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ROTH FINANCIAL PARTNERS LLC
ADV Part 2A - Disclosure Brochure
Dated: June 6, 2025
Contact: Eric Johnson, Chief Compliance Officer
855 Rockmead Drive, Suite 703
Kingwood, TX 77339
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Roth Financial
Partners LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
(281) 973-8816. 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 Roth Financial Partners LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
References herein to Roth Financial Partners LLC as a “registered investment adviser” or any
reference to being “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Item 2
Material Changes
There have been no material changes made to our disclosure Brochure since our last Annual Amendment
filing on February 29, 2024.
Item 3
Table of Contents
Item 1 Cover Page .................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2 Material Changes .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 3
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... 2
Item 4 Advisory Business ........................................................................................................................ 3
Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................ 8
Item 5
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ............................................................ 9
Item 6
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 or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading .............. 12
Item 12 Brokerage Practices .................................................................................................................... 13
Item 13 Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 15
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation .................................................................................. 15
Item 15 Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 16
Item 16
Investment Discretion ................................................................................................................. 16
Item 17 Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 17
Item 18 Financial Information ................................................................................................................. 17
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Item 4
Advisory Business
A. Roth Financial Partners LLC (the “Registrant”) is a limited liability company formed in
the state of Texas on March 11, 2010. The Registrant became a registered investment
advisor with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in August 2020. The Registrant
is owned by James Roth Gift Trust, Eric Johnson (IDGT) Trust, and James Roth (IDGT)
Trust. Eric Johnson and James Roth are the Registrant’s Co-Presidents.
B.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Registrant provides discretionary investment advisory services on a fee basis.
Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee may include investment advisory services,
and, to the extent specifically requested by the client, financial planning and consulting
services. In the event that the client requires extraordinary planning and/or consultation
services (to be determined in the sole discretion of the Registrant), the Registrant may
determine to charge for such additional services, the dollar amount of which shall be set
forth in a separate written notice to the client.
The Registrant provides investment advisory services specific to the needs of each client.
Before providing investment advisory services, an investment adviser representative will
ascertain each client’s investment objectives. Thereafter, the Registrant will recommend
that the client allocate investment assets consistent with the designated investment
objectives. The Registrant primarily recommends that clients allocate investment assets
among various individual equity (stocks), debt (bonds) and fixed income securities, mutual
funds and/or exchange traded funds (“ETFs”) in accordance with the client’s designated
investment objective(s). Once allocated, the Registrant provides ongoing monitoring and
review of account performance, asset allocation and client investment objectives.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant may provide financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance
planning, etc.) on a stand-alone separate fee basis.
Prior to engaging the Registrant to provide planning or consulting services, clients are
generally required to enter into an agreement with Registrant setting forth the terms and
conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing the scope of the services
to be provided, and the portion of the fee that is due from the client prior to Registrant
commencing services.
It remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any
change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing,
evaluating or revising Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Miscellaneous
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation
Services. As indicated above, to the extent requested by a client, Registrant may provide
financial planning and related consulting services inclusive of its advisory fee as set forth
at Item 5 below (exceptions may occur based upon assets under management, special
projects, etc., for which the Registrant may charge a separate fee). However, neither the
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Registrant nor its investment adviser representatives assist clients with the implementation
of any financial plan, unless they have agreed to do so in writing. The Registrant does not
monitor a client’s financial plan, unless specifically engaged to do so, and it is the client’s
responsibility to revisit the financial plan with the Registrant, if desired.
Furthermore, although the Registrant may provide recommendations regarding non-
investment related matters, such as estate planning, tax planning and insurance, the
Registrant does not serve as an attorney or accountant, and no portion of its services should
be construed as legal or accounting services. Accordingly, the Registrant does not prepare
estate planning documents or tax returns. Although Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer,
Eric Johnson, is a CPA, Mr. Johnson does not provide tax preparation or accounting
services or advice to Registrant’s clients.
To the extent requested by a client, the Registrant may recommend the services of other
professionals for certain non-investment implementation purposes (i.e., attorneys,
accountants, insurance, etc.), including Mr. Roth in his individual capacity as a licensed
insurance agent (See disclosure at Item 10.C below). The client is under no obligation to
engage the services of any such recommended professional. The client retains absolute
discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any
recommendation from Registrant and/or its representatives.
If the client engages any recommended unaffiliated professional, and a dispute arises
thereafter relative to such engagement, the client agrees to seek recourse exclusively from
and against the engaged professional. At all times, the engaged licensed professional(s)
(i.e., attorney, accountant, insurance agent, etc.), and not the Registrant, shall be
responsible for the quality and competency of the services provided.
investment assets among unaffiliated
independent
Independent Managers. Registrant may recommend that the client allocate a portion of a
investment managers
client’s
(“Independent Manager(s)”) in accordance with the client’s designated investment
objective(s). In such situations, the Independent Manager(s) will have day-to-day
responsibility for the active discretionary management of the allocated assets. Registrant
will continue to render investment supervisory services to the client relative to the ongoing
monitoring and review of account performance, asset allocation, and client investment
objectives. The Registrant generally considers the following factors when recommending
Independent Manager(s): the client’s designated investment objective(s), management
style, performance, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research.
The investment management fees charged by the designated Independent Manager(s) are
exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant’s ongoing investment advisory fee, subject to
the terms and conditions of a separate agreement between the client and the Independent
Manager(s). Registrant’s advisory fee is set forth in the fee schedule at Item 5 below.
The Registrant will generally access Independent Managers in conjunction with the
Raymond James Consulting Services (“RJCS”) wrap program. Each client will receive a
copy of the separate RJCS wrap program brochure. As discussed in the RJCS wrap
brochure, the client receives the services of the Independent Manager(s) and corresponding
transactions fees and custody services provided by Raymond James & Associates Inc.,
Member NYSE/SIPC (“Raymond James”) for one combined fee. See Item 5.D. below
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Use of Mutual and Exchange Traded Funds: Most mutual funds and exchange traded
funds are available directly to the public. Therefore, a prospective client can obtain many
of the funds that may be utilized by Registrant independent of engaging Registrant as an
investment advisor. However, if a prospective client determines to do so, he/she will not
receive Registrant’s initial and ongoing investment advisory services.
In addition to Registrant’s investment advisory fee described below, and transaction and/or
custodial fees discussed below, clients will also incur, relative to all mutual fund and
exchange traded fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g., management fees
and other fund expenses).
Account Aggregation Reporting Services. Registrant uses account aggregation software,
which can incorporate client investment assets that are not part of the assets that Registrant
manages (the “Excluded Assets”). Unless agreed to otherwise, in writing, the client and/or
their other advisors that maintain trading authority, and not Registrant, shall be exclusively
responsible for the investment performance of the Excluded Assets. Unless also agreed to
otherwise, in writing, Registrant does not provide investment management, monitoring or
implementation services for the Excluded Assets. The client can engage Registrant to
provide investment management services for the Excluded Assets pursuant to the terms
and conditions of the Investment Advisory Agreement between Registrant and the client.
Portfolio Activity. Registrant has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the
client’s best interest. As part of its investment advisory services, Registrant will review
client portfolios on an ongoing basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon
various factors, including, but not limited to, investment performance, fund manager
tenure, style drift, account additions/withdrawals, and/or a change in the client’s
investment objective. Based upon these factors, there may be extended periods of time
when Registrant determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are neither necessary nor
prudent. Clients nonetheless remain subject to the fees described in Item 5 below during
periods of account inactivity.
Cash Positions. Registrant continues to treat cash as an asset class. As such, unless
determined to the contrary by Registrant, all cash positions (money markets, etc.) shall
continue to be included as part of assets under management for purposes of calculating
Registrant’s advisory fee. At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or
anticipated market conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated market
conditions/events will occur), Registrant may maintain cash positions for defensive
purposes. In addition, while assets are maintained in cash, such amounts could miss market
advances. Depending upon current yields, at any point in time, Registrant’s advisory fee
could exceed the interest paid by the client’s money market fund.
Cash Sweep Accounts. Certain account custodians can require that cash proceeds from
account transactions or new deposits, be swept to and/or initially maintained in a
specific custodian designated sweep account. The yield on the sweep account will
generally be lower than those available for other money market accounts. When this
occurs, to help mitigate the corresponding yield dispersion Registrant shall (usually within
30 days thereafter) generally (with exceptions) purchase a higher yielding money market
fund (or other type security) available on the custodian’s platform, unless Registrant
reasonably anticipates that it will utilize the cash proceeds during the subsequent 30-day
period to purchase additional investments for the client’s account. Exceptions and/or
modifications can and will occur with respect to all or a portion of the cash balances for
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various reasons, including, but not limited to the amount of dispersion between the sweep
account and a money market fund, the size of the cash balance, an indication from the client
of an imminent need for such cash, or the client has a demonstrated history of writing
checks from the account.
The above does not apply to the cash component maintained within a Registrant actively
managed investment strategy (the cash balances for which shall generally remain in the
custodian designated cash sweep account), an indication from the client of a need for access
to such cash, assets allocated to an unaffiliated investment manager and cash balances
maintained for fee billing purposes.
The client shall remain exclusively responsible for yield dispersion/cash balance decisions
and corresponding transactions for cash balances maintained in any Registrant unmanaged
accounts.
Retirement Rollovers-Potential for Conflict of Interest: A client or prospective client
leaving an employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan (and
may engage in a combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former
employer’s plan, if permitted, (ii) roll over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is
available and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to an Individual Retirement Account
(“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the client’s age,
result in adverse tax consequences). If Registrant recommends that a client roll over their
retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Registrant, such a recommendation
creates a conflict of interest if Registrant will earn new (or increase its current)
compensation as a result of the rollover. If Registrant provides a recommendation as to
whether a client should engage in a rollover or not (whether it is from an employer’s plan
or an existing IRA), Registrant is acting as a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. No client is under any obligation
to roll over retirement plan assets to an account managed by Registrant, whether it is from
an employer’s plan or an existing IRA.
When requested by the client, the Registrant may provide a recommendation as to whether
it would be appropriate for the client to engage in a rollover. If the Registrant is able to
obtain sufficient information and provides a recommendation to the client, Registrant shall
provide to the client a copy of its written analysis with supporting documentation. Prior to
assisting the client with completing the rollover, client will execute a written
acknowledgement form detailing the Registrant’s recommendation.
Although the Registrant endeavors to provide sufficient guidance to allow a client to make
an educated decision as to whether they should engage in a rollover or not, there will be
instances where the Registrant does not have access to enough information to make a
determination.
When the Registrant has completed its analysis and reasonably believes that a rollover is
not in the client’s best interest the Registrant shall recommend that the client not engage in
a rollover. However, if after completing its analysis the Registrant reasonably believes a
rollover is in the client’s best interest, the Registrant will make the recommendation to the
client that a rollover be completed.
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Client Obligations. In performing its services, Registrant shall not be required to verify
any information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is
expressly authorized to rely thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains their
responsibility to promptly notify the Registrant if there is ever any change in their financial
situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising
Registrant’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Cybersecurity Risk. The information technology systems and networks that Registrant
and its third-party service providers use to provide services to Registrant’s clients employ
various controls that are designed to prevent cybersecurity incidents stemming from
intentional or unintentional actions that could cause significant interruptions in Registrant’s
operations and/or result in the unauthorized acquisition or use of clients’ confidential or
non-public personal information.
In accordance with Regulation S-P, the Registrant is committed to protecting the privacy
and security of its clients' non-public personal information by implementing appropriate
administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Registrant has established processes to
mitigate the risks of cybersecurity incidents, including the requirement to restrict access to
such sensitive data and to monitor its systems for potential breaches. Clients and Registrant
are nonetheless subject to the risk of cybersecurity incidents that could ultimately cause
them to incur financial losses and/or other adverse consequences.
Although the Registrant has established processes to reduce the risk of cybersecurity
incidents, there is no guarantee that these efforts will always be successful, especially
considering that the Registrant does not control the cybersecurity measures and policies
employed by third-party service providers, issuers of securities, broker-dealers, qualified
custodians, governmental and other regulatory authorities, exchanges, and other financial
market operators and providers. In compliance with Regulation S-P, the Registrant will
notify clients in the event of a data breach involving their non-public personal information
as required by applicable state and federal laws.
Disclosure Statement. A copy of the Registrant’s written Brochure and CRS, as set forth
on Parts 2 and 3 of Form ADV, respectively, shall be provided to each client prior to the
execution of any new advisory agreement.
to providing
investment advisory services, an
C. The Registrant shall provide investment advisory services specific to the needs of each
investment adviser
client. Prior
representative will ascertain each client’s investment objective(s). Thereafter, the
Registrant shall allocate and/or recommend that the client allocate investment assets
consistent with the designated investment objective(s). The client may, at any time, impose
reasonable restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s services.
D. Registrant does not sponsor its own wrap fee program. However, as discussed above, the
Registrant may access Independent Managers in conjunction with the RJCS wrap program.
Each client will receive a copy of the separate RJCS wrap program brochure. As discussed
in the RJCS wrap brochure, the client receives the services of the Independent Manager(s)
and corresponding transactions fees and custody services provided by Raymond James for
one combined fee. These fees are generally based upon an annual percentage of assets
under management and are calculated by the Independent Manager(s) either on a quarterly
basis or a monthly basis. Independent Manager fees are separate and in addition the
Registrant’s advisory fees.
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E. As of December 31, 2024, the Registrant had $400,671,602 in assets under management
on a discretionary basis.
Item 5
Fees and Compensation
A.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Registrant’s annual investment advisory fee shall be based upon a blended percentage
(%) rate, calculated using the market value and of assets placed under the Registrant’s
management and the following fee schedule:
Market Value of Portfolio
On the First $3,000,000
On the Next $3,000,000
On the Next $4,000,000
All additional amounts
% of Assets
1.00%
0.85%
0.75%
Negotiable
The Registrant, at its sole discretion, may charge a lesser investment management fee. As
a result, similarly situated clients could pay different fees. In addition, similar advisory
services may be available from other investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
It is the Firm’s policy is to treat intra-quarter account additions and withdrawals equally.
Specifically, in the event that a client, on a net basis, adds or withdraws more than $100,000
during any billing quarter, the Firm shall charge a pro-rated fee, and or issue a pro-rated
credit, based upon the number of days remaining in the billing quarter.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
The Registrant may provide financial planning and/or consulting services (including
investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning, insurance
planning, etc.) on a stand-alone fee basis. Registrant’s planning and consulting fees are
negotiable, but generally range from $2,000 to $5,000 on a fixed fee basis, and from $100
to $500 on an hourly rate basis, depending upon the level and scope of the service(s)
required and the professional(s) rendering the service(s).
B. Clients may elect to have the Registrant’s advisory fees deducted from their custodial
account. Both Registrant’s Agreement and the custodial/clearing agreement may authorize
the custodian to debit the account for the amount of the Registrant’s investment advisory
fee and to directly remit that advisory fee to the Registrant in compliance with regulatory
procedures.
In the limited event that the Registrant bills the client directly, payment is due upon receipt
of the Registrant’s invoice.
C. As discussed below, unless the client directs otherwise or an individual client’s
circumstances require, Registrant shall generally recommend that Raymond James serve
as the broker-dealer/custodian for client investment management assets. Broker-dealers
such as Raymond James charge transaction fees for effecting certain securities transactions.
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In addition to the Registrant’s investment management fee and/or transaction fees, clients
will also incur, relative to all mutual fund and exchange traded fund purchases, charges
imposed at the fund level (e.g., management fees and other fund expenses). Clients
engaging Independent Managers will incur additional investment advisory fees.
D. Registrant's annual investment advisory fee shall be prorated and paid quarterly, in
advance, based upon the market value of the assets on the last business day of the previous
month.
With the exception of a financial planning engagement on a project basis, which may
automatically terminate upon the completion of the project, agreements between the
Registrant and the client will continue in effect until terminated by either party by written
notice in accordance with the terms of the Agreement. Upon termination, the Registrant
shall invoice the client for the value of services rendered based upon the number of days
such services were rendered during the billing quarter.
E. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives accept compensation from the sale of
securities or other investment products.
Item 6
Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Neither the Registrant nor any supervised person of the Registrant accepts performance-
based fees.
Item 7
Types of Clients
The Registrant’s clients shall generally include individuals, business entities, trusts and
estates.
Item 8
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
A. The Registrant may utilize the following methods of security analysis:
• Fundamental - (analysis performed on historical and present data, with the goal of
making financial forecasts)
• Technical – (analysis performed on historical and present data, focusing on price
and trade volume, to forecast the direction of prices)
The Registrant may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
• Long Term Purchases (securities held at least a year)
• Short Term Purchases (securities sold within a year)
Investment Risk. Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be
prepared to bear. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and it
should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment
strategy (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or
undertaken by the Registrant) will be profitable or equal any specific performance level(s).
9
All investment strategies have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Although there
is no way to list all risks involved with investing, the following are common risks born by
the majority of investors:
Interest Rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to fluctuate.
For example, when interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall.
Market Risk: Asset prices may drop in reaction to certain unforeseen events. Also referred
to as exogenous risk, this type of risk is caused by external factors independent of a
security’s particular underlying fundamentals or intrinsic value. For example, geo-political,
economic, legislative, and/or societal events may amplify market risk.
Inflation Risk: When inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as much as a dollar
next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation.
Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the dollar
against the currency of the investment’s originating country. This is also referred to as
exchange rate risk.
Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have to be
reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e., interest rate). This primarily relates to
fixed income securities.
Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular
company within an industry. Some industries and/or companies may have historically
demonstrated more stability than others. Economic factors and business functions are
constantly changing. Past results are no guarantee of future performance.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized product.
Financial Risk: Also referred to as leverage risk. Excessive borrowing to finance a
business’ operations may lead to financial strain and the ability to generate profits or meet
certain obligations. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan obligations
may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
Counterparty Risk: The risk that each party may not be able to meet its contractual
obligations. This may also be referred to as default risk for fixed income investments. In
rare circumstances, the underlying securities within registered investment products may
become illiquid which may restrict the ability of investors to redeem shares at quoted
prices.
Execution Risk: The risk that buy/sell transactions may not be executed at favorable
prices. This may occur during periods of abnormal market conditions.
B. The Registrant’s methods of analysis and investment strategies do not present any
significant or unusual risks. However, every method of analysis has its own inherent risks.
To perform an accurate market analysis the Registrant must have access to current/new
market information. The Registrant has no control over the dissemination rate of market
information; therefore, unbeknownst to the Registrant, certain analyses may be compiled
with outdated market information, severely limiting the value of the Registrant’s analysis.
Furthermore, an accurate market analysis can only produce a forecast of the direction of
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market values. There can be no assurances that a forecasted change in market value will
materialize into actionable and/or profitable investment opportunities.
The Registrant’s primary investment strategies - Long Term Purchases and Short Term
Purchases are fundamental investment strategies. However, every investment strategy has
its own inherent risks and limitations. For example, longer term investment strategies
require a longer investment time period to allow for the strategy to potentially develop.
Shorter term investment strategies require a shorter investment time period to potentially
develop but, as a result of more frequent trading, may incur higher transactional costs when
compared to a longer term investment strategy.
Borrowing Against Assets/Risks. A client who has a need to borrow money could
determine to do so by using:
• Margin-The account custodian or broker-dealer lends money to the
client. The custodian charges the client interest for the right to borrow
money, and uses the assets in the client’s brokerage account as
collateral; and,
• Pledged Assets Loan- In consideration for a lender (i.e., a bank, etc.)
to make a loan to the client, the client pledges its investment assets
held at the account custodian as collateral;
These above-described collateralized loans are generally utilized because they typically
provide more favorable interest rates than standard commercial loans. These types of
collateralized loans can assist with a pending home purchase, permit the retirement of more
expensive debt, or enable borrowing in lieu of liquidating existing account positions and
incurring capital gains taxes. However, such loans are not without potential material risk
to the client’s investment assets. The lender (i.e., custodian, bank, etc.) will have recourse
against the client’s investment assets in the event of loan default or if the assets fall below
a certain level. For this reason, Registrant does not recommend such borrowing unless it is
for specific short-term purposes (i.e., a bridge loan to purchase a new residence). Registrant
does not recommend such borrowing for investment purposes (i.e., to invest borrowed
funds in the market). Regardless, if the client was to determine to utilize margin or a
pledged assets loan, the following economic benefits would inure to Registrant:
•
•
• by taking the loan rather than liquidating assets in the client’s account,
Registrant continues to earn a fee on such Account assets; and,
if the client invests any portion of the loan proceeds in an account to
be managed by Registrant, Registrant will receive an advisory fee on
the invested amount; and,
if Registrant’s advisory fee is based upon the higher margined account
value, Registrant will earn a correspondingly higher advisory fee. This
could provide Registrant with a disincentive to encourage the client to
discontinue the use of margin.
The Client must accept the above risks and potential corresponding consequences
associated with the use of margin or a pledged assets loans.
C. Currently, the Registrant primarily recommends that clients allocate investment assets
among various individual equity (stocks), debt (bonds) and fixed income securities, mutual
11
funds, ETFs on a discretionary basis in accordance with the client’s designated investment
objective(s).
Item 9
Disciplinary Information
The Registrant has not been the subject of any disciplinary actions.
Item 10
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
A. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a broker-dealer or a registered representative of a broker-dealer.
B. Neither the Registrant, nor its representatives, are registered or have an application pending
to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool operator, a commodity
trading advisor, or a representative of the foregoing.
C. Licensed Insurance Agents. One of the Registrant’s representatives, Peter Roth, in his
individual capacity, is a licensed insurance agent. He may recommend the purchase of
certain insurance-related products on a commission basis. As referenced in Item 4.B above,
clients can engage Mr. Roth to purchase insurance products on a commission basis.
Conflict of Interest: The recommendation by Mr. Roth that a client purchase an insurance
commission product presents a conflict of interest, as the receipt of commissions may
provide an incentive to recommend insurance products based on commissions to be
received, rather than on a particular client’s need. No client is under any obligation to
purchase any commission products from Mr. Roth. Clients are reminded that they may
purchase insurance products recommended by Registrant through other, non-affiliated
insurance agents.
D. The Registrant does not receive, directly or indirectly, compensation from investment
advisors that it recommends or selects for its clients.
Item 11
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
A. The Registrant maintains an investment policy relative to personal securities transactions.
This investment policy is part of Registrant’s overall Code of Ethics, which serves to
establish a standard of business conduct for all of Registrant’s Representatives that is based
upon fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty and trust, a copy of which is
available upon request.
In accordance with Section 204A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Registrant
also maintains and enforces written policies reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of
material non-public information by the Registrant or any person associated with the
Registrant.
B. Neither the Registrant nor any related person of Registrant recommends, buys, or sells for
client accounts, securities in which the Registrant or any related person of Registrant has a
material financial interest.
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C. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities that are
also recommended to clients. This practice may create a situation where the Registrant
and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to materially benefit from the sale
or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation creates a conflict of interest.
Practices such as “scalping” (i.e., a practice whereby the owner of shares of a security
recommends that security for investment and then immediately sells it at a profit upon the
rise in the market price which follows the recommendation) could take place if the
Registrant did not have adequate policies in place to detect such activities. In addition, this
requirement can help detect insider trading, “front-running” (i.e., personal trades executed
prior to those of the Registrant’s clients) and other potentially abusive practices.
The Registrant has a personal securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal
securities transactions and securities holdings of each of the Registrant’s “Access Persons”.
The Registrant’s securities transaction policy requires that an Access Person of the
Registrant must provide the Chief Compliance Officer or his/her designee with a written
report of their current securities holdings within ten (10) days after becoming an Access
Person. Additionally, each Access Person must provide or make available to the Chief
Compliance Officer or his/her designee a list of reportable transactions each calendar
quarter as well as a written annual report of the Access Person’s securities holdings;
provided, however that at any time that the Registrant has only one Access Person, he or
she shall not be required to submit any securities report described above.
D. The Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant may buy or sell securities, at or
around the same time as those securities are recommended to clients. This practice creates
a situation where the Registrant and/or representatives of the Registrant are in a position to
materially benefit from the sale or purchase of those securities. Therefore, this situation
creates a conflict of interest. As indicated above in Item 11 C, the Registrant has a personal
securities transaction policy in place to monitor the personal securities transaction and
securities holdings of each of Registrant’s Access Persons.
Item 12
Brokerage Practices
A. In the event that the client requests that Registrant recommend a broker-dealer/custodian
for execution and/or custodial services (exclusive of those clients that may direct Registrant
to use a specific broker-dealer/custodian), Registrant recommends that investment
management accounts be maintained at Raymond James. Prior to engaging Registrant to
provide investment management services, the client will be required to enter into a formal
advisory agreement with the Registrant setting forth the terms and conditions under which
Registrant shall manage the client's assets, and a separate custodial/clearing agreement with
each designated broker-dealer/custodian.
Factors that Registrant considers in recommending Raymond James (or any other broker-
dealer/custodian to clients) include historical relationship with Registrant, financial
strength, reputation, execution capabilities, pricing, research, and service. Although the
commissions and/or transaction fees paid by Registrant's clients shall comply with
Registrant's duty to seek best execution, a client may pay a commission that is higher than
another qualified broker-dealer might charge to effect the same transaction where
Registrant determines, in good faith, that the commission/transaction fee is reasonable. In
seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible cost, but whether
the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into consideration the full
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range of a broker-dealer’s services, including the value of research provided, execution
capability, commission rates, and responsiveness. Accordingly, although Registrant will
seek competitive rates, it may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates
for client account transactions. The brokerage commissions or transaction fees charged by
the designated broker-dealer/custodian are exclusive of, and in addition to, Registrant's
investment management fee. Registrant’s best execution responsibility is qualified if
securities that it purchases for client accounts are mutual funds that trade at net asset value
as determined at the daily market close.
1. Research and Additional Benefits
Although not a material consideration when determining whether to recommend that a
client utilize the services of a particular broker-dealer/custodian, Registrant receives from
Raymond James (or another broker-dealer/custodian, investment platform, unaffiliated
investment manager, vendor, unaffiliated product/fund sponsor, or vendor) without cost
(and/or at a discount) support services and/or products, certain of which assist Registrant
to better monitor and service client accounts maintained at such institutions. Included
within the support services that may be obtained by Registrant may be investment-related
research, pricing information and market data, software and other technology that provide
access to client account data, compliance related and/or practice management related
publications, discounted or gratis consulting services, discounted and/or gratis attendance
at conferences, meetings, and other educational and/or social events, marketing support,
computer hardware and/or software and/or other products used by Registrant in furtherance
of its investment advisory business operations.
As indicated above, certain of the support services and/or products received may assist
Registrant in managing and administering client accounts. Others do not directly provide
such assistance, but rather assist Registrant to manage and further develop its business
enterprise.
There is no corresponding commitment made by Registrant to Raymond James or any other
entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual
funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
As indicated above, certain of the support services and/or products received may assist
Registrant in managing and administering client accounts. Others do not directly provide
such assistance, but rather assist Registrant to manage and further develop its business
enterprise.
There is no corresponding commitment made by Registrant to Raymond James or any other
entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific mutual
funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
2. Registrant does not receive referrals from broker-dealers.
3. Registrant does not generally accept directed brokerage arrangements (when a client
requires that account transactions be effected through a specific broker-dealer). In such
client directed arrangements, the client will negotiate terms and arrangements for their
account with that broker-dealer, and Registrant will not seek better execution services or
prices from other broker-dealers or be able to “batch” the client's transactions for execution
through other broker-dealers with orders for other accounts managed by Registrant. As a
result, client may pay higher commissions or other transaction costs or greater spreads, or
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receive less favorable net prices, on transactions for the account than would otherwise be
the case.
In the event that the client directs Registrant to effect securities transactions for the client's
accounts through a specific broker-dealer, the client correspondingly acknowledges that
such direction may cause the accounts to incur higher commissions or transaction costs
than the accounts would otherwise incur had the client determined to effect account
transactions through alternative clearing arrangements that may be available through
Registrant. Higher transaction costs adversely impact account performance.
Transactions for directed accounts will generally be executed following the execution of
portfolio transactions for non-directed accounts.
B. To the extent that the Registrant provides investment management services to its clients,
the transactions for each client account generally will be effected independently, unless the
Registrant decides to purchase or sell the same securities for several clients at
approximately the same time. The Registrant may (but is not obligated to) combine or
“bunch” such orders to seek best execution, to negotiate more favorable commission rates
or to allocate equitably among the Registrant’s clients differences in prices and
commissions or other transaction costs that might have been obtained had such orders been
placed independently. Under this procedure, transactions will be averaged as to price and
will be allocated among clients in proportion to the purchase and sale orders placed for
each client account on any given day. The Registrant shall not receive any additional
compensation or remuneration as a result of such aggregation.
Item 13
Review of Accounts
A. For those clients to whom Registrant provides investment supervisory services, account
reviews are conducted on an ongoing basis by the Registrant’s representatives. All
investment supervisory clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to advise the
Registrant of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. All
clients (in person or via telephone) are encouraged to review financial planning issues (to
the extent applicable), investment objectives and account performance with the Registrant
on an annual basis.
B. The Registrant may conduct account reviews on an other than periodic basis upon the
occurrence of a triggering event, such as a change in client investment objectives and/or
financial situation, market corrections and client request.
C. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction confirmation notices and
regular written summary account statements directly from the broker-dealer/custodian
and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The Registrant may also provide a written
periodic report summarizing account activity and performance.
Item 14
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. As referenced in Item 12.A.1 above, the Registrant receives an economic benefit from
broker-dealers. The Registrant, without cost (and/or at a discount), receives support
services and/or products from broker-dealers.
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There is no corresponding commitment made by the Registrant to a broker-dealer or any
other entity to invest any specific amount or percentage of client assets in any specific
mutual funds, securities or other investment products as a result of the above arrangement.
B. The Registrant does not compensate, directly or indirectly, any person, other than its
representatives/employees, for client referrals.
Item 15
Custody
The Registrant shall have the ability to have its advisory fee for each client debited by the
custodian on a quarterly basis. Clients are provided, at least quarterly, with written transaction
confirmation notices and regular written summary account statements directly from the
broker-dealer/custodian and/or program sponsor for the client accounts. The Registrant may
also provide a written periodic report summarizing account activity and performance.
To the extent that the Registrant provides clients with periodic account statements or
reports, the client is urged to compare any statement or report provided by the Registrant
with the account statements received from the account custodian.
The account custodian does not verify the accuracy of the Registrant’s advisory fee
calculation.
The Registrant engages in other practices and services on behalf of its clients that require
disclosure at ADV Part 1, Item 9. In particular, certain clients have signed asset transfer
authorizations which permit the qualified custodian to rely upon instructions from the
Registrant to transfer client funds to “third parties.” These arrangements are reflected at
ADV Part 1, Item 9, but in accordance with the guidance provided in the SEC’s February
21, 2017 Investment Adviser Association No-Action Letter, the affected accounts are not
subjected to an annual surprise CPA examination.
Item 16
Investment Discretion
The client can determine to engage the Registrant to provide investment advisory services
on a discretionary basis. Prior to the Registrant assuming discretionary authority over a
client’s account, the client shall be required to execute an Investment Advisory Agreement,
naming the Registrant as the client’s attorney and agent in fact, granting the Registrant full
authority to buy, sell, or otherwise effect investment transactions involving the assets in
the client’s name found in the discretionary account.
Clients who engage the Registrant on a discretionary basis may, at any time, impose
restrictions, in writing, on the Registrant’s discretionary authority (i.e., limit the
types/amounts of particular securities purchased for their account, exclude the ability to
purchase securities with an inverse relationship to the market, limit or proscribe the
Registrant’s use of margin, etc.).
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Item 17
Voting Client Securities
A. The Registrant does not vote client proxies. Clients maintain exclusive responsibility for:
(1) directing the manner in which proxies solicited by issuers of securities beneficially
owned by the client shall be voted, and (2) making all elections relative to any mergers,
acquisitions, tender offers, bankruptcy proceedings or other type events pertaining to the
client’s investment assets.
B. Clients will receive their proxies or other solicitations directly from their custodian. Clients
may contact the Registrant to discuss any questions they may have with a particular
solicitation.
Item 18
Financial Information
A. The Registrant does not require clients to pay fees of more than $1,200, per client, six
months or more in advance.
B. The Registrant is unaware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair its
ability to meet its contractual commitments relating to its discretionary authority over
certain client accounts.
C. The Registrant has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
The Registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer, Eric Johnson, remains available to address any
questions that a client or prospective client may have regarding the disclosures in this
Brochure.
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