensation we and/or our supervised persons may
earn and may not necessarily be in the best interests of the client;
b) when recommending commissionable mutual funds, explaining that “no-load” funds are also
available.
2) In no way prohibits you from purchasing investment products recommended by us through other
brokers or agents which are not affiliated with us.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
We do not accept performance-based fees.
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
We have the following types of clients:
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•
Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals;
• Trusts, Estates or Charitable Organizations;
• Pension and Profit Sharing Plans;
• Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and/or Other Business Types.
We do not have requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis:
We use the following methods of analysis in formulating our investment advice and/or managing
client assets:
• Charting. In this type of technical analysis, we review charts of market and security activity in an
attempt to identify when the market is moving up or down and to predict when how long the
trend may last and when that trend might reverse.
• Cyclical Analysis. In this type of technical analysis, we measure the movements of a particular
stock against the overall market in an attempt to predict the price movement of the security.
• Fundamental Analysis. We attempt to measure the intrinsic value of a security by looking at
economic and financial factors (including the overall economy, industry conditions, and the
financial condition and management of the company itself) to determine if the company is
underpriced (indicating it may be a good time to buy) or overpriced (indicating it may be time to
sell). Fundamental analysis does not attempt to anticipate market movements. This presents a
potential risk, as the price of a security can move up or down along with the overall market
regardless of the economic and financial factors considered in evaluating the stock.
• Technical Analysis. We analyze past market movements and apply that analysis to the present
in an attempt to recognize recurring patterns of investor behavior and potentially predict future
price movement. Technical analysis does not consider the underlying financial condition of a
company. This presents a risk in that a poorly-managed or financially unsound company may
underperform regardless of market movement.
Investment Strategies We Use:
We use the following strategies in managing client accounts, provided that such strategies are
appropriate to the needs of the client and consistent with the client's investment objectives, risk
tolerance, and time horizons, among other considerations. Typically we employ this strategy when
we believe the securities to be currently undervalued, and/or we want exposure to a particular asset
class over time, regardless of the current projection for this class.
• Long-Term Purchases. When utilizing this strategy, we may purchase securities with the idea
of holding them for a relatively long time (typically held for at least a year). A risk in a long-term
purchase strategy is that by holding the security for this length of time, we may not take
advantages of short-term gains that could be profitable to a client. Moreover, if our predictions
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are incorrect, a security may decline sharply in value before we make the decision to sell.
Typically, we employ this sub-strategy when we believe the securities to be well valued; and/or
we want exposure to a particular asset class over time, regardless of the current projection for
this class.
• Short-Term Purchases. When utilizing this strategy, we may also purchase securities with the
idea of selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). We do this in an
attempt to take advantage of conditions that we believe will soon result in a price swing in the
securities we purchase.
• Trading. We purchase securities with the idea of selling them very quickly (typically within 30
days or less). We do this in an attempt to take advantage of our predictions of brief price swings.
• Options. An option is a financial derivative that represents a contract sold by one party (the
option writer) to another party (the option holder, or option buyer). The contract offers the buyer
the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a security at an agreed-upon price (the strike price)
during a certain period of time or on a specific date (exercise date). Traders use options to
speculate, which is a relatively risky practice, while hedgers use options to reduce the risk of
holding an asset.
Options on securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than an investment in the
underlying securities. Additionally, options have an expiration date, which makes them “decay”
in value over the amount of time they are held and can expire worthless. Purchasing and writing
put and call options are highly specialized activities and entail greater than ordinary investment
risks. The potential risks associated with these transactions are that (1) all options expire. The
closer the option gets to expiration, the quicker the premium in the option deteriorates; and (2)
Prices can move very quickly. Depending on factors such as time until expiration and the
relationship of the stock price to the option’s strike price, small movements in a stock can
translate into large movements in the underlying option prices. Specific strategies used by our
firm include:
1. Covered Calls: The risks associated with this type of strategy involve having the
underlying stock called away. Each contract has a strike price at which the writer of
the contract agrees to allow the purchaser call the stock away from the writer. This
can create a taxable event whereby the writer of the option is required to recognize a
capital gain on the underlying security. Furthermore, the market price could
appreciate beyond the strike price, forcing the writer to sell their holdings below
current market value.
2. Uncovered Options: Uncovered option writing
is suitable only
for the
knowledgeable investor who understands the risks, has the financial capacity and
willingness to incur potentially substantial losses, and has sufficient liquid assets to
meet applicable margin requirements. If the value of the underlying instrument
moves against an uncovered writer’s options position, our firm may request
significant additional margin payments. If an investor does not make such margin
payments, we may be forced to close stock or options positions in the investor’s
account.
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The potential loss of uncovered call writing is unlimited. The writer of an uncovered
call is in an extremely risky position and may incur large losses if the value of the
underlying instrument increases above the exercise price.
As with writing uncovered calls, the risk of writing uncovered put options is
substantial. The writer of an uncovered put option bears a risk of loss if the value of
the underlying instrument declines below the exercise price. Such loss could be
substantial if there is a significant decline in the value of the underlying instrument.
• Risk of Loss. Securities investments are not guaranteed and you may lose money on your
investments. We ask that you work with us to help us understand your tolerance for risk.
Margin Transactions: Our firm may purchase securities for your portfolio with money borrowed
from your brokerage account. This allows you to purchase more stock than you would be able to with
your available cash and allows us to purchase securities without selling other holdings. Margin
accounts and transactions are risky and not necessarily appropriate for every client. It should be
noted that our firm bills advisory fees on securities purchased on margin which creates a financial
incentive for us to utilize margin in client accounts.
The potential risks associated with these transactions are (1) You can lose more funds than are
deposited into the margin account; (2) the forced sale of securities or other assets in your account;
(3) the sale of securities or other assets without contacting you; (4) you may not be entitled to choose
which securities or other assets in your account(s) are liquidated or sold to meet a margin call; and
(5) custodians charge interest on margin balances which will reduce your returns over time.
Cryptocurrency Products: We may recommend investment in digital (crypto) currency products.
These products may be an illiquid private placement or structured as a trust or exchange traded fund
which pool capital together to purchase holdings of digital currencies or derivatives based on their
value. Such products are extremely volatile and are suitable only as a means of diversification for
investors with high risk tolerances. Furthermore, these securities carry very high internal expense
ratios, and may use derivatives to achieve leverage or exposure in lieu of direct cryptocurrency
holdings. This can result in tracking error and may sell at a premium or discount to the market value
of their underlying holdings. Security is also a concern for digital currency investments which make
them subject to the additional risk of theft.
Please Note:
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock
market may increase and your account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market
may decrease and your account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that you understand the risks
associated with investing in the stock market, are appropriately diversified in your investments, and
ask us any questions you may have.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to your evaluation of our firm or the integrity of our firm’s
management. We have no information applicable to this Item.
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Representatives of our firm are registered representatives of Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments,
Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. They may offer securities and receive normal and customary commissions
as a result of securities transactions. A conflict of interest may arise as these commissionable
securities sales may create an incentive to recommend products based on the compensation they
may earn and may not necessarily be in the best interests of the client.
Representatives of our firm are insurance agents/brokers. They may offer insurance products and
receive customary fees as a result of insurance sales. A conflict of interest may arise as these
insurance sales may create an incentive to recommend products based on the compensation adviser
and/or our supervised persons may earn and may not necessarily be in the best interests of the client.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions & Personal Trading
We recognize that the personal investment transactions of members and employees of our firm demand
the application of a high Code of Ethics and require that all such transactions be carried out in a way that
does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, we believe that if investment goals are
similar for clients and for members and employees of our firm, it is logical and even desirable that there
be common ownership of some securities.
Therefore, in order to prevent conflicts of interest, we have in place a set of procedures (including a pre-
clearing procedure) with respect to transactions effected by our members, officers and employees for
their personal accounts2. In order to monitor compliance with our personal trading policy, we have a
quarterly securities transaction reporting system for all of our associates.
Furthermore, our firm has established a Code of Ethics which applies to all of our associated persons. An
investment adviser is considered a fiduciary. As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility
to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of our
clients at all times. We have a fiduciary duty to all clients. Our fiduciary duty is considered the core
underlying principle for our Code of Ethics which also includes Insider Trading and Personal Securities
Transactions Policies and Procedures. We require all of our supervised persons to conduct business with
the highest level of ethical standards and to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times.
Upon employment or affiliation and at least annually thereafter, all supervised persons will sign an
acknowledgement that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with our Code of Ethics. Our
firm and supervised persons must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all
circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to all clients.
This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics. However, if a client or a
potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy will be provided promptly upon
request.
2 For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse,
his/her minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our
associate controls, including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in.
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Neither our firm nor a related person recommends to clients, or buys or sells for client accounts,
securities in which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also
recommended to clients. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place
client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which
is available upon request. Please see Item 11A of this Brochure for more information.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities for themselves at or about the same time they buy
or sell the same securities for client accounts. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related
persons will place client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a
copy of which is available upon request. If related persons’ accounts are included in a block trade, our
related persons will always trade personal accounts last.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
We seek to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold your assets and execute transactions on
terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available providers and their
services. We consider a wide range of factors, including, among others, these:
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of trading intentions
• Timeliness of execution
• Timeliness and accuracy of trade confirmations
• Liquidity of the securities traded
• Willingness to commit capital
• Ability to place trades in difficult market environments
• Research services provided
• Ability to provide investment ideas
• Execution facilitation services provided
• Record keeping services provided
• Custody services provided
• Frequency and correction of trading errors
• Ability to access a variety of market venues
• Expertise as it relates to specific securities
• Financial condition
• Business reputation
With this in consideration, our firm has an arrangement with Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”).
Schwab offers non-soft dollar services to independent registered investment advisers, which include
custody of securities, trade execution, clearance and settlement of transactions. We receive some
non-soft dollar benefits from Schwab through our participation in Schwab’s program. (Please see the
disclosure under Item 14 of this Brochure.)
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Research & Other Soft Dollar Benefits
For our clients’ accounts that Schwab maintains, Schwab generally does not charge you separately
for custody services but is compensated by charging you commissions or other fees on trades that it
executes or that settle into your Schwab account. Certain trades (for example, many mutual funds
and ETFs) may not incur Schwab commissions or transaction fees. Schwab is also compensated by
earning interest on the uninvested cash in your account in Schwab’s Cash Features Program. In
addition to commissions, Schwab charges you a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or “trade
away” fee for each trade that we have executed by a different broker-dealer but where the securities
bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited (settled) into your Schwab account. These
fees are in addition to the commissions or other compensation you pay the executing broker-dealer.
Because of this, in order to minimize your trading costs, we have Schwab execute most trades for
your account. We have determined that having Schwab execute most trades is consistent with our
duty to seek “best execution” of your trades. Best execution means the most favorable terms for a
transaction based on all relevant factors, including those listed above (see “How we select
brokers/custodians”).
Products and services available to us from Schwab. Schwab Advisor Services™ is Schwab’s
business serving independent investment advisory firms like us. They provide us and our clients
with access to their institutional brokerage services (trading, custody, reporting, and related
services), many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail customers. Schwab also makes
available various support services. Some of those services help us manage or administer our clients’
accounts, while others help us manage and grow our business. Schwab’s support services are
generally available on an unsolicited basis (we don’t have to request them) and at no charge to us.
Following is a more detailed description of Schwab’s support services:
Services that benefit you. Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range
of investment products, execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The
investment products available through Schwab include some to which we might not otherwise have
access or that would require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by our clients.
Schwab’s services described in this paragraph generally benefit you and your account.
Services that may not directly benefit you. Schwab also makes available to us other products and
services that benefit us but may not directly benefit you or your account. These products and services
assist us in managing and administering our clients’ accounts. They include investment research,
both Schwab’s own and that of third parties. We may use this research to service all or a substantial
number of our clients’ accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. In addition to
investment research, Schwab also makes available software and other technology that:
• Provide access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements)
• Facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts
• Provide pricing and other market data
• Facilitate payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts
• Assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and client reporting
Services that generally benefit only us. Schwab also offers other services intended to help us
manage and further develop our business enterprise. These services include:
• Educational conferences and events
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• Consulting on technology, compliance, legal, and business needs
• Publications and conferences on practice management and business succession
• Access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and insurance providers
• Marketing consulting and support
Schwab may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party
vendors to provide the services to us. Schwab may also discount or waive its fees for some of these
services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide us with other benefits,
such as occasional business entertainment of our personnel.
Our interest in Schwab’s services. The availability of these services from Schwab benefits us
because we do not have to produce or purchase them. We don’t have to pay for Schwab’s services.
These services are not contingent upon us committing any specific amount of business to Schwab in
trading commissions or assets in custody. This creates an incentive to recommend/request/require
that you maintain your account with Schwab, based on our interest in receiving Schwab’s services
that benefit our business rather than based on your interest in receiving the best value in custody
services and the most favorable execution of your transactions. This is a conflict of interest. In some
cases, the services that Schwab pays for are provided by an affiliate of ours or by another party that
has some pecuniary, financial or other interests in us (or in which we have such an interest). This
creates an additional conflict of interest. We believe, however, that our selection of Schwab as
custodian and broker is in the best interests of our clients. Our selection is primarily supported by
the scope, quality, and price of Schwab’s services (see “How we select brokers/ custodians”) and not
Schwab’s services that benefit only us.
Brokerage For Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
Neither we nor any of our firm’s related persons have discretionary authority in making the
determination of the brokers with whom orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed for
execution, and the commission rates at which such securities transactions are effected. We routinely
recommend that a client directs us to execute through a specified broker-dealer. Our firm
recommends the use of Schwab. Each client will be required to establish their account(s) with Schwab
if not already done. Please note that not all advisers have this requirement.
We allow clients to direct brokerage outside our recommendation. However, we may be unable to
achieve the most favorable execution of client transactions. Client directed brokerage may cost
clients more money. For example, in a directed brokerage account, you may pay higher brokerage
commissions because we may not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, or you may
receive less favorable prices.
Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
A retirement or ERISA plan client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its account
through a specific broker or dealer in order to obtain goods or services on behalf of the plan. Such
direction is permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable expenses of the
plan incurred in the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise would be obligated and
empowered to pay. ERISA prohibits directed brokerage arrangements when the goods or services
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purchased are not for the exclusive benefit of the plan. Consequently, we will request that plan
sponsors who direct plan brokerage provide us with a letter documenting that this arrangement will
be for the exclusive benefit of the plan.
Aggregation of the Purchase or Sale of Securities
We perform investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which
portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment
objectives. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or
disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts, they are affected only when we believe that to
do so will be in the best interest of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur,
the objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts
involved. In any given situation, we attempt to allocate trade executions in the most equitable manner
possible, taking into consideration client objectives, current asset allocation and availability of funds
using price averaging, proration and consistently non-arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
We review accounts on at least a quarterly basis for our clients subscribing to our Comprehensive
Portfolio Management service. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether clients’ accounts are
in line with their investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market conditions, and
investment policies, if applicable. Only our Financial Advisors or Portfolio Managers will conduct
reviews. We may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors
which may trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events,
requests by the client, etc. We do not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so. Verbal
reports to clients take place on at least an annual basis when we contact clients who subscribe to our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management service.
Pension Consulting clients receive reviews of their pension plans for the duration of the pension
consulting service. We also provide ongoing services to Pension Consulting clients where we meet
with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to their plans, changes in their circumstances,
etc. Pension Consulting clients do not receive written or verbal updated reports regarding their
pension plans unless they choose to contract with us for ongoing Pension Consulting services.
Financial Planning clients do not receive reviews of their written plans unless they are engaged in
one of our ongoing offerings or take action to schedule a financial consultation with us. We do not
provide ongoing services to Financial Planning clients other than those engaged in one of our ongoing
offerings, but are willing to meet with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to their
plans, changes in their circumstances, etc. Financial Planning clients not engaged in one of our
ongoing offerings do not receive written or verbal updated reports regarding their financial plans
unless they separately contract with us for a post-financial plan meeting or update to their initial
written financial plan.
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Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Schwab
Our firm receives economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services
made available to our firm and other independent investment advisors that have their clients
maintain accounts at Schwab. These products and services, how they benefit our firm, and the related
conflicts of interest are described above (see Item 12 – Brokerage Practices). The availability of
Schwab’s products and services is not based on our firm giving particular investment advice, such as
buying particular securities for our clients.
Product Sponsors
Our firm occasionally sponsors events in conjunction with our product providers in an effort to keep
our clients informed as to the services we offer and the various financial products we utilize. These
events are educational in nature and are not dependent upon the use of any specific product. While
a conflict of interest may exist because these events are at least partially funded by product sponsors,
all funds received from product sponsors are used for the education of our clients. We will always
adhere to our fiduciary duty in recommending appropriate investments for our clients.
Additionally, Representatives of our firm will occasionally accept travel expense reimbursement
provided by product sponsors in order to attend their educational events. The reimbursement is not
directly dependent upon the recommendation of any specific product. Although we may be
incentivized to recommend products from product sponsors that reimburse our travel, our
representatives will always adhere to their fiduciary duty in recommending appropriate investments
for our clients.
Client Referrals
Our firm utilizes the lead generation services of SmartAsset to provide us with prospective client
contact information in exchange for a fixed monthly subscription fee. The fees we pay to these
platforms are not contingent upon whether prospective clients ultimately choose to engage our firm
for advisory services. We will not charge referred clients any fees or costs higher than our standard
fee schedule offered to clients. Additionally, in accordance with Rule 206(4)-1 of the Investment
Advisers Act, all clients referred to our firm will be given a written disclosure describing the terms
and compensation arrangements between our firm and SmartAsset.
Item 15: Custody
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets (which are maintained by a
qualified custodian, as discussed above), we are deemed to have custody of certain client assets if
given the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts, as further described below under “Third
Party Money Movement.” All our clients receive account statements directly from their qualified
custodian(s) at least quarterly upon opening of an account. We urge our clients to carefully review
these statements. Additionally, if our firm decides to send its own account statements to clients, such
statements will include a legend that recommends the client compare the account statements
received from the qualified custodian with those received from our firm. Clients are encouraged to
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raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their assets and our custodial
recommendations.
Third Party Money Movement:
On February 21, 2017, the SEC issued a no‐action letter (“Letter”) with respect to Rule 206(4)‐2
(“Custody Rule”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided
guidance on the Custody Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who has the power to disburse client
funds to a third party under a standing letter of authorization (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody.
As such, our firm has adopted the following safeguards in conjunction with our custodian:
• The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
• The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s
form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or
from time to time.
• The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as
a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization and provides a
transfer of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
• The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified
custodian.
• The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the
client’s instruction.
• The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related
party of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
• The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
an executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, we are
authorized to execute securities transactions, which securities are bought and sold, the total amount
to be bought and sold, and the costs at which the transactions will be effected. Limitations may be
imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of discretion with our
firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Our firm no longer accepts the proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies
or other solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are
sent to our firm, our firm will forward them to the appropriate client and ask the party who sent them
to mail them directly to the client in the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions
they may have about particular proxy votes or other solicitations.
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Third party money managers selected or recommended by our firm may vote proxies for clients.
Therefore, except in the event a third party money manager votes 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. Therefore (except for proxies that may be voted by a third party money manager),
our firm and/or the client shall instruct the qualified custodian to forward copies of all proxies and
shareholder communications relating to the client’s investment assets.
Item 18: Financial Information
Our firm is not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
• Our firm does not require the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees when services cannot
be rendered within 6 months.
• Our firm does not take custody of client funds or securities.
• Our firm does not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary obligations to clients.
Our firm has never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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