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Item 1 – Cover Page
6510 S. Millrock Dr., Suite 275
Holladay, UT 84121
(385) 243-0553
March 11, 2026
This Brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Platform
Wealth Management, LLC, d/b/a Platform Wealth Advisors (“PWA”). If you have any questions
about the contents of this Brochure, please contact us at (385) 243-0553. 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.
PWA is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an Investment Adviser does not imply
any level of skill or training. The oral and written communications of an Adviser provide you
with information about which you determine to hire or retain an Adviser.
Additional information about PWA also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can search this site by a unique identifying number, known as
a CRD number. The CRD number for PWA is 329313.
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Item 2 – Material Changes
This Item of the Brochure will discuss only specific material changes that are made to the
Brochure since the last annual update and provide clients with a summary of such changes.
We made the following updates to our Brochure:
•
Item 5 and Item 7 have been updated to revise our fee schedule and account
minimum. New clients may be subject to higher fees than those reflected in
our previous Brochure.
We will further provide you with a new Brochure as necessary based on changes or new
information, at any time, without charge.
Currently, our Brochure may be requested by contacting Taralyn Nicholas at (435) 749-9288.
(Brochure Date: 03/11/2026)
(Date of Most Recent Annual Updating Amendment: 03/28/2025)
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Item 3 – Table of Contents
Item 1 – Cover Page ............................................................................................................................................. 1
Item 2 – Material Changes .................................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 – Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 3
Item 4 – Advisory Business ................................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.......................................................................................................................... 7
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management ..................................................................... 9
Item 7 – Types of Clients....................................................................................................................................... 9
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss.................................................................. 9
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ....................................................................................................................... 12
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .............................................................................. 12
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading ......................................... 13
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices ............................................................................................................................ 14
Item 13 – Review of Accounts ............................................................................................................................. 15
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation........................................................................................... 17
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
PWA is owned by Mr. Kirk Stovesand and PT&C Group, LLC. PWA acquired the advisory business of
Walpole Financial Advisors, LLC (“Walpole”). Walpole was originally formed in 2001 and
conducted business as a SEC-registered investment adviser until its acquisition by PWA in March
2024.
As of December 31, 2025, PWA managed $600,542,307, all on a discretionary basis. Additionally, PWA
provides ongoing monitoring, reporting and advice to approximately $37,773,904 in assets under
advisement.
Investment Management Services:
PWA manages investment portfolios for individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, charitable
organizations, corporations and small businesses. PWA will work with a client to determine the
client's investment objectives and investor risk profile and will design a written investment policy
statement (IPS). PWA uses investment and portfolio allocation software to evaluate alternative
portfolio designs. PWA evaluates the client’s existing investments with respect to the client’s
investment policy statement. PWA works with new clients to develop a plan to transition from the
client’s existing portfolio to the portfolio recommended by PWA. PWA will then continuously
monitor the client’s portfolio holdings and the overall asset allocation strategy and hold review
meetings with the client regarding the account as necessary.
PWA will typically create a portfolio of no-load mutual funds, and may use model portfolios if the
models match the client’s investment policy. PWA will allocate the client’s assets among various
investments taking into consideration the overall management style selected by the client. PWA
primarily recommends portfolios consisting of passively managed asset class and index mutual
funds. PWA primarily recommends mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that follow a
passive asset class investment philosophy with low holdings turnover.
Client portfolios may also include some individual equity securities in situations where disposition
of these securities would present an overriding tax implication or the client specifically requests
they be retained for a personal reason. These situations will be specifically identified in the client’s
IPS.
PWA manages mutual fund and equity portfolios on a discretionary basis according to the IPS
agreed to by the client. A client may impose any reasonable restrictions on PWA’s discretionary
authority, including restrictions on the types of securities in which PWA may invest client’s assets
and on specific securities, which the client may believe to be appropriate.
PWA has retained Focus Partners Advisor Solutions (“FPAS”) to act as a discretionary sub-advisor.
FPAS shall provide various model asset allocation portfolios (each a “Portfolio”, collectively
“Portfolios”) for selection by PWA. Each Portfolio strives to achieve long-term risk and return
objectives through diversification among multiple asset classes using investment options available
to FPAS, which may include, but are not limited to, mutual funds and/or ETFs from Dimensional
Fund Advisors LP, Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., AQR Capital Management, LLC, The
Vanguard Group, Inc., Stoneridge Asset Management, LLC, or other providers selected by FPAS.
Each Portfolio is designed to meet a particular investment goal which PWA has determined is
suitable based on the client's circumstances. Once the appropriate Portfolio(s) has been
determined, the Portfolio will continuously be managed based on the portfolio’s goal and FPAS
will have the discretionary authority to manage the Portfolio(s), including periodically rebalancing.
However, PWA, on behalf of its client, will have the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions
on the types of investments to be held in the portfolio. Should material life events occur, clients
should immediately contact PWA to determine if changes to an account and the allocation of the
assets held in the account are necessary.
On an ongoing basis, PWA will answer clients’ inquiries regarding their accounts and review
periodically with clients the performance of their accounts. PWA will periodically, and at least
annually, review clients’ IPS, risk profile and discuss the re-balancing of each client's accounts to
the extent appropriate. PWA will provide to FPAS any updated client financial information or
account restrictions necessary for FPAS to provide sub-advisory services.
In addition to managing the client’s investment portfolio, PWA may consult with clients on various
financial areas including income and estate tax planning, business sale structures, college financial
planning, retirement planning, insurance analysis, personal cash flow analysis, establishment and
design of retirement plans and trust designs, among other things.
PWA does not participate in or sponsor any wrap fee programs.
Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services:
PWA also provides advisory services to employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k), profit
sharing, and other participate-directed plans) through third-party administration services, which
are online bundled service providers offering and opportunity for plan sponsors to provide their
participants with daily account access, valuation, and investment education.
For employer sponsored plans, the plan (and its sponsor) is the client. PWA will also provide
individual retirement arrangements (e.g., IRAs, SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, and owner only/solo
401(k)s). For individual arrangements, the account holder is the client, and services are delivered
as part of the client’s overall investment advisory program. Fees for individual participants are
charged under the client’s standard fee schedule.
PWA will recommend changes in the plan's investment vehicles as may be appropriate from time
to time. PWA generally will review the plan's investment vehicles and investment policy as
necessary.
For certain retirement plans, PWA also works in coordination and support with FPAS. Retirement
plan clients will engage both PWA and FPAS. FPAS will provide to the client additional
discretionary investment management services and will exercise discretionary authority to select
the plan investments made available to the plans’ participants by selecting and maintain the
plans’ investments according to the goals and investment objectives of the plan.
PWA will continue to work with plans to monitor plan investments, provide fiduciary plan advice
including regular considerations of the goals and objectives of the plan, and provide participant
education services to the plan.
Financial Planning Services:
PWA also provides advice in the form of a Financial Plan. Clients purchasing this service will
typically receive a written financial report, providing the client with a detailed financial report
designed to achieve their stated financial goals and objectives.
In general, the financial plan will address any or all of the following areas of concern:
• Personal: Family records, budgeting, personal liability, estate information and financial
goals.
• Tax & Cash Flow: Income tax and spending analysis and planning for past, current and
future years. PWA may illustrate the impact of various investments on a client’s current
income tax and future tax liability.
• Death & Disability: Cash needs at death, income needs of surviving dependents, estate
planning and disability income analysis.
• Retirement: Analysis of current strategies and investment plans to help the client achieve
his or her retirement goals.
•
Investments: Analysis of investment alternatives and their effect on a client’s portfolio.
PWA gathers required information through in-depth personal interviews. Information gathered
includes a client’s current financial status, future goals and attitudes towards risk. Related
documents supplied by the client are carefully reviewed and a written report is typically prepared.
Should a client choose to implement the recommendations in the plan, PWA suggests the client
work closely with his/her attorney, accountant or insurance agent. Implementation of financial
plan recommendations is entirely at the client’s discretion.
Consulting Services:
Clients can also receive investment advice on a more limited basis. This may include advice on only
an isolated area(s) of concern such as estate planning, retirement planning, reviewing a client's
existing portfolio, or any other specific topic. PWA also provides specific consultation and
administrative services regarding investment and financial concerns of the client.
Additionally, PWA provides advice on non-securities matters. Generally, this is in connection with
the rendering of estate planning and/or income tax planning advice.
Additionally, PWA offers a cash management aggregator system named Flourish Cash. Flourish Cash
is a service offered by an unaffiliated third-party, Flourish Financial LLC, a registered broker-dealer
and FINRA member. A Flourish Cash account is a brokerage account whereby the cash balance is
swept from the brokerage account to deposit accounts at one or more third-party banks that have
agreed to accept deposits from customers of Flourish Financial LLC. Flourish Financial LLC is an
indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Please refer to
the applicable disclosures provided separately by Flourish Financial upon account opening.
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation
In certain circumstances, all fees, account minimums and their applications to family circumstances
may be negotiable. Additionally, certain legacy clients are grandfathered in under previous fee
arrangements.
PWA has contracted with FPAS for services including trade processing, collection of management
fees, record maintenance, report preparation, marketing assistance, and research. PWA pays a fee
for FPAS’s services based on management fees paid to PWA on accounts that use FPAS. The fee paid
by PWA to FPAS consists of a portion of the fee paid by clients to PWA and varies based on the total
client assets participating in FPAS’s platform through PWA. These fees are not separately charged to
advisory clients.
The specific manner in which fees are charged by PWA is established in a client’s written agreement
with PWA. Investment Management and Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services clients will be
invoiced in advance at the beginning of each calendar quarter based upon the value (market value
based on independent third-party sources or fair market value in the absence of market value; client
account balances on which PWA calculates fees may vary from account custodial statements based
on independent valuations and other accounting variances, including mechanisms for including
accrued interest in account statements) of the client’s account at the end of the previous quarter.
New accounts are charged a prorated fee for the remainder of the quarter in which the ac count is
incepted (typically date of first trade).
For Investment Management and Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services, PWA will request
authority from the client to receive quarterly payments directly from the client's account held by an
independent custodian. Clients may provide written limited authorization to PWA or its designated
service provider, FPAS, to withdraw fees from the account. Clients will receive custodial statements
showing the advisory fees debited from their account(s). Certain third-party administrators will
calculate and debit PWA’s fee and remit such fee to PWA.
A client agreement may be cancelled at any time, by either party, for any reason upon receipt of
thirty (30) days’ written notice. Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will
be promptly refunded.
PWA’s fees are exclusive of brokerage commissions, transaction fees, and other related costs and
expenses which shall be incurred by the client. Clients may incur certain charges imposed by
custodians, brokers, third party investment and other third parties such as fees charged by
managers, custodial fees, odd-lot differentials, transfer taxes, wire transfer and electronic fund fees,
and other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. Mutual funds and
exchange traded funds also charge internal management fees, which are disclosed in a fund’s
prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee and other fund expenses. All fees
paid to PWA for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses
charged by mutual funds and ETFs to their shareholders.
Such charges, fees and commissions are exclusive of and in addition to PWA’s fee, and PWA shall
not receive any portion of these commissions, fees, and costs.
Advisory Fees
Investment Management Services:
The annual fee for investment management services will be charged as a percentage of assets
under management, according to the schedule below:
Assets Under Management
For the first amount up to $1,000,000
For the next amount from $1,000,001 - $5,000,000
For the next amount from $5,000,001 - $10,000,000
For the next amount from $10,000,001 - $20,000,000
For the next amount from $20,000,001 and above
Annual Fee (%)
1.10%
0.70%
0.55%
0.35%
0.25%
All relationships are subject to a $1,000,000 account minimum or $11,000 annual fee.
All accounts for members of the client’s family (husband, wife and dependent children) or related
businesses may be assessed fees based on the total balance of all accounts.
We may charge different fees to certain clients based on factors such as the date their account
was established or the terms of their original agreement. Legacy clients who established their
accounts prior to the current fee schedule may continue to pay fees that are lower than the fees
charged to new clients
Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services:
The annual fee for plan services will be charged as a percentage of assets within the plan.
FPAS’s Annual Fee
PWA’s Annual Fee
Total Fee
0.20%
0.15%
0.08%
0.05%
0.70%
0.45%
0.25%
0.15%
0.90%
0.60%
0.33%
0.20%
Assets Under
Management
On the first $1,000,000
On the next $4,000,000
On the next $5,000,000
On all amounts above
$10,000,000
* Employee benefit retirement plan services clients are subject to a minimum quarterly fee of $750.
Financial Planning Services:
Financial planning fees will be charged as follows: As a fixed fee, typically ranging from $2,500 -
$10,000, depending on the nature and complexity of each client’s circumstances and upon mutual
agreement with the client.
Consulting Services:
PWA charges an annual fee of 20 basis points for consulting services. The annual fee applied will
include assets where PWA is providing consulting, ongoing advisory and reporting services, but
does not have trading discretion.
Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
PWA does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains on or
capital appreciation of the assets of a client). All fees are calculated as described above and are
not charged on the basis of income or capital gains or capital appreciation of the funds or any
portion of the funds of an advisory client.
Item 7 – Types of Clients
PWA provides services to individuals, qualified retirement plans, trusts, charitable organizations,
corporations and small businesses.
PWA generally requires a minimum account size of $100,000,000 or minimum annual fee of
$11,000 for Investment Management. Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services clients are
subject to a minimum quarterly fee of $750. Account minimums may be waived at the discretion
of PWA.
Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategy
PWA's services are based on long-term investment strategies incorporating the principles of
Modern Portfolio Theory. PWA's investment approach is firmly rooted in the belief that markets are
"efficient" over periods of time and that investors' long-term returns are determined principally by
asset allocation decisions, rather than market timing or stock picking. PWA recommends diversified
portfolios, principally through the use of passively managed, asset class mutual funds. PWA selects
or recommends portfolios of securities, principally broadly-traded open end mutual funds or
conservative fixed income securities to implement this investment strategy.
Although all investments involve risk, PWA's investment advice seeks to limit risk through broad
diversification among asset classes and, as appropriate for particular clients the investment directly
in conservative fixed income securities to represent the fixed income class. PWA's investment
philosophy is designed for investors who desire a buy and hold strategy. Frequent trading of
securities increases brokerage and other transaction costs that PWA's strategy seeks to minimize.
In the implementation of investment plans, PWA therefore primarily uses mutual funds and, as
appropriate, portfolios of conservative fixed income securities. PWA may also utilize Exchange
Traded Funds (ETFs) to represent a market sector.
Clients may hold or retain other types of assets as well, and PWA may offer advice regarding those
various assets as part of its services. Advice regarding such assets will generally not involvement
asset management services but may help to more generally assist the client.
PWA’s strategies do not utilize securities that we believe would be classified as having any unusual
risks, and we do not recommend frequent trading, which can increase brokerage and other costs
and taxes.
PWA receives supporting research from Buckingham and from other consultants, including
economists affiliated with Dimensional Fund Advisors (“DFA”). PWA utilizes DFA mutual funds in
client portfolios. DFA mutual funds follow a passive asset class investment philosophy with low
holdings turnover. DFA provides historical market analysis, risk/return analysis, and continuing
education to PWA.
Analysis of a Client’s Financial Situation
In the development of investment plans for clients, including the recommendation of an appropriate
asset allocation, PWA relies on an analysis of the client’s financial objectives, current and estimated
future resources, and tolerance for risk. To derive a recommended asset allocation, PWA may use a
Monte Carlo simulation, a standard statistical approach for dealing with uncertainty. As with any
other methods used to make projections into the future, there are several risks associated with this
method, which may result in the client not being able to achieve their financial goals. They include:
• The risk that expected future cash flows will not match those used in the analysis
• The risk that future rates of return will fall short of the estimates used in the simulation
• The risk that inflation will exceed the estimates used in the simulation
• For taxable clients, the risk that tax rates will be higher than was assumed in the analysis
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
All investments present the risk of loss of principal – the risk that the value of securities (mutual funds,
ETFs and individual bonds), when sold or otherwise disposed of, may be less than the price paid for
the securities. Even when the value of the securities when sold is greater than the price paid, there is
the risk that the appreciation will be less than inflation. In other words, the purchasing power of the
proceeds may be less than the purchasing power of the original investment.
The mutual funds and ETFs utilized by PWA may include funds invested in domestic and
international equities, including real estate investment trusts (REITs), corporate and government
fixed income securities and commodities. Equity securities may include large capitalization, medium
capitalization and small capitalization stocks. Mutual funds and ETF shares invested in fixed income
securities are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the
underlying bond holdings.
Among the riskiest mutual funds used in PWA’s investment strategies funds are the U.S. and
International small capitalization and small capitalization value funds, emerging markets funds, and
commodity futures funds. Conservative fixed income securities have lower risk of loss of principal,
but most bonds (with the exception of Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, or TIPS) present the
risk of loss of purchasing power through lower expected return. This risk is greatest for longer-term
bonds.
Certain funds utilized by PWA may contain international securities. Investing outside the United
States involves additional risks, such as currency fluctuations, periods of illiquidity and price volatility.
These risks may be greater with investments in developing countries.
More information about the risks of any particular market sector can be reviewed in representative
mutual fund prospectuses managing assets within each applicable sector.
Cybersecurity Risk
The computer systems, networks and devices used by PWA and service providers to us and our
clients to carry out routine business operations employ a variety of protections designed to prevent
damage or interruption from computer viruses, network failures, computer and telecommunication
failures, infiltration by unauthorized persons and security breaches. Despite the various protections
utilized, systems, networks or devices potentially can be breached. A client could be negatively
impacted as a result of a cybersecurity breach.
Cybersecurity breaches can include unauthorized access to systems, networks, or devices; infection
from computer viruses or other malicious software code; and attacks that shut down, disable, slow
or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes or website access or functionality. Cybersecurity
breaches may cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial
losses to a client; impediments to trading; the inability by us and other service providers to transact
business; violations of applicable privacy and other laws; regulatory fines, penalties, reputational
damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs, as well as the
inadvertent release of confidential information.
Similar adverse consequences could result from cybersecurity breaches affecting issuers of securities
in which a client invests; governmental and other regulatory authorities; exchange and other financial
market operators, banks, brokers, dealers and other financial institutions and other parties. In
additional substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent any cybersecurity
breaches in the future.
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 PWA or the integrity of PWA’s
management. PWA has no information applicable to this Item.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Affiliated Accounting & Consulting Firm
Associated persons of PWA are also associated with Sandpiper Consulting, Inc. dba Walpole
Advisors and Hamilton Town Consulting, LLC dba Hamilton Mercer Advisors, certified public
accounting and consulting firms. PWA shares facilities, equipment and clerical personnel as
needed with the affiliated accounting firms.
Walpole Advisors and Hamilton Mercer Advisors may recommend PWA to accounting clients in
need of advisory services. PWA may recommend Walpole Advisors and Hamilton Mercer Advisors
to advisory clients in need of accounting services. Accounting services provided by Walpole
Advisors and Hamilton Mercer Advisors are separate and distinct from the advisory services of
PWA, and are provided for separate and typical compensation. There are no referral fee
arrangements between PWA and Walpole Advisors or Hamilton Mercer Advisors for these
recommendations.
No PWA client is obligated to use Walpole Advisors or Hamilton Mercer Advisors for any
accounting services as no Walpole Advisors or Hamilton Mercer Advisors client is obligated to use
PWA for advisory services. PWA personnel may spend a significant portion of their business time
on the accounting practice during tax season.
Focus Partners Advisor Solutions, LLC
As described above in Item 4, PWA will exercise discretionary authority provided by a client to
select an independent third-party investment manager for the management of portfolios. PWA
selects Focus Partners Advisor Solutions (FPAS) for such management and also contracts with
FPAS for back-office services. PWA has a fiduciary duty to select qualified and appropriate
managers in the client’s best interest, and believes that FPAS effectively provides both the back-
office services that assist with its overall investment advisory practice and portfolio management
services. PWA continuously analyzes and assesses the use of FPAS in these capacities. While PWA
has a contract with FPAS governing a time period for back-office services, PWA has no such fixed
commitment to the selection of FPAS for fixed income management services and may select
another investment manager for clients upon reasonable notice to FPAS.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
PWA has adopted a Code of Ethics expressing the firm's commitment to ethical conduct. PWA's
Code of Ethics describes the firm's fiduciary duties and responsibilities to clients and sets forth
PWA's practice of supervising the personal securities transactions of employees with access to
client information. Individuals associated with PWA may buy or sell securities for their personal
accounts identical or different than those recommended to clients. It is the expressed policy of
PWA that no person employed by the firm shall prefer his or her own interest to that of an
advisory client or make personal investment decisions based on investment decisions of advisory
clients.
To supervise compliance with its Code of Ethics, PWA requires that anyone associated with this
advisory practice with access to advisory recommendations provide annual securities holding
reports and quarterly transaction reports to the firm's principal. PWA also requires such access
persons to receive approval from the Chief Compliance Officer prior to investing in any IPO's or
private placements (limited offerings).
PWA's Code of Ethics further includes the firm's policy prohibiting the use of material non-public
information and protecting the confidentiality of client information. PWA requires that all
individuals must act in accordance with all applicable Federal and State regulations governing
registered investment advisory practices. Any individual not in observance of the above may be
subject to discipline.
PWA will provide a complete copy of its Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon
request.
It is PWA’s policy that the firm will not affect any principal or agency cross securities transactions
for client accounts. PWA will also not cross trades between client accounts. Principal transactions
are generally defined as transactions where an advisor, acting as principal for its own account or
the account of an affiliated broker-dealer, buys from or sells any security to any advisory client. A
principal transaction may also be deemed to have occurred if a security is crossed between an
affiliated private fund and another client account. An agency cross transaction is defined as a
transaction where a person acts as an investment advisor in relation to a transaction in which the
investment advisor, or any person controlled by or under common control with the investment
advisor, acts as broker for both the advisory client and for another person on the other side of the
transaction. Agency cross transactions may arise where an advisor is dually registered as a broker-
dealer or has an affiliated broker-dealer.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
PWA arranges for the execution of securities transactions with the assistance of FPAS. Through
FPAS, PWA participates in the Schwab Advisor Services (SAS) program offered to independent
investment advisers by Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. (“Schwab”), member FINRA/SIPC. Schwab
is an unaffiliated SEC-registered broker dealer and FINRA member broker dealer.
The Schwab brokerage program will generally be recommended to advisory clients for the execution
of mutual fund, ETFs and equity securities transactions. PWA regularly reviews these programs to
ensure that its recommendation is consistent with its fiduciary duty. These trading platforms are
essential to PWA’s service arrangements and capabilities, and PWA may not accept clients who direct
the use of other brokers. As part of this program, PWA receives benefits that it would not receive if it
did not offer investment advice (See the disclosure under Item 14 of this Brochure).
As PWA will not request the discretionary authority to determine the broker dealer to be used or
the commission rates to be paid in these situations, clients must direct PWA as to the broker dealer
to be used. In directing the use of a particular broker or dealer, it should be understood that PWA
will not have authority to negotiate commissions among various brokers or obtain volume
discounts, and best execution may not be achieved. Not all investment advisers require clients to
direct the use of specific brokers.
PWA will not exercise authority to arrange client transactions. Clients will provide this authority to
FPAS on client’s behalf by designating FPAS with trading authority over client’s brokerage account.
Clients will be provided with the Disclosure Brochure (Form ADV Part 2) of FPAS.
SAS does not generally charge clients a custody fee and is compensated by account holders through
commissions or other transaction related fees for securities trades that are executed through the
broker or that settle into the clients’ accounts at the brokers. Trading client accounts through other
brokers may result in fees (including mark-ups and mark-downs) being charged by the custodial
broker and an additional broker. While PWA will not arrange transactions through other brokers,
the authority of the fixed income portfolio manager includes the ability to trade client fixed income
assets through other brokers.
PWA does not have any arrangements to compensate any broker dealer for client referrals.
PWA does not maintain any client trade error gains. PWA makes client whole with respect to any
trade error losses incurred by client caused by PWA.
PWA generally does not aggregate any client transactions in mutual fund or other securities. Client
accounts are individually reviewed and managed, and transaction costs are not saved by
aggregating orders in almost all circumstances. FPAS, in the management of fixed income portfolios,
will aggregate certain transactions among client accounts that it manages, in which case a PWA
client’s orders may be aggregated with an order for another client of FPAS who is not a PWA client.
See FPAS’s Form ADV Part 2.
Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services:
PWA does not arrange for the execution of securities transactions for plans as a part of this service.
Transactions are executed directly through employee plan participation.
Financial Planning/Consulting Services:
PWA's financial planning/consulting practice, due to the nature of its business and client needs, does
not include blocking trades, negotiating commissions with broker dealers or obtaining volume
discounts, nor necessarily obtaining the best price. Clients will be required to select their own broker
dealers and insurance companies for the implementation of financial planning recommendations.
PWA may recommend any one of several brokers. PWA clients must independently evaluate these
brokers before opening an account. The factors considered by PWA when making this
recommendation are the broker's ability to provide professional services, PWA's experience with the
broker, the broker's reputation, and the broker's financial strength, among other factors. PWA's
financial planning/consulting clients may use any broker or dealer of their choice.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
Reviews:
Investment Management Services:
Formal reviews are generally conducted at least annually or more or less frequently depending on
the needs of the Client.
Account assets are supervised continuously by an Investment Advisor Representative of PWA. The
review process contains each of the following elements:
a. assessing client goals and objectives;
b. evaluating the employed strategy(ies);
c. monitoring the portfolio(s); and
d. addressing the need to rebalance.
Additional account reviews may be triggered by any of the following events:
a. a specific client request;
b. a change in client goals and objectives;
c. an imbalance in a portfolio asset allocation; and
d. market/economic conditions.
For portfolios on the FPAS platform, certain account review responsibilities are delegated FPAS as
described above in Item 4.
Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services:
Retirement plan assets are reviewed no more than quarterly, and according to the standards and
situations described above for investment management accounts.
Financial Planning / Consulting Services:
Financial Planning and Consulting Services accounts will be reviewed as contracted for at the
inception of the advisory relationship.
Reports:
All clients will receive quarterly performance reports, prepared by FPAS and reviewed by PWA,
that summarize the client's account and asset allocation. Clients will also receive at least quarterly
statements from their account custodian, which will outline the client's current positions and
current market value.
Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services:
Plan sponsors are provided with quarterly information and annual performance reviews from PWA.
In addition, plan participant education information may also be provided to the Plan Sponsor or
Administrator for distribution to the participants of the plan.
Financial Planning Services:
Financial Planning clients will receive reports as contracted for at the inception of the advisory
relationship.
Consulting Services:
Consulting Services clients for which PWA does not have any trading discretion will receive reports
for accounts which PWA is provided access through the Total Account Solution platform or other
acceptable medium.
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
As indicated under the disclosure for Item 12, SAS provides PWA with access to services, which are
not available to retail investors. These services generally are available to independent investment
advisors on an unsolicited basis at no charge to them.
These services benefit PWA but may not benefit its clients' accounts. Many of the products and
services assist PWA in managing and administering clients' accounts. These include software and
other technology that provide access to client account data (such as trade confirmations and
account statements), facilitate trade execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for
multiple client accounts), provide research, pricing information and other market data, facilitate
payment of PWA's fees from its clients' accounts, and assist with back-office functions,
recordkeeping and client reporting.
Many of these services generally may be used to service all or a substantial number of PWA's
accounts. Recommended brokers also make available to PWA other services intended to help PWA
manage and further develop its business enterprise. These services may include consulting,
publications and conferences on practice management, information technology, business
succession, regulatory compliance, and marketing. PWA does not, however, enter into any
commitments with the broker for transaction levels in exchange for any services or products from
brokers. While as a fiduciary, PWA endeavours to act in its clients' best interests, PWA's
requirement that clients maintain their assets in accounts at Schwab may be based in part on the
benefit to PWA of the availability of some of the foregoing products and services and not solely on
the nature, cost or quality of custody and brokerage services provided by Schwab, which may create
a potential conflict of interest.
PWA also receives software from Dimensional Fund Advisors (“DFA”), which PWA utilizes in forming
asset allocation strategies and producing performance reports. DFA also provides continuing
education for PWA personnel. These services are designed to assist PWA plan and design its services
for business growth.
We receive an economic benefit from Schwab in the form of the support products and services it
makes available to us. These products and services, how they benefit us, and the related conflicts of
interest are described above under Item 12 – Brokerage Practices. The availability to us of Schwab’s
products and services is not based on us giving particular investment advice, such as buying
particular securities for our clients.
PWA has approximately 53 affiliated professionals in the financial industry who provide services
such as tax preparation and bookkeeping. We offer financial incentives to any affiliates that refer
clients to our firm. The first incentive is a flat fee and does not exceed $1,000 per individual, per
year. After the first referral is made, PWA will enter into a promotional agreement with the
referring affiliate/party to be compensated either 10% of the annualized advisor fee, or an
additional $1,000, whichever is greater. This referral compensation does not increase the fees paid
by referred clients. All clients referred to us through these arrangements receive the same services
and fee schedule as non-referred clients.
Item 15 – Custody
Investment Management and Employee Benefit Retirement Plan Services Clients should receive at
least quarterly statements from the broker dealer, bank or other qualified custodian that holds
and maintains client’s investment assets. PWA urges you to carefully review such statements and
compare such official custodial records to the account statements that we may provide to you.
Our statements may vary from custodial statements based on accounting procedures, reporting
dates, or valuation methodologies of certain securities.
Custody is also disclosed in Form ADV because PWA has authority to transfer money from client
account(s), which constitutes a standing letter of authorization (SLOA). Accordingly, PWA will
follow the safeguards specified by the SEC rather than undergo an annual audit for those
accounts.
In limited circumstances, certain advisers of PWA have agreed to serve as trustee for client
accounts. These arrangements are maintained solely to accommodate legacy client arrangements.
PWA does not offer trustee services or seek new trustee appointments. Because our related
persons serve as trustees, PWA is deemed to have custody of client assets in those instances, and
as a result PWA is subject to an annual surprise examination conducted by an independent public
accountant to verify client funds and securities for the affected accounts.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
PWA requests that it be provided with written authority to determine which securities and the
amounts of securities that are bought or sold. For sub-advisory services, this authority will include
the discretion to retain a third-party money manager. Any limitations on this discretionary
authority shall be included in this written authority statement. Clients may change/amend these
limitations as required. Such amendments shall be submitted in writing.
When selecting securities and determining amounts, PWA observes the investment policies,
limitations and restrictions of the clients for which it advises. Investment guidelines and
restrictions must be provided to PWA in writing.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
Proxy Voting: As a matter of firm policy and practice, PWA does not accept the authority to and
does not vote proxies on behalf of advisory client. Clients retain the responsibility for receiving and
voting proxies for any and all securities maintained in client portfolios. Clients will receive
applicable proxies directly from the issuer of securities held in clients’ investment portfolios. PWA,
however, may provide advice to clients regarding the clients' voting of proxies.
Class Actions, Bankruptcies and Other Legal Proceedings: Clients should note that PWA will
neither advise nor act on behalf of the client in legal proceedings involving companies whose
securities are held or previously were held in the client’s account(s), including, but not limited to,
the filing of “Proofs of Claim” in class action settlements. If desired, clients may direct PWA to
transmit copies of class action notices to the client or a third party. Upon such direction, PWA will
make commercially reasonable efforts to forward such notices in a timely manner.
Item 18 – Financial Information
Registered investment advisers are required in this Item to provide you with certain financial
information or disclosures about PWA’s financial condition. PWA has no financial commitment that
impairs its ability to meet contractual and fiduciary commitments to clients, and has not been the
subject of a bankruptcy. We do not require prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees six or more
months in advance.