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Trivium Point Advisory LLC
FORM ADV PART 2A – DISCLOSURE BROCHURE
Item 1 – Cover Page
40 Danbury Road, Suite 310,
Wilton, CT 06897
This Form ADV 2A (“Disclosure Brochure”) provides information about the qualifications and
business practices of Trivium Point Advisory LLC (“TPA” or the “Advisor”). If you have any
questions regarding the content of this Disclosure Brochure, please do not hesitate to contact the
Advisor’s Chief Compliance Officer, George Gerhard, by telephone at (203) 221-3085. The
information in this Disclosure Brochure has not been approved or verified by the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
TPA is a registered investment advisor. Registration with the SEC or any state securities authority
does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Additional information about TPA is available
on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with the Advisor’s firm name or
CRD# 292182.
March 28, 2025
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Item 2 – Material Changes
Form ADV Part 2 requires registered investment advisors to amend their Disclosure Brochure
when information becomes materially inaccurate. If there are any material changes to the
Advisor’s Disclosure Brochure, the Advisor is required to notify you and provide you with a
description of the material changes.
The following material changes have been made to this Disclosure Brochure since the annual
amendment filing on March 28, 2025:
• The Advisor’s primary address has changed to 40 Danbury Road, Suite 310, Wilton, CT
06897
Future Changes
From time to time, the Advisor may amend this Disclosure Brochure to reflect changes in
business practices, changes in regulations or routine annual updates as required by the securities
regulators. This complete Disclosure Brochure or a Summary of Material Changes shall be
provided to you annually and if a material change occurs.
You may view the current Disclosure Brochure on-line at the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public
Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with the Advisor’s firm name or
CRD# 292182. You may also request a copy of this Disclosure Brochure at any time, by
contacting the Advisor at (203) 221-3085 or by email at info@triviumpoint.com.
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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 ............................................................................................................................ 5
A. Description of the Advisory Firm ..................................................................................................... 5
B. Types of Advisory Services .............................................................................................................. 5
C. Client-Tailored Advisory Services ................................................................................................... 9
D. Assets Under Management ............................................................................................................... 9
Item 5 - Fees and Compensation ................................................................................................................. 10
A. Fees for Advisory Services ............................................................................................................. 10
B. Payment of Fees .............................................................................................................................. 11
C. Clients Responsible for Custodial and Brokerage Fees .................................................................. 12
D. Prepayment of Fees ........................................................................................................................ 13
E. Outside Compensation for the Sale of Securities or Other Investment Products to Clients .......... 14
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ............................................................. 15
Item 7 - Types of Clients ............................................................................................................................. 15
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ..................................................... 15
A. Methods of Analysis and Risk of Loss ........................................................................................... 15
B. Material Risks ................................................................................................................................. 16
C. Use of Independent Managers ........................................................................................................ 20
D. Unusual Risks of Specific Securities .............................................................................................. 20
Item 9 – Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................... 22
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ................................................................... 22
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions ................................................. 24
A. Description of Code of Ethics ........................................................................................................ 24
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices ..................................................................................................................... 24
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker-Dealers ............................................................. 24
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B. Trade Aggregation .......................................................................................................................... 30
Item 13 – Review of Accounts .................................................................................................................... 30
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those Reviews .............................. 30
B. Other Reviews ................................................................................................................................ 31
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients .................................................... 31
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation ................................................................................... 31
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to Clients ............................ 31
B. Compensation to non-Supervised Persons for Client Referrals ..................................................... 31
Item 15 – Custody ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Item 16 – Investment Discretion .................................................................................................................. 32
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 32
Item 18 – Financial Information .................................................................................................................. 32
A. Balance Sheet ................................................................................................................................. 32
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet Contractual Commitments to
Clients ............................................................................................................................................. 32
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Years ......................................................................................... 33
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Item 4 - Advisory Business
A. Description of the Advisory Firm
Trivium Point Advisory LLC (“TPA” or the “Advisor”) is a limited liability company organized
in the State of Delaware, located in the State of Connecticut. TPA became an investment
advisory firm registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in
February 2018. TPA is owned by Trivium Point Financial Holdings LLC. The majority owners
of Trivium Point Financial Holdings LLC are George Gerhard and Ron Pac. The Advisor is
operated by George Gerhard (Managing Partner, Chief Compliance Officer) and Ron Pac.
All statements in this Disclosure Brochure, including those made in the present tense, describe
the prospective business of TPA. If you have any questions regarding the content of this
Disclosure Brochure, please do not hesitate to contact the Advisor’s Chief Compliance Officer,
George Gerhard by telephone at (203) 221-3085.
B. Types of Advisory Services
TPA offers investment advisory services to individuals, high net worth individuals, family
offices, trusts, and retirement/profit-sharing plans (each referred to as a “Client”).
The Advisor serves as a fiduciary to Clients, as defined under applicable laws and regulations.
As a fiduciary, the Advisor upholds a duty of loyalty, fairness and good faith towards each Client
and seeks to mitigate potential conflicts of interest. TPA’s fiduciary commitment is further
described in the Advisor’s Code of Ethics. For more information regarding the Code of Ethics,
please see Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading.
TPA advises Clients in all areas of financial management, including tax-efficient wealth
accumulation, retirement, estate and gift planning as well as income planning. TPA’s
comprehensive services can include values-based wealth, income and estate planning, assistance
with insurance, real-estate holdings, multigenerational wealth planning and entrepreneurial needs
and philanthropy.
Financial Planning Services
TPA offers its Clients a variety of comprehensive financial planning and consulting services.
Generally, such financial planning services will involve preparing a financial plan or rendering a
financial consultation based on the Client’s financial goals and objectives. This planning or
consulting may encompass one or more areas of need, including, but not limited to cash flow
analysis, investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, personal savings, educational
savings, and other areas of a Client’s financial situation.
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A financial plan developed for or financial consultation rendered to the Client will typically
include general recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the
Client. For example, recommendations may be made that the Client start or revise their
investment programs, commence or alter retirement savings, establish education savings and/or
charitable giving programs. TPA may recommend the services of itself and/or other professionals
to implement its recommendations. Depending on Client circumstances, TPA may also offer the
preparation of tax returns as part of its financial planning services. Clients are advised that a
conflict of interest exists if pursuant to a separate financial consultation arrangement, TPA
recommends its own services, as such a recommendation may increase the amount of advisory
fees paid to TPA. The Client is under no obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made
by TPA or its Advisory Persons under a financial planning or consulting engagement to engage
the services of any such recommended professional, including TPA itself.
Investment Management Services
Internal Investment Management – TPA’s portfolio construction process follows five basic
principles that manage risk, maximize diversification, use alternative investments, capitalize on
traditional asset classes and maintain a consistent portfolio process.
In designing and implementing customized models and portfolio strategies, TPA manages, on
either a discretionary or non-discretionary basis, a broad range of investment strategies and
vehicles. TPA primarily allocates Client assets among various mutual funds, exchange-traded
funds (“ETFs”), and individual debt and equity securities in accordance with Clients’ stated
investment goals and objectives. In addition, TPA can design and implement customized
strategies, managing a broad range of investment strategies and vehicles including traditional asset
classes and alternative investments. The Advisor may retain other types of investments from the
Client’s legacy portfolio due to fit with the overall portfolio strategy, tax-related reasons, or other
reasons as identified between the Advisor and the Client.
Where appropriate and requested by Clients, TPA may also provide advice about positions held in
their portfolios prior to engaging TPA. Clients may also engage TPA to manage and/or advise on
certain investment products that are not maintained at their primary Custodian, including, but not
limited to, variable life insurance and annuity contracts, assets held in employee sponsored
retirement plans and qualified tuition plans (for example, 529 plans). In those situations, TPA
directs or recommends the allocation of Client assets among the various investment options
available with the product. These assets are generally maintained at the underwriting insurance
company or the Custodian designated by the product’s provider. Certain external managers utilized
by TPA may use Custodians other than the primary Custodian recommended by TPA.
Use of External Managers – TPA also recommends to Clients that all or a portion of their
investment portfolio be managed on a discretionary basis by one or more unaffiliated money
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managers or investment platforms (“External Managers”). The Client may be required to enter into
a separate agreement with the External Manager[s], which will set forth the terms and conditions
of the Client’s engagement of the External Manager or will receive a Statement of Investment
Selection in a single contract relationship. TPA generally renders services to the Client relative to
the discretionary selection of External Managers. TPA will assist in establishing the Client’s
investment objectives for the assets managed by External Managers, monitors and reviews the
account performance and defines any restrictions on the account[s]. TPA will perform initial and
ongoing oversight and due diligence over the selected External Manager[s] to ensure the External
Managers’ strategies and target allocations remain aligned with its Clients’ investment objectives
and overall best interests. The investment management fees charged by the designated External
Manager[s], together with the fees charged by the corresponding designated broker-
dealer/Custodian of the Client’s assets, are exclusive of, and in addition to, the annual advisory fee
charged by TPA.
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios® Platform – For certain Clients, TPA may recommend that all or
a portion of a Client’s investment portfolio be established through an automated investment
program offered by TPA and made available through the Custodian, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
(“Schwab”). Under this service, Clients will engage TPA through an investment management
agreement for these advisory services and utilize the Institutional Intelligent Portfolios® Platform
(“IIP”) offered by Schwab Performance Technologies, a software provider affiliated with Schwab.
IIP is an automated investment engine through which TPA manages the Client’s portfolio on an
ongoing basis through automatic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting. TPA will have the
discretionary authority to instruct IIP with respect to portfolio construction, consisting of only
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and asset allocation, subject to the limitations described herein.
IIP will implement the portfolio and will have discretionary authority to automatically rebalance
the portfolio back to the Client’s target allocation.
IIP utilizes ETFs, representing various asset classes for the construction of investment portfolios.
TPA will work with each Client to select a portfolio to meets the needs of the Client. The Client
has limited ability to put restrictions on its account[s]. The portfolios cannot contain investments
that are not included in the IIP universe of available ETFs.
TPA will delegate limited investment discretion to IIP to implement trading and rebalancing within
the parameters of the Advisor’s investment strategies. The Advisor’s investment philosophy is
long-term, but the Advisor may make such tactical overrides to take advantage of market pricing
anomalies or strong market sectors. Client portfolios must maintain a minimum balance of $5,000
to be eligible for automatic rebalancing. Prior to engagement, the Advisor will provide the Client
with the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Sweep Program Disclosure Statement. The Advisor shall
only earn its fees as described in Item 5 below.
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Schwab Bank Pledged Asset Line® - The Advisor may introduce certain Clients to a Pledged Asset
Line®, a non-purpose revolving line of credit available offered through Charles Schwab Bank,
secured by eligible assets held in an account maintained at the Custodian. (“Lending Program”). In
such instances, the Client’s assets in their account[s] at the Custodian will be utilized as collateral
for a non-purpose revolving line of credit. The recommendation of a Lending Program presents a
conflict of interest as the Advisor will continue to receive investment advisory fees for managing
the collateralized assets in the Client’s account[s]. Clients are not obligated to engage the Advisor
for the Lending Program. For additional information related to the risks involved non-purpose
loans, please see Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss.
Participant Account Management- As part of the Advisor’s Investment Management Services,
when appropriate, the Advisor will use a third party platform to facilitate management of held
away assets such as defined contribution plan participant accounts, with discretion. The platform
allows the Advisor to avoid being considered to have custody of Client funds since the Advisor
does not have direct access to Client log-in credentials to affect trades. The Advisor is not affiliated
with the platform in any way and do not receive compensation from them for using their platform.
A link will be provided to the Client allowing them to connect an account(s) to the platform. Once
Client account(s) is connected to the platform, the Advisor will review the current account
allocations. When deemed necessary, the Advisor will rebalance the account considering client
investment goals and risk tolerance, and changes in allocations will take into account current
economic and market trends. The goal is to improve account performance over time, minimize loss
during difficult markets, and manage internal fees that harm account performance. Client
account(s) will be reviewed at least quarterly and allocation changes will be made as deemed
necessary.
Retirement Accounts- When the Advisor provides investment advice to Clients regarding ERISA
retirement accounts or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), the Advisor is a fiduciary within
the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) and/or the
Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts.
When deemed to be in the Client’s best interest, the Advisor will provide investment advice to a
Client regarding a distribution from an ERISA retirement account or to roll over the assets to an
IRA, or recommend a similar transaction including rollovers from one ERISA sponsored Plan to
another, one IRA to another IRA, or from one type of account to another account (e.g.
commission-based account to fee-based account). Such a recommendation creates a conflict of
interest if the Advisor will earn a new (or increase its current) advisory fee as a result of the
transaction. No client is under any obligation to roll over a retirement account to an account
managed by the Advisor.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
TPA provides 3(21) retirement plan advisory services on behalf of the retirement plans (each a
“Plan”) and the company (the “Plan Sponsor”). The Advisor’s retirement plan advisory services
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are designed to assist the Plan Sponsor in meeting its fiduciary obligations to the Plan and its
Plan Participants. Each engagement is customized to the needs of the Plan and Plan Sponsor.
Services generally include:
Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”) Design and Monitoring
Investment Oversight Services
• Vendor Analysis
• Plan Participant Enrollment and Education Tracking
•
•
• Performance Reporting
• Ongoing Investment Recommendation and Assistance
• ERISA 404(c) Assistance
These services are provided by TPA serving in the capacity as a fiduciary under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). In accordance with ERISA
Section 408(b)(2), the Plan Sponsor is provided with a written description of TPA’s fiduciary
status, the specific services to be rendered and all direct and indirect compensation the Advisor
reasonably expects under the engagement.
C. Client-Tailored Advisory Services
Each Client’s needs are different. TPA tailors its investment advisory services to the specific
needs of each Client. Each investment advisory Client is provided an Advisory Person whose
role is to facilitate the provision of investment advisory services that are tailored to the Client’s
unique circumstances. TPA consults with Clients on an initial and ongoing basis to assess their
specific risk tolerance, time horizon, income tax issues, liquidity constraints and other related
factors relevant to the management of their portfolios. If a Client’s financial situation changes, or
if their investment objectives or risk tolerance changes, Clients are advised to promptly advise
TPA of such changes or if they wish to place any limitations on the management of their
portfolios. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on the management of their accounts if
TPA determines, in its sole discretion, that the conditions would not materially impact the
performance of a management strategy or prove overly burdensome for TPA’s management
efforts.
D. Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2024, TPA has $1,487,605,211 in regulatory assets under management,
$911,835,244 of which are managed on a discretionary basis and $575,769,967 on a non-
discretionary basis. Clients can request more recent information at any time by contacting the
Advisor.
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Item 5 - Fees and Compensation
A. Fees for Advisory Services
Investment Management Services
TPA charges an annual advisory fee that is agreed upon with each Client and set forth in an
agreement executed by TPA and the Client. TPA’s fee for investment advisory services is
negotiable and varies based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the size of the
relationship, the nature and complexity of the products and investments involved, time
commitments and travel requirements. The fee generally ranges between 0.10% and 1.25%
annually of the value of the assets under management. For the initial quarter, the fee shall be
calculated in arrears on a pro rata basis, based upon the period ending value of assets under
management as provided by third-party sources, such as pricing services, Custodians, fund
administrators, and Client-provided sources. For subsequent quarters, the advisory fee generally
is payable in advance (except for services to participant-directed 401k plans, which generally are
payable in arrears), based on the value of assets under management on the last business day of
the previous quarter as provided by third-party sources, such as pricing services, Custodians,
fund administrators, and Client-provided sources. TPA will conduct periodic reviews of asset
valuations to ensure accurate billing. For Clients referred by TPA to an External Manager, the
Client’s fee will be deducted from the Client’s account[s] with the respective External Manager
and a portion of the fee will be provided to TPA based on TPA’s agreement with the Client.
The Client may make additions or withdrawals from the account[s] at any time, subject to the
Advisor’s right to terminate an account or the overall relationship. Additions may be in cash or
securities provided that the Advisor reserves the right to liquidate any transferred securities or
decline to accept particular securities into a Client’s account[s]. Clients may withdraw account
assets on notice to TPA, subject to the usual and customary securities settlement procedures.
However, the Advisor typically designs its investment portfolios as long-term investments and
the withdrawal of assets may impair the achievement of a Client’s investment objectives. TPA
may consult the Client about certain implications such transactions. Clients are advised that
when such securities are liquidated, they may be subject to securities transaction fees, short-term
redemption fees, and/or tax ramifications. If assets in excess of $50,000 are deposited into or
withdrawn from the Client’s account[s], the Advisor’s fee will be adjusted in the next billing
period to reflect the fee difference. The Advisor, at its sole discretion, will negotiate a fee that
differs from the schedule above for certain account[s] or holdings.
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios® Platform – Investment management fees are paid in advance
of each calendar quarter, pursuant to the terms of the investment management agreement.
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Investment management fees are based on the market value of assets under management at the end
of the prior calendar quarter. Investment management fees range from 0.10% to 1.25% annually.
Financial Planning Services
TPA’s fee for financial planning services is separate and apart from the annual advisory fee.
Such fee is negotiable and is based on an hourly rate of $250 to $500 per hour or an agreed-upon
flat fee. An estimate for total hours and/or overall costs will be provided to the Client prior to
engaging for these services.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Fees for retirement plan advisory services are charged an annual asset-based fee of up to 1.00%,
billed quarterly in arrears, pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Retirement plan advisory fees
are based on the market value of assets under management at the end of the calendar quarter.
Fees may be negotiable depending on the size and complexity of the Plan.
Employees and family members of the Advisor may receive waived or reduced fees. TPA does
not maintain a minimum fee or a minimum level of account assets.
B. Payment of Fees
Investment Management Services
TPA generally deducts its advisory fee from a Client’s investment account[s] held at his/her
Custodian. Upon engaging TPA to manage such account[s], a Client grants TPA this limited
authority through a written instruction to the Custodian of his/her account[s]. Each quarter, the
quarterly fee will be debited from the Client’s account[s] held at the Client’s Custodian. The
Client is responsible to verify the accuracy of the calculation of the advisory fee; the Custodian
will not determine whether the fee is accurate or properly calculated. A Client may utilize the
same procedure for financial planning or consulting fees if the Client has investment accounts
held at a Custodian.
Although Clients generally are required to have their investment advisory fees deducted from
their accounts, in some cases, TPA will directly bill a Client for investment advisory fees if it
determines that such billing arrangement is appropriate given the circumstances.
The Custodian of the Client’s accounts provides each Client with a monthly statement indicating
separate line items for all amounts disbursed from the Client's account[s], including any fees paid
to TPA.
Clients may make additions to and withdrawals from their account[s] at any time, subject to TPA’s
right to terminate an account. Additions may be in cash or securities provided that the Advisor
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reserves the right to liquidate transferred securities or decline to accept particular securities into a
Client’s account[s]. Clients may withdraw account assets at any time on notice to TPA, subject to
the usual and customary securities settlement procedures. However, the Advisor generally designs
its portfolios as long-term investments and the withdrawal of assets may impair the achievement
of a Client’s investment objectives. TPA may consult with its Clients about the options and
implications of transferring securities. Clients are advised that when transferred securities are
liquidated, they may be subject to transaction fees, short-term redemption fees, fees assessed at the
mutual fund level (e.g. contingent deferred sales charges) and/or tax ramifications.
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios® Platform – TPA deducts its advisory fee from the Client’s
investment account[s] at Schwab, as authorized by the Client as part of the investment management
agreement. Schwab does not collect any additional fees as part of this service.
Financial Planning Services
Financial planning fees may be invoiced up to one hundred percent (100%) of the total fee at the
time the Client enters into the financial planning agreement. TPA will not collect an advance fee of
$1,200 or more for services that will take six (6) months or more to complete.
Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Retirement plan advisory fees may be directly invoiced to the Plan Sponsor or deducted from the
assets of the Plan, depending on the terms of the retirement plan advisory agreement.
C. Clients Responsible for Custodial and Brokerage Fees
In connection with TPA’s management of a Client’s account[s], a Client will incur fees and/or
expenses separate from TPA’s advisory fee. These additional fees may include transaction
charges and the fees/expenses charged by any Custodian, subadvisor, mutual fund (such as 12b-1
fees), separate account manager (and the manager’s platform manager, if any), limited
partnership, or other advisor, transfer taxes, odd lot differentials, exchange fees, interest charges,
ADR processing fees, and any charges, taxes or other fees mandated by any federal, state or
other applicable law, retirement plan account fees (where applicable), margin interest, brokerage
commissions, mark-ups or mark-downs and other transaction-related costs, electronic fund and
wire fees, and any other fees that reasonably may be borne by a brokerage account. Certain if
TPA’s recommended Custodian do not charge securities transaction fees for ETF and equity
trades in a Client's account, provided that the account meets the terms and conditions of the
Custodian's brokerage requirements. However, these Custodians typically charge for mutual
funds and other types of investments. For External Managers, Clients should review each
manager’s Form ADV Part 2A – Disclosure Brochure and any contract they sign with the
External Manager (in a dual contract relationship). The Client is responsible for all such fees and
expenses. Please see Item 12 of this Disclosure Brochure regarding brokerage practices.
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D. Prepayment of Fees
Investment Management Services
Clients have five (5) business days from the date of execution of the Client agreement to
terminate TPA’s services without incurring any advisory fees. The investment advisory
agreement between TPA and the Client may be terminated at will by either TPA or the Client.
TPA does not impose termination fees when the Client terminates the investment advisory
relationship, except when agreed upon in advance. TPA’s investment advisory fees generally are
paid in advance. Upon the termination of a Client’s investment advisory relationship, TPA will
issue a refund equal to any unearned management fee for the remainder of the quarter. The
Client may specify how he/she would like such refund issued (i.e., a check sent directly to the
Client or a check sent to the Client’s Custodian for deposit into his/her account). The Client’s
investment advisory agreement with TPA is non-transferable without the Client’s prior consent.
In the event that a Client should wish to terminate their relationship with an External Manager,
the terms for termination will be set forth in the respective agreements between the Client or the
Advisor and the External Manager. TPA will assist the Client with the termination and transition
as appropriate.
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios® Platform – Investment management fees charged for IIP
account[s] are collected quarterly, in advance of investment management services being rendered.
The Client may terminate the account[s] with IIP, at any time, by providing advance written notice
to the Advisor. The Advisor will assist in facilitating the assets or will refund any unearned,
prepaid investment management fees from the effective date of termination to the end of the
quarter.
Financial Planning Services
TPA may require an advanced deposit as described above. The financial planning agreement
between TPA and the Client may be terminated at will by either TPA or the Client. The Client
will incur charges for bona fide advisory services rendered to the point of termination and such
fees will be due and payable by the Client. Upon termination, the Client shall be billed for actual
hours logged on the planning project times the contractual hourly rate or in the case of a fixed fee
engagement, the percentage of the engagement scope completed by the Advisor. Upon
termination, the Advisor will promptly refund any unearned, prepaid planning fees. The Client’s
financial planning agreement with the Advisor is non-transferable without the Client’s prior
consent.
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Retirement Plan Advisory Services
TPA is compensated for its retirement plan advisory services at the end of the quarter after
advisory services are rendered. The retirement plan advisory agreement between TPA and the
Client may be terminated at will by either TPA or the Client. The Client shall be responsible for
investment advisory fees up to and including the effective date of termination. The Client’s
retirement plan services agreement with the Advisor is non-transferable without the Client’s
prior consent.
E. Outside Compensation for the Sale of Securities or Other Investment Products
to Clients
TPA does not buy or sell securities and does not receive any compensation for securities
transactions in any Client account, other than the investment advisory fees noted above.
Certain representatives who provide investment advice to Clients (our “Advisory Persons”) are
registered representatives of LPL Financial LLC. (“LPL Financial”) a FINRA-registered broker-
dealer and member of SIPC.
An Advisory Person of TPA will implement securities transactions, acting in one’s separate
capacity as registered representative, on a commission basis through LPL Financial instead of
TPA. In such instances, the Advisory Person will receive commission-based compensation in
connection with the purchase and sale of securities, as well as a share of any ongoing distribution
or service (trail) fees, including 12b-1 fees for the sale of investment company products.
Compensation earned by the Advisory Person in his or her capacity as a registered representative
is separate from and in addition to TPA’s advisory fee charged on Client assets held in advisory
accounts. The receipt of such compensation by an Advisory Person presents a conflict of interest
as an Advisory Person who is a registered representative has an incentive to effect securities
transactions for the purpose of generating commissions and 12b-1 fees rather than solely based
on the Client’s needs. Clients may be able to obtain these products less expensively through
sources other than LPL Financial that do not generate compensation for the Advisory Person.
TPA addresses this conflict through disclosure and additionally notes that the Advisor does not
charge advisory fees on assets where one of our Advisory Persons, acting in one’s separate
capacity as registered representative, received brokerage compensation (e.g., it does not “double
dip”). TPA notes that Clients are under no obligation to purchase securities products through LPL
Financial or our Advisory Persons or otherwise engage such persons and may choose brokers or
agents not affiliated with TPA or LPL Financial, and in some cases, could purchase products
directly from fund companies without paying brokerage compensation.
Advisory Persons of TPA are also licensed as insurance professionals through an affiliate of TPA,
Trivium Point Insurance Group, LLC. Such persons earn commission-based compensation for
selling insurance products to Clients. Insurance commissions earned by Advisory Persons who
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are insurance professionals are separate from and in addition to TPA’s advisory fee. This practice
presents a conflict of interest as an Advisory Person who is an insurance professional may have
an incentive to recommend insurance products for the purpose of generating commissions rather
than solely based on Client needs. Clients are under no obligation to purchase insurance products
through any person affiliated with TPA.
Item 6 - Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
TPA does not charge performance-based fees or participate in side-by-side management.
Performance-based fees are fees that are based on a share of a capital gains or capital
appreciation of a Client’s account[s]. Side-by-side management refers to the practice of
managing accounts that are charged performance-based fees while at the same time managing
accounts that are not charged performance-based fees. TPA’s fees are calculated as described in
Item 5 above.
Item 7 - Types of Clients
TPA offers investment advisory services to individuals, high net worth individuals, family
offices, trusts, and retirement/profit-sharing plans. TPA generally does not impose a minimum
account size for establishing a relationship.
Item 8 - Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss
A. Methods of Analysis and Risk of Loss
The first step in TPA’s investment strategy is getting to know the Client – to understand the
Client’s financial condition, risk profile, investment goals, tax situation, liquidity constraints –
and assemble a complete picture of their financial situation. To aid in this understanding, TPA
offers financial planning services to its Clients that are highly customized and tailored. This
comprehensive approach is integral to the way that TPA does business. Once TPA has a true
understanding of its Clients’ needs and goals, the investment process can begin, and the Advisor
can recommend strategies and investments that it believes are aligned with the Clients’ goals and
risk profile. TPA may select certain external managers to manage a portion of its Clients’ assets.
TPA primarily employs fundamental analysis methods in developing investment strategies for its
Clients. Analysis from TPA is based on numerous sources, including third-party research materials
and publicly-available materials, such as company annual reports, prospectuses, and press releases.
Overall investment strategies recommended to each Client emphasize long-term ownership of a
diversified portfolio of marketable and non-marketable investments intended to provide superior
after-tax, inflation-adjusted, economic returns.
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Client portfolios with similar investment objectives and asset allocation goals may own different
securities and investments. The Client’s portfolio size, tax sensitivity, desire for simplicity, long-
term wealth transfer objectives, time horizon and choice of Custodian are all factors that influence
TPA’s investment recommendations.
B. Material Risks
Investing in individual equity or fixed income securities involves a risk of loss. A Client can lose
all or a substantial portion of his/her investment. A Client should be willing to bear such a loss.
Some investments are intended only for sophisticated investors and can involve a high degree of
risk.
The mutual funds, ETFs, and External Managers that the Advisor frequently invests Client assets
with or recommends to Clients generally own individual equity and/or fixed income securities and
therefore also involve the risk of loss that is inherent in investing in securities, and which Clients
should be prepared to bear.
The extent of the risk of ownership of fund shares generally depends on the type and number of
securities held by the fund. Mutual funds invested in fixed income securities are subject to the
same interest rate, inflation, and credit risks associated with the fund’s underlying bond holdings.
Fixed income securities may decrease in value as a result of many factors, for example, increases
in interest rates or adverse developments with respect to the creditworthiness of the issuer. Risks
also may be significantly increased if a mutual fund pursues an alternative investment strategy.
An investment in an alternative mutual fund involves special risks such as risk associated with
short sales, leveraging the investment, potential adverse market forces, regulatory changes, and
potential illiquidity. Investing in alternative strategies presents the opportunity for significant
losses. Returns on mutual fund investments are reduced by management costs and expenses.
An ETF’s risks include declining value of the securities held by the ETF, adverse developments
in the specific industry or sector that the ETF tracks, capital loss in geographically focused funds
because of unfavorable fluctuation in currency exchange rates, differences in generally accepted
accounting principles, or economic or political instability, tracking error, which is the difference
between the return of the ETF and the return of its benchmark and trading at a premium or
discount, meaning the difference between the ETF’s market price and NAV. ETFs also are
subject to the individual risks described in their prospectus. Although many mutual funds and
ETFs may provide diversification, risks can be significantly increased if a mutual fund or ETF is
concentrated in a particular sector of the market, primarily invests in small cap or speculative
companies, uses leverage to a significant degree, or concentrates in a particular type of security.
One of the main advantages of mutual funds and ETFs is that they give individual investors
access to professionally managed, diversified portfolios of equities, bonds and other securities.
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Although the goal of diversification is to combine investments with different characteristics so
that the risks inherent in any one investment can be balanced by assets that move in different
cycles or respond to different market factors, diversification does not eliminate the risk of loss.
In some circumstances, price movements may be highly correlated across securities and funds. A
specific fund may not be diversified and a Client portfolio may not be diversified. Additionally,
when diversification is a Client objective, there is risk that the strategies that the Advisor uses
may not be successful in achieving the desired level of diversification. There is also risk that the
strategies, resources, and analytical methods that the Advisor uses to identify mutual funds and
ETFs will not be successful in identifying investment opportunities.
The following events also could cause mutual funds, ETFs, equities and fixed income securities
and other investments managed for Clients, as well as those managed by External Managers, to
decrease in value:
• Market Risk: The price of an equity security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction
to tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external
factors independent of a security’s particular underlying circumstances. For example,
changes in political, economic and social conditions may trigger adverse market events.
•
Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to fluctuate.
For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less attractive,
causing their market values to decline.
• Event Risk: An adverse event affecting a particular company or that company’s industry
could depress the price of a Client’s investments in that company’s stocks or bonds. The
company, government or other entity that issued bonds in a Client’s portfolio could
become less able to, or fail to, repay, service or refinance its debts, or the issuer’s credit
rating could be downgraded by a rating agency. Adverse events affecting a particular
country, including political and economic instability, could depress the value of
investments in issuers headquartered or doing business in that country.
• Liquidity Risk: Securities that are normally liquid may become difficult or impossible to
sell at an acceptable price during periods of economic instability or other emergency
conditions. Some securities may be infrequently or thinly traded even under normal
market conditions.
• Leverage Risk: The use of leverage may lead to increased volatility of a fund’s NAV and
market price relative to its common shares. Leverage is likely to magnify any losses in
the fund’s portfolio, which may lead to increased market price declines. Fluctuations in
interest rates on borrowings or the dividend rates on preferred shares that take place from
changes in short- term interest rates may reduce the return to common shareholders or
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result in fluctuations in the dividends paid on common shares. There is no assurance that
a leveraging strategy will be successful.
• Domestic and/or Foreign Political Risk: The events that occur in the U.S. relating to
politics, government, and elections can affect the U.S. markets. Political events occurring
in the home country of a foreign company such as revolutions, nationalization, and
currency collapse can have an impact on the security.
•
Inflation Risk: Countries around the globe may be more, or less, prone to inflation than
the U.S. economy at any given time. Companies operating in countries with higher
inflation rates may find it more difficult to post profits reflecting its underlying health.
• Currency or Exchange Risk: Overseas investments denominated in foreign currencies are
subject to fluctuations in the exchange rates between such foreign currencies and the U.S.
dollar. In addition, investments denominated in foreign currencies are subject to the
possible imposition of exchange control regulations or currency restrictions or blockages.
• Operational Risk: Fund advisors and other ETF service providers may experience
disruptions or operating errors such as processing errors or human errors, inadequate or
failed internal or external processes, or systems or technology failures, that could
negatively impact the mutual fund or ETF.
• Reinvestment Risk: This risk is 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.
• Regulatory/Legislative Developments Risk: Regulators and/or legislators may promulgate
rules or pass legislation that places restrictions on, adds procedural hurdles to, affects the
liquidity of, and/or alters the risks associated with certain investment transactions or the
securities underlying such investment transactions. Such rules/legislation could affect the
value associated with such investment transactions or underlying securities
•
Illiquid Securities: Investments in hedge funds and other private investment funds may
underperform publicly offered and traded securities because such investments typically
require investors to lock-up their assets for a period and may be unable to meet
redemption requests during adverse economic conditions;
o Have limited or no liquidity because of restrictions on the transfer of, and the
absence of a market for, interests in these funds;
o Are more difficult for to monitor and value due to a lack of transparency and
publicly available information about these funds;
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o May have higher expense ratios and involve more inherent conflicts of interest
than publicly traded investments; and
o Involve different risks than investing in registered funds and other publicly
offered and traded securities. These risks may include those associated with more
concentrated, less diversified investment portfolios, investment leverage and
investments in less liquid and non-traditional asset classes.
• Non-Purpose Loans and Lines of Credit: Non-purpose loans and lines of credit carry a
number of risks, including but not limited to the risk of a market downturn, tax
implications if collateralized securities are liquidated, and an increase in interest rates. A
decline in the market value of collateralized securities held in the account[s] at the
Custodian, may result in a reduction in the draw amount of the Client’s line of credit, a
demand from the Lending Program that the Client deposit additional funds or securities
in the Client’s collateral account[s], or a forced sale of securities in the Client’s collateral
account[s].
• Cybersecurity Risk: The computer systems, networks and devices used by TPA 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 addition, substantial costs may be incurred by these entities in order to prevent
any cybersecurity breaches in the future.
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C. Use of External Managers
TPA selects certain External Managers to manage all or a portion of a Client’s assets. In these
situations, the success of such recommendations relies to a great extent on the External
Managers’ ability to successfully implement their investment strategies. In addition, TPA
generally does not have the ability to supervise the External Managers on a day-to-day basis.
D. Unusual Risks of Specific Securities
Risk Associated with Initial Public Offerings
Investments in initial public offerings (or shortly thereafter) may involve higher risks than
investments issued in secondary public offerings or purchases on a secondary market due to a
variety of factors, including, without limitation, the limited number of shares available for
trading, unseasoned trading, lack of investor knowledge of the issuer and limited operating
history of the issuer. In addition, some companies in initial public offerings are involved in
relatively new industries or lines of business, which may not be widely understood by investors.
Some of these companies may be undercapitalized or regarded as developmental stage
companies, without revenues or operating income, or the near-term prospects of achieving them.
These factors may contribute to substantial price volatility for such securities and, thus, for the
value of the company's shares.
Risks Associated with Closed-End Funds
Closed-end funds typically use a high degree of leverage. They may be diversified or non-
diversified. Risks associated with closed-end fund investments include liquidity risk, credit
risk, volatility and the risk of magnified losses resulting from the use of leverage. Additionally,
closed-end funds may trade below their net asset value.
Risks Associated with Structured Notes
• Complexity. Structured notes are complex financial instruments. Clients should
understand the reference asset[s] or index(es) and determine how the note’s payoff
structure incorporates such reference asset[s] or index(es) in calculating the note’s
performance. This payoff calculation may include leverage multiplied on the
performance of the reference asset or index, protection from losses should the reference
asset or index produce negative returns, and fees. Structured notes may have complicated
payoff structures that can make it difficult for Clients to accurately assess their value, risk
and potential for growth through the term of the structured note. Determining the
performance of each note can be complex and this calculation can vary significantly from
note to note depending on the structure. Notes can be structured in a wide variety of
ways. Payoff structures can be leveraged, inverse, or inverse-leveraged, which may result
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in larger returns or losses. Clients should carefully read the prospectus for a structured
note to fully understand how the payoff on a note will be calculated and discuss these
issues with us.
• Market risk. Some structured notes provide for the repayment of principal at maturity,
which is often referred to as “principal protection.” This principal protection is subject to
the credit risk of the issuing financial institution. Many structured notes do not offer this
feature. For structured notes that do not offer principal protection, the performance of
the linked asset or index may cause Clients to lose some, or all, of their
principal. Depending on the nature of the linked asset or index, the market risk of the
structured note may include changes in equity or commodity prices, changes in interest
rates or foreign exchange rates, and/or market volatility.
•
Issuance price and note value. The price of a structured note at issuance will likely be
higher than the fair value of the structured note on the date of issuance. Issuers now
generally disclose an estimated value of the structured note on the cover page of the
offering prospectus, allowing investors to gauge the difference between the issuer’s
estimated value of the note and the issuance price. The estimated value of the notes is
likely lower than the issuance price of the note to investors because issuers include the
costs for selling, structuring or hedging the exposure on the note in the initial price of
their notes. After issuance, structured notes may not be re-sold on a daily basis and thus
may be difficult to value given their complexity.
•
Liquidity. The ability to trade or sell structured notes in a secondary market is often very
limited as structured notes (other than exchange-traded notes known as ETNs) are not
listed for trading on security exchanges. As a result, the only potential buyer for a
structured note may be the issuing financial institution’s broker-dealer affiliate or the
broker-dealer distributor of the structured note. In addition, issuers often specifically
disclaim their intention to repurchase or make markets in the notes they issue. Clients
should, therefore, be prepared to hold a structured note to its maturity date, or risk selling
the note at a discount to its value at the time of sale.
• Credit risk. Structured notes are unsecured debt obligations of the issuer, meaning that
the issuer is obligated to make payments on the notes as promised. These promises,
including any principal protection, are only as good as the financial health of the
structured note issuer. If the structured note issuer defaults on these obligations, investors
may lose some, or all, of the principal amount they invested in the structured notes as
well as any other payments that may be due on the structured notes.
Past performance of a security or a fund is not necessarily indicative of future performance or
risk of loss.
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Item 9 – Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisors are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to a Client’s evaluation of TPA and the integrity of
TPA’s management. TPA has no information applicable to this Item.
The Advisor encourages Clients to perform the requisite due diligence on any advisor or service
provider that the Client engages. The backgrounds of the Advisor and its Advisory Persons are
on the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching
with the Advisor’s firm name or CRD# 292182.
Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Registrations with Broker-Dealer
As detailed in Item 5.E., Advisory Persons providing investment advice on behalf of the Advisor’s
firm may be registered representatives with LPL Financial. See the Fees and Compensation section
in this Disclosure Brochure for more information on the compensation received by registered
representatives who are affiliated with the Advisor.
Trivium Point Insurance Group, LLC
As detailed in Item 5.E., Advisory Persons are licensed insurance agents through an affiliated
entity, Trivium Point Insurance Group, LLC, and offer certain insurance products on a fully-
disclosed commissionable basis. This practice presents a conflict of interest as an Advisory Person
who is an insurance professional has an incentive to recommend insurance products for the purpose
of generating commissions rather than solely based on Client needs. TPA strives to make
recommendations which are in the best interests of its Clients. Clients are under no obligation to
purchase insurance products through any person affiliated with TPA. The Advisor has procedures
in place whereby it seeks to ensure that all recommendations are made in its Clients’ best interest
regardless of any such affiliations.
Merchant Wealth Management Holdings, LLC
Merchant Wealth Management Holdings, LLC ("Merchant Wealth"), a subsidiary of Merchant
Investment Management, LLC ("Merchant Investment"), owns a minority, non-controlling
interest in the Advisor. Merchant Investment, through subsidiaries other than Merchant Wealth,
has ownership interests in various companies that provide investment and other consulting
services to financial firms, including investment advisors ("Investment Solutions"). The Advisor
is provided access to use these Investment Solutions, where the Advisor may utilize the
Investment Solutions pursuant to an engagement that the Advisor enters into directly with the
third party providing the investment solution. These Investment Solutions may include, but are
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not limited to, third party money managers, private investments, pooled investment vehicles, or
other investment products for which a commission is earned. Engagement of and with these
Investment Solutions poses a conflict of interest due to the minority ownership interest that
Merchant Investment's various subsidiaries own in the third parties providing these Investment
Solutions. Through Merchant Investment's minority ownership interests in the third parties that
provide these Investment Solutions, Merchant Investment will benefit from additional revenue
that is generated when the Advisor engages any of these third-party service providers.
Accordingly, the Advisor may have an incentive to engage one or more of these Investment
Solutions. In an effort to ensure these conflicts of interest are addressed, the Advisor has
implemented a risk control and disclosure framework, the objective of which is for the Advisor
to select Investment Solutions that are in the best interest of the Client, The Advisor is not
controlled by Merchant Wealth or Merchant Investment and is operated independently where
Merchant Investment and all other related subsidiaries are not involved with the services offered
by the Advisor and maintains its own office space.
Maxim Income Opportunity Fund II, L.P.
The Advisor recommends that certain Clients, who meet the appropriate qualifications, invest
into the Maxim Income Opportunity Fund II, L.P. (herein “Maxim”). Individual owners of
Merchant Wealth, in their separate capacity, have material ownership interests in Maxim. As a
result, these individuals stand to benefit financially from additional investments made into
Maxim and from returns generated by Maxim. These individual owners of Maxim, who also
have an indirect ownership interest in the Advisor, would benefit financially in their individual
capacity if the Advisor invests Client funds into Maxim. As a result, the Advisor may have an
incentive to invest Client funds into Maxim. Prior to recommending Maxim, the Advisor will
conduct appropriate due diligence to ensure any recommendation to a Client to invest into
Maxim aligns with the Client’s investment needs and objectives. In addition, the Advisor will
provide additional disclosure information to each Client, which will include relevant details
regarding material financial interests and compensation surrounding Maxim. Neither the Advisor
nor its Supervised Persons will receive any additional compensation for investing Client funds
into Maxim. In addition, there is no requirement for the Advisor to recommend Maxim to
Clients, nor are Clients obligated to invest into Maxim.
Piton Investment Management, LP
The Advisor recommends and utilizes Piton Investment Management, LP ("Piton") as an
Independent Manager. Piton is an SEC-registered investment advisor focusing on fixed income
investment management solutions to registered investment advisors, institutions and high net
worth individuals. Individual owners of Merchant Wealth, in their separate capacity, have
ownership interests in Piton. As a result, these individuals stand to benefit financially from
additional assets managed by Piton. To ensure that the Advisor is selecting independent
managers that are in the best interest of the Client, especially Piton, the Advisor has implemented
a risk control and disclosure framework to ensure these conflicts are addressed.
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Trivium Point Accounting LLC
TPA is affiliated, through common control, with Trivium Point Accounting LLC (“TP
Accounting”), which is owned and operated by George Gerhard and Ronald Pac. TP Accounting
provides accounting, tax planning, business consulting, and business bookkeeping services.
These services provided by TP Accounting are separate and distinct from the advisory services
provided by TPA. The Advisor may recommend that Clients engage TP Accounting for
accounting or tax services. Depending on the terms of the agreement with each Client, the cost
for these services may or may not be included in the Advisor’s fees. These services will be
outsourced, where tax preparation fees will be paid solely by the Advisor. Clients are under no
obligation to utilize the services offered by TP Accounting.
Item 11 – Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
A. Description of Code of Ethics
TPA has a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) which requires TPA’s employees (“Supervised Persons”)
to comply with their legal obligations and fulfill the fiduciary duties owed to the Advisor’s
Clients. Among other things, the Code of Ethics sets forth policies and procedures related to
conflicts of interest, outside business activities, gifts and entertainment, compliance with insider
trading laws and policies and procedures governing personal securities trading by Supervised
Persons.
Personal securities transactions of Supervised Persons present conflicts of interest with the price
obtained in Client securities transactions or the investment opportunity available to Clients. The
Code addresses these conflicts by prohibiting securities trades that would breach a fiduciary duty
to a Client and requiring, with certain exceptions, Supervised Persons to report their personal
securities holdings and transactions to TPA for review by the Advisor’s Chief Compliance Officer.
The Code also requires Supervised Persons to obtain pre-approval of certain investments,
including initial public offerings and limited offerings.
TPA will provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any Client or prospective Client upon request.
Item 12 – Brokerage Practices
A. Factors Used to Select Custodians and/or Broker-Dealers
TPA generally recommends that its investment management Clients utilize the custody and
brokerage services of an unaffiliated broker/dealer Custodian as its broker-dealer/Custodian
(herein collectively the “Custodian”) with which TPA has an institutional relationship. Currently,
this includes Schwab Advisor Services, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”),
which is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer and member of SIPC and a “Qualified Custodian” as
that term is described in Rule 206(4)-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. This also includes
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Pershing Advisor Solutions LLC, a division of Pershing LLC (“Pershing”), which is a FINRA-
registered broker-dealer and member of SIPC and a “Qualified Custodian” as that term is
described in Rule 206(4)-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Each Custodian provides
custody of securities, trade execution, and clearance and settlement of transactions placed in
Client accounts by TPA. If Client accounts are custodied at Schwab, Schwab will hold Client
assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities when TPA instructs them to. While TPA
recommends that Clients use Schwab as Custodian, Clients decide whether to do so and open
accounts with Schwab by entering into an account agreement directly with Schwab. Clients who
choose not to engage the Custodian recommended by TPA will not incur any additional fees or
cost from the Advisor associated with using a Custodian not recommended by TPA. TPA does
not open an account with Schwab for Clients.
In deciding to recommend Schwab, some of the factors that TPA considers include:
• combination of transaction execution services along with asset custody service;
• order execution and the ability to provide accurate and timely execution, clearing
and settlement of trades;
• capabilities to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts;
•
the reasonableness and competitiveness of services, including commission rates
and other fees and transaction costs;
• access to a broad range of investment products, including stocks, bonds, mutual
funds, and exchange-traded funds;
• availability of investment research and tools that assist the Advisor in making
investment decisions;
• quality of services;
• access to trading desks;
•
technology that integrates within TPA’s environment, including interfacing with
TPA’s portfolio management system;
• a dedicated service or back office team and its ability to process requests from
TPA on behalf of its Clients;
• ability to provide TPA with access to Client account information through an
institutional website;
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• ability to provide Clients with electronic access to account information and
investment and research tools; and
reputation, financial strength, and stability.
•
• As an additional benefit, the Custodian provides financial support for the
transition of Client account[s] to Schwab (“Transition Assistance”).
TPA may place portfolio transactions through the Custodian where the Clients’ accounts are
custodied. In exchange for using the services of the Custodian, TPA may receive, without cost,
computer software and related systems support that allows TPA to monitor and service its Clients’
accounts maintained with such Custodian.
Products and Services Available to the Advisor from Schwab. Schwab Advisor Services is
Schwab’s business serving independent investment advisory firms like TPA. Schwab Advisor
Services provide the Advisor’s Clients and the Advisor with access to its institutional brokerage
trading, custody and reporting and related services – many of which are not available typically to
Schwab retail customers. Schwab also makes available to the Advisor various support services,
some of which help the Advisor manage or administer Client accounts while others help the
Advisor manage and grow the business.
Clients benefit from Schwab’s institutional brokerage services, which include access to a broad
range of investment products, execution of securities transactions, and custody of Client assets.
The investment products available through Schwab include some to which the Advisor might not
otherwise have access or that would require a significantly higher minimum investment by
Clients.
Schwab also makes available to the Advisor products and services that benefit the Advisor but
may not directly benefit the Client or the Client’s account. These products and services assist the
Advisor in managing and administering Client accounts. They include investment research, both
Schwab’s own and that of third parties. TPA may use this research to service all or some
substantial number of Client accounts, including accounts not maintained at Schwab. In addition
to investment research, Schwab also makes available software and other technology that:
• provide access to Client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and
account statements);
•
facilitate trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple Client
accounts;
• provide pricing and other market data;
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facilitate payment of our fees from our Clients’ accounts; and
•
• assist with back-office functions, recordkeeping, and Client reporting.
Schwab also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our business
enterprise. These services include:
• educational conferences and events;
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
•
• publications and conferences on practice management and business succession;
and
• access to employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, and insurance
providers.
Schwab may provide some of these services itself. In other cases, it will arrange for third-party
vendors to provide the services to the Advisor. Schwab may also discount or waive its fees for
some of these services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide the
Advisor with other benefits such as occasional business entertainment of Advisor personnel.
Institutional Intelligent Portfolios ® Platform
As part of the continuing engagement with Schwab, the Advisor does not pay fees for to utilize IIP.
In deciding to recommend Pershing, TPA considers the following:
TPA has established an institutional relationship with Pershing to assist the Advisor in managing
Client account[s]. Access to the Pershing platform is provided at no charge to the Advisor. The
Advisor receives access to software and related support without cost because the Advisor renders
investment management services to Clients that maintain assets at Pershing. The software and
related systems support may benefit the Advisor, but not its Clients directly. In fulfilling its
duties to its Clients, the Advisor endeavors at all times to put the interests of its Clients first.
Clients should be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits from Pershing creates a
conflict of interest since these benefits may influence the Advisor's recommendation of Pershing
over one that does not furnish similar software, systems support, or services.
TPA will periodically review its arrangements with the Custodians and other broker-dealers
against other possible arrangements in the marketplace as it strives to achieve best execution on
behalf of its Clients. In seeking best execution, the determinative factor is not the lowest possible
cost, but whether the transaction represents the best qualitative execution, taking into
consideration the full range of a broker-dealer’s services, including, but not limited to, the
following:
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• a broker-dealer’s trading expertise, including its ability to complete trades,
execute and settle difficult trades, obtain liquidity to minimize market impact and
accommodate unusual market conditions, maintain anonymity, and account for its
trade errors and correct them in a satisfactory manner;
• a broker-dealer’s infrastructure, including order-entry systems, adequate lines of
communication, timely order execution reports, an efficient and accurate
clearance and settlement process, and capacity to accommodate unusual trading
volume;
• a broker-dealer’s ability to minimize total trading costs while maintaining its
financial health, such as whether a broker-dealer can maintain and commit
adequate capital when necessary to complete trades, respond during volatile
market periods, and minimize the number of incomplete trades;
• a broker-dealer’s ability to provide research and execution services, including
advice as to the value or advisability of investing in or selling securities, analyses
and reports concerning such matters as companies, industries, economic trends
and political factors, or services incidental to executing securities trades, including
clearance, settlement and custody; and
• a broker-dealer’s ability to provide services to accommodate special transaction
needs, such as the broker-dealer’s ability to execute and account for Client-
directed arrangements and soft dollar arrangements, participate in underwriting
syndicates, and obtain initial public offering shares.
As described above, Schwab and Pershing provide to TPA, without cost, research and trade
execution services. Schwab and Pershing make these services available to similarly situated
investment advisers whose Clients custody their assets with Schwab and Pershing. Access to
research and trade execution services is not predicated on the execution of Client securities
transactions (e.g., not “soft dollars.”) TPA has not entered into any formal “soft dollar”
arrangements with broker-dealers.
TPA’s Clients may utilize Qualified Custodians other than Schwab or Pershing for certain
accounts and assets, particularly where Clients have a previous relationship with such Qualified
Custodians.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
TPA does not receive any compensation from any third party in connection with the
recommendation for establishing an account.
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Client-Directed Brokerage
Generally, in the absence of specific instructions to the contrary, for brokerage accounts that
Clients engage TPA to manage on a discretionary basis, TPA has full discretion with respect to
securities transactions placed in the accounts. This discretion includes the authority, without
prior notice to the Client, to buy and sell securities for the Client’s account and establish and
affect securities transactions through the Custodian of the Client’s account or other broker-
dealers selected by TPA. In selecting a broker-dealer to execute a Client’s securities transactions,
TPA seeks prompt execution of orders at favorable prices.
A Client, however, may instruct TPA to custody his/her account at a specific broker-dealer
and/or direct some or all of his/her brokerage transactions to a specific broker-dealer.
In directing brokerage transactions, a Client should consider whether the commission expenses,
execution, clearance, settlement capabilities, and Custodian fees, if any, are comparable to those
that would result if TPA exercised its discretion in selecting the broker-dealer to execute the
transactions. Directing brokerage to a particular broker-dealer may involve the following
disadvantages to a directed brokerage Client:
• TPA’s ability to negotiate commission rates and other terms on behalf of such
Clients could be impaired;
• such Clients could be denied the benefit of TPA’s experience in selecting broker-
dealers that are able to efficiently execute difficult trades;
• opportunities to obtain lower transaction costs and better prices by aggregating
(batching) the Client’s orders with orders for other Clients could be limited; and
•
the Client could receive less favorable prices on securities transactions because
TPA may place transaction orders for directed brokerage Clients after placing
batched transaction orders for other Clients.
In addition to accounts managed by TPA on a discretionary basis where the Client has directed
the brokerage of his/her account[s], certain institutional accounts may be managed by TPA on a
non-discretionary basis and are held at Custodians selected by the institutional Client. The
decision to use a particular Custodian and/or broker-dealer generally resides with the institutional
Client. TPA endeavors to understand the trading and execution capabilities of any such
Custodian and/or broker-dealer, as well as its costs and fees. TPA may assist the institutional
Client in facilitating trading and other instructions to the Custodian and/or broker-dealer in
carrying out TPA’s investment recommendations.
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Trade Errors
TPA’s goal is to execute trades seamlessly and in the best interests of the Client. In the event a
trade error occurs, TPA endeavors to identify the error in a timely manner, correct the error so
that the Client’s account is in the position it would have been had the error not occurred, and,
after evaluating the error, assess what action[s] might be necessary to prevent a recurrence of
similar errors in the future.
Trade errors generally are corrected through the use of a “trade error” account or similar account
at Schwab, or another broker-dealer, as the case may be. In the event an error is made in a Client
account custodied elsewhere, TPA works directly with the broker in question to take corrective
action. In all cases, TPA will take the appropriate measures to return the Client’s account to its
intended position.
B. Trade Aggregation
Client accounts are managed on an individual basis. TPA therefore generally does not aggregate
Client trades. To the extent that the Advisor determines to aggregate Client orders for the
purchase or sale of securities, including securities in which the Advisor’s Supervised Persons
may invest, the Advisor will generally do so in a fair equitable manner in accordance with
applicable rules promulgated under the Advisers Act and guidance provided by the staff of the
SEC and consistent with policies and procedures established by the Advisor. At no time will
TPA engage in cross or principal transactions.
Item 13 – Review of Accounts
A. Frequency and Nature of Periodic Reviews and Who Makes Those Reviews
TPA monitors investment advisory portfolios as part of a continuous and ongoing process. Client
advisors review the accounts they manage on behalf of Clients at least quarterly. These reviews
may include the following:
• compare the account’s allocation with stated goals;
review holdings and consider alternatives;
•
• monitor the size of individual securities relevant to their sectors, asset classes, and overall
account size;
• analyze an account’s composition and performance, income, appreciation, gains/losses,
and asset allocation; and
• assess its performance.
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Factors that may trigger an additional review, other than a periodic review, include:
extraordinary events (e.g., material market turbulence), economic, political events or major
investment developments. Significant changes in a Client’s financial situation and/or objectives
and large deposits or withdrawals from the accounts may also trigger a review. Clients are
encouraged to notify TPA if changes occur in the Client’s personal financial situation and/or
objectives that might adversely affect the Client’s investment plan.
B. Other Reviews
TPA may perform compliance and/or supervisory reviews of a sampling of Client accounts.
These reviews may include comparing an account’s strategy and/or allocation to the account’s
stated objectives, reviewing commission and transaction costs borne by the account, and
reviewing the billing rate and charges.
C. Content and Frequency of Regular Reports Provided to Clients
Each Client receives or has access to account statements from the Qualified Custodian of his/her
account at least quarterly. In addition, the qualified Custodian sends trade confirmation notices to
Clients. The Client may also establish electronic access to the Custodian’s website so that the
Client may view these reports, and their account activity. Client brokerage statements will
include all positions, transactions, and fees relating to the Client’s account[s].
Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation
A. Economic Benefits Provided by Third Parties for Advice Rendered to Clients
TPA does not receive benefits from third parties, other than what is disclosed in Item 5 and Item
12 above, for providing investment advice to Clients. TPA may be indirectly compensated by an
External Manager as described in Item 5 above and does not receive any other forms of
compensation with such arrangements.
B. Compensation to non-Supervised Persons for Client Referrals
Referral Arrangements with Individuals
Certain Clients may be referred to the Advisor by either an affiliated or unaffiliated party (herein
"Promoter") and receive, directly or indirectly, compensation for the Client referral. In
such instances, the Advisor will compensate the Promoter a fee in accordance with Rule 206(4)-
1 of the Advisers Act and any corresponding state securities requirements. Any such
compensation shall be paid solely from the investment advisory fees earned by the Advisor, and
shall not result in any additional charge to the Client.
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Item 15 – Custody
All Clients must utilize a “Qualified Custodian” as detailed in Item 12. Clients are required to
engage the Custodian to retain their funds and securities and direct TPA to utilize the Custodian
for the Client’s securities transactions. TPA’s agreement with Clients and/or the Clients’ separate
agreement with the Custodian may authorize TPA through such Custodian to debit the Client’s
account for the amount of TPA’s fee and to directly remit that fee to TPA in accordance with
applicable custody rules.
The Custodian recommended by TPA has agreed to send a statement to the Client, at least
quarterly, indicating all amounts disbursed from the account including the amount of
management fees paid directly to TPA. TPA encourages Clients to review the official statements
provided by the Custodian, and to compare such statements with investment reports received
from TPA. For more information about Custodians and brokerage practices, see Item 12 –
Brokerage Practices.
Item 16 – Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing TPA with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
a grant of a limited power of attorney contained in TPA’s Client agreement. By granting TPA
investment discretion, a Client authorizes TPA to direct securities transactions and determine
which securities are bought and sold, the total amount to be bought and sold, and the costs at
which the transactions will be effected. Clients may impose reasonable limitations in the form of
specific constraints on any of these areas of discretion with the consent and written
acknowledgement of TPA. See also Item 4.C., Client-Tailored Advisory Services.
Item 17 – Voting Client Securities
TPA does not accept the authority to and does not vote proxies on behalf of Clients. Clients
retain the responsibility for receiving and voting proxies for all and any securities maintained in
Client portfolios.
Item 18 – Financial Information
A. Balance Sheet
TPA does not require prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per Client, six months or more in
advance, and therefore does not need to include a balance sheet with this Disclosure Brochure.
B. Financial Conditions Reasonably Likely to Impair Ability to Meet Contractual
Commitments to Clients
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Neither TPA nor its management has any financial conditions that are reasonably likely to impair
its ability to meet contractual commitments to Clients.
C. Bankruptcy Petitions in Previous Years
TPA has not been the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
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