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Item 1: Cover Page
Part 2A of Form ADV: Firm Brochure
March 2025
W Advisors LLC
2289 West Street
Germantown, TN 38138
Firm Contact:
Angela Cox
Chief Compliance Officer
Firm Website Address:
www.WAdvisorsLLC.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of W Advisors,
LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us by telephone at
901-410-8040. 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 W Advisors, LLC also is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
by searching CRD #168452.
Please note that the use of the term “registered investment adviser” and description of W Advisors
LLC and/or our associates as “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. You are
encouraged to review this Brochure and Brochure Supplements for our firm’s associates who advise
you for more information on the qualifications of our firm and our employees.
Item 2: Material Changes
W Advisors, LLC is required to advise you of any material changes to the Firm Brochure (“Brochure”)
from our last annual update, identify those changes on the cover page of our Brochure or on the page
immediately following the cover page, or in a separate communication accompanying our Brochure.
Since the last amendment filed on 03/14/2024, our firm has not had any material changes to disclose.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page ....................................................................................................................................... 1
Item 2: Material Changes ............................................................................................................................ 2
Item 3: Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 3
Item 4: Advisory Business .......................................................................................................................... 4
Item 5: Fees & Compensation ..................................................................................................................... 7
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management .............................................................. 8
Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements ................................................................................... 9
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss ........................................................ 9
Item 9: Disciplinary Information .............................................................................................................. 11
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations .................................................................... 11
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading ........... 11
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ................................................................................................................... 12
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans ..................................................................................... 16
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation ................................................................................... 17
Item 15: Custody ....................................................................................................................................... 19
Item 16: Investment Discretion ............................................................................................................... 20
Item 17: Voting Client Securities .............................................................................................................. 20
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................................................ 20
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Item 4: Advisory Business
We specialize in the following types of services: Comprehensive Portfolio Management, Financial
Planning & Consulting and Separately Managed Accounts. As of December 31, 2024, our assets under
management are $209,523,186.
We are dedicated to providing individuals and other types of clients with a wide array of investment
advisory services. Our firm is a limited liability company formed in the State of Delaware. Our firm
has been in business as an investment adviser since 2013 and is wholly owned by Robert Wade.
The purpose of this Brochure is to disclose the conflicts of interest associated with the investment
transactions, compensation and any other matters related to investment decisions made by our firm
or its representatives. As a fiduciary, it is our duty to always act in the client’s best interest. This is
accomplished in part by knowing our client. Our firm has established a service-oriented advisory
practice with open lines of communication for many different types of clients to help meet their
financial goals while remaining sensitive to risk tolerance and time horizons. Working with clients to
understand their investment objectives while educating them about our process, facilitates the kind
of working relationship we value.
Types of Advisory Services Offered
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
Our Comprehensive Portfolio Management service encompasses asset management as well as
providing financial planning/financial consulting to clients. It is designed to assist clients in meeting
their financial goals through the use of financial investments. We conduct at least one, but sometimes
more than one meeting (in person if possible, otherwise via telephone conference) with clients in
order to understand their current financial situation, existing resources, financial goals, and
tolerance for risk. Based on what we learn, we propose an investment approach to the client. We may
propose an investment portfolio, consisting of exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds,
individual stocks or bonds, or other securities. Upon the client’s agreement to the proposed
investment plan, we work with the client to establish or transfer investment accounts so that we can
manage the client’s portfolio. Once the relevant accounts are under our management, we review such
accounts on a regular basis and at least quarterly. We may periodically rebalance or adjust client
accounts under our management. If the client experiences any significant changes to his/her financial
or personal circumstances, the client must notify us so that we can consider such information in
managing the client’s investments.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
We provide a variety of financial planning and consulting services to individuals, families and other
clients regarding the management of their financial resources based upon an analysis of the client’s
current situation, goals, and objectives. Generally, such financial planning services will involve
preparing a financial plan or rendering a financial consultation for clients based on the client’s
financial goals and objectives. This planning or consulting may encompass one or more of the
following areas: Investment Planning, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, Charitable Planning,
Education Planning, Corporate and Personal Tax Planning, Cost Segregation Study, Corporate
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Structure, Real Estate Analysis, Mortgage/Debt Analysis, Insurance Analysis, Lines of Credit
Evaluation, Business and Personal Financial Planning.
Our written financial plans or financial consultations rendered to clients usually include general
recommendations for a course of activity or specific actions to be taken by the clients. For example,
recommendations may be made that the clients begin or revise investment programs, create or revise
wills or trusts, obtain or revise insurance coverage, commence or alter retirement savings, or
establish education or charitable giving programs. It should also be noted that we refer clients to an
accountant, attorney or other specialist, as necessary for non-advisory related services. For written
financial planning engagements, we provide our clients with a written summary of their financial
situation, observations, and recommendations. For financial consulting engagements, we usually do
not provide our clients with a written summary of our observations and recommendations as the
process is less formal than our planning service. Plans or consultations are typically completed within
six (6) months of the client signing a contract with us, assuming that all the information and
documents we request from the client are provided to us promptly. Implementation of the
recommendations will be at the discretion of the client.
Separately Managed Accounts (“SMA”):
We participate in the Schwab Managed Account Program and offer separately managed accounts from
the Managed Account Select and Managed Account Access programs. These Schwab programs allow
access to independent money management firms offered by the Schwab Advisor Services division of
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (“Schwab”). Our firm performs management searches of various investment
managers. Based on the client's individual circumstances and we determine which selected manager's
portfolio management style is appropriate for that client. Factors considered in making this
determination include account size, risk tolerance, the objectives of each client and the investment
philosophy of the selected manager. Clients should refer to the manager's Firm Brochure or other
disclosure document for a full description of the services offered. We will furnish a copy of the disclosure
brochures for each manager selected. We will recommend one or more managers who will manage the
client's account on a discretionary basis. On an ongoing basis, we monitor the performance of the
manager(s). Our firm may also refer clients out the Schwab Managed Account Marketplace.
Managed Account Select (“Select”)
Under this program, the Schwab Center for Financial Research provides institutional investment
research with insights and decision making tools to help serve clients’ needs. Clients are provided
a choice of prescreened money managers across various investment styles. The program then
bundles the research, Schwab’s brokerage, custodial and client reporting under a single, all-
inclusive fee, which is in addition to the fee charged by our firm.
Access to managers in this program is offered at the following account levels: $100,000 for
Stock/Equity Managers. Some money managers may have a higher account minimum.
The Schwab Managed Account Select program fees include the institutional money manager fee,
Schwab’s program fee and fees for brokerage/clearing/custodial services. Fees may include a
minimum monthly fee, please see related program documents for a complete description of
specific fees.
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Managed Account Access (“Access”)
Managed Account Access allows clients to work with an array of money managers and conduct
their own research within a bundled fee program. Schwab’s fees are charged in addition to fees
charged by our firm. Access provides money manager services and Schwab’s brokerage and
custody services for a simple, asset-based fee and with streamlined paperwork. Features
include single contract structure, low account minimums, bundled fees, manager and strategy
flexibility and variety, performance reporting and managed account tools and resource.
Access to managers in this program is offered at the following account levels: $100,000 for
Stock/Equity Managers . Some money managers may have a higher account minimum.
Managed Account Marketplace (“Marketplace”)
We participate in the Schwab Connection Marketplace program for certain larger clients. The
services provided are “unbundled,” meaning fees for asset management and fees for trading are
charged separately, in addition to the fees charged by our firm. The fees for asset management
with the money management firm are negotiated with the individual manager by our firm on
behalf of the Client and are based on the total assets with that manager included in the program
and the type of management services (equity or fixed income) provided.
Execution of security transactions may be paid in one of two ways: (1) A percentage of assets
based on pricing schedules set by Schwab that are determined by trade volume for an individual
money manager; or (2) On a transaction basis, where each transaction is charged a commission
as negotiated with Schwab
It may be possible for a client to use Marketplace and receive the same research services and
benefits (subject to internal restrictions identified earlier) for a lower fee than available under
the Select program. The bundled fees charged for the Select program may be higher than the
“unbundled fees” charged under Marketplace because of the initial and ongoing due diligence
provided by the Schwab Center for Financial Research and pricing set by the money management
firms for each program.
Tailoring of Advisory Services
We offer individualized investment advice to clients utilizing our Comprehensive Portfolio
Management service. Additionally, we offer general investment advice to clients utilizing our
Financial Planning & Consulting, and SMA services.
Each client has the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held
in the portfolio. Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may not be
possible due to the level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account. Restrictions would
be limited to our Comprehensive Portfolio Management. We do not manage assets through our other
services.
Participation in Wrap Fee Programs
We do not offer wrap fee programs.
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Regulatory Assets Under Management
We manage $129,408,223 on a discretionary basis and $80,114,963 on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 5: Fees & Compensation
Compensation for Our Advisory Services
Comprehensive Portfolio Management:
Comprehensive portfolio management fees are charged based on a percentage of client assets under
management. Our firm’s maximum annual management fee is 1.25%. Management fees are
negotiable and will be detailed in our Comprehensive Portfolio Management Agreement. Fees are
billed on a pro-rata annualized basis quarterly in advance based on the value of your account on the
last day of the previous quarter. Unless otherwise noted in writing, our firm bills on cash.
Fees will generally be automatically deducted from your managed account. Adjustments will be
made for deposits and withdrawals during the quarter. In rare cases, we will agree to direct bill
clients. As part of this process, you understand and acknowledge the following:
a) The client’s independent custodian sends statements at least quarterly showing the market
values for each security included in the Assets and all account disbursements, including the
amount of the advisory fees paid to our firm;
b) Clients will provide authorization permitting our firm to be directly paid by these terms. Our
firm will send an invoice directly to the custodian; and
c) If our firm sends a copy of our invoice to the client, legend urging the comparison of
information provided in our statement with those from the qualified custodian will be
included.
Financial Planning & Consulting:
We charge on an hourly or flat fee basis for financial planning and consulting services. The total
estimated fee, as well as the ultimate fee that we charge you, is based on the scope and complexity of
our engagement with you. Our hourly fee is $350. Flat fees generally range from $1,500 to $10,000.
Our fees are negotiable.
We require a retainer of fifty-percent (50%) of the ultimate financial planning or consulting fee with
the remainder of the fee directly billed to you and due to us within thirty (30) days of your financial
plan being delivered or consultation rendered to you. In all cases, we will not require a retainer
exceeding $1,200 when services cannot be rendered within 6 (six) months.
Separately Managed Accounts:
We shall charge an annual fee of 1.00% of client’s assets under management, while Schwab charges
a separate and additional annual fee of 0.50% for client’s assets under management. Our asset
management fee is charged pro-rata quarterly in advance based on the value of your account on the
last day of the previous quarter.
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To calculate your SMA program fee, Schwab multiplies the actual daily balance of your account by
the daily pro rata portion of the annual rate and then adds together the fees for each day of the month.
The program fee is billed to your account monthly, which may result in your paying a higher fee on
an annual basis than the annual rate due to the effects of compounding.
Other Types of Fees & Expenses
Clients will incur transaction charges for trades executed in their accounts. These transaction fees
are separate from our fees and will be disclosed by the firm that the trades are executed through.
Schwab does not charge transaction fees for U.S. listed equities and exchange traded funds. Also,
clients may also pay holdings charges imposed by the chosen custodian for certain investments,
charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund, which shall be
disclosed in the fund’s prospectus (e.g., fund management fees, distribution fees, surrender charges,
variable annuity fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, mark-ups and mark-downs, spreads
paid to market makers, fees for trades executed away from custodian, wire transfer fees and other
fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions). Our firm does not receive a
portion of these fees.
Termination & Refunds
We charge our advisory fees quarterly in advance. In the event that you wish to terminate our
services, we will refund the unearned portion of our advisory fee to you. You need to contact us in
writing and state that you wish to terminate our services. Upon receipt of your letter of termination,
we will proceed to close out your account and process a pro-rata refund of unearned advisory fees.
Commissionable Securities Sales
In order to sell securities for a commission, our supervised persons are registered representatives of
Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Inc. (“PKS”), a registered broker-dealer and Member
FINRA/SIPC. Our supervised persons may accept compensation for the sale of securities or other
investment products, including distribution or service (“trail”) fees from the sale of mutual funds.
You should be aware that the practice of accepting commissions for the sale of securities:
1)
Presents a conflict of interest and gives our firm and/or our supervised persons an
incentive to recommend investment products based on the compensation received, rather
than on your needs. We generally address commissionable sales conflicts that arise:
a) when explaining to clients that commissionable securities sales creates an incentive to
recommend products based on the compensation we and/or our supervised persons
may earn and may not necessarily be in the best interests of the client;
b) when recommending commissionable mutual funds, explaining that “no-load” funds
are also available.
2) In no way prohibits you from purchasing investment products recommended by us through
other brokers or agents which are not affiliated with us.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees & Side-By-Side Management
We do not accept performance-based fees.
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Item 7: Types of Clients & Account Requirements
We have the following types of clients:
Individuals and High Net Worth Individuals;
Trusts and Estates Limited Liability Companies and/or Other Business Types.
We do not have requirements for opening and maintaining accounts or otherwise engaging us.
Access to certain account types within the Schwab Managed Account Programs offered at the
following account levels: $100,000 for Stock/Equity Managers. Some money managers may have
a higher account minimum.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Charting: In this type of technical analysis, our firm reviews charts of market and security activity in
an attempt to identify when the market is moving up or down and to predict when how long the trend
may last and when that trend might reverse.
Cyclical Analysis: Statistical analysis of specific events occurring at a sufficient number of relatively
predictable intervals that they can be forecasted into the future. Cyclical analysis asserts that cyclical
forces drive price movements in the financial markets. Risks include that cycles may invert or
disappear and there is no expectation that this type of analysis will pinpoint turning points, instead
be used in conjunction with other methods of analysis.
Fundamental Analysis: The analysis of a business's financial statements (usually to analyze the
business's assets, liabilities, and earnings), health, and its competitors and markets. When analyzing
a stock, futures contract, or currency using fundamental analysis there are two basic approaches one
can use: bottom up analysis and top down analysis. The terms are used to distinguish such analysis
from other types of investment analysis, such as quantitative and technical. Fundamental analysis is
performed on historical and present data, but with the goal of making financial forecasts. There are
several possible objectives: (a) to conduct a company stock valuation and predict its probable price
evolution; (b) to make a projection on its business performance; (c) to evaluate its management and
make internal business decisions; (d) and/or to calculate its credit risk.; and (e) to find out the
intrinsic value of the share.
When the objective of the analysis is to determine what stock to buy and at what price, there are two
basic methodologies investors rely upon: (a) Fundamental analysis maintains that markets may
misprice a security in the short run but that the "correct" price will eventually be reached. Profits can
be made by purchasing the mispriced security and then waiting for the market to recognize its
"mistake" and reprice the security.; and (b) Technical analysis maintains that all information is
reflected already in the price of a security. Technical analysts analyze trends and believe that
sentiment changes predate and predict trend changes. Investors' emotional responses to price
movements lead to recognizable price chart patterns. Technical analysts also analyze historical
trends to predict future price movement. Investors can use one or both of these different but
complementary methods for stock picking. This presents a potential risk, as the price of a security
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can move up or down along with the overall market regardless of the economic and financial factors
considered in evaluating the stock.
Technical Analysis: A security analysis methodology for forecasting the direction of prices through
the study of past market data, primarily price and volume. A fundamental principle of technical
analysis is that a market's price reflects all relevant information, so their analysis looks at the history
of a security's trading pattern rather than external drivers such as economic, fundamental and news
events. Therefore, price action tends to repeat itself due to investors collectively tending toward
patterned behavior – hence technical analysis focuses on identifiable trends and conditions.
Technical analysts also widely use market indicators of many sorts, some of which are mathematical
transformations of price, often including up and down volume, advance/decline data and other
inputs. These indicators are used to help assess whether an asset is trending, and if it is, the
probability of its direction and of continuation. Technicians also look for relationships between
price/volume indices and market indicators. Technical analysis employs models and trading rules
based on price and volume transformations, such as the relative strength index, moving averages,
regressions, inter-market and intra-market price correlations, business cycles, stock market cycles
or, classically, through recognition of chart patterns. Technical analysis is widely used among traders
and financial professionals and is very often used by active day traders, market makers and pit
traders. The risk associated with this type of analysis is that analysts use subjective judgment to
decide which pattern(s) a particular instrument reflects at a given time and what the interpretation
of that pattern should be.
Investment Strategies We Use
Long-Term Purchases: Our firm may buy securities for your account and hold them for a relatively
long time (more than a year) in anticipation that the security’s value will appreciate over a long
horizon. The risk of this strategy is that our firm could miss out on potential short-term gains that
could have been profitable to your account, or it’s possible that the security’s value may decline
sharply before our firm makes a decision to sell.
Short-Term Purchases: When utilizing this strategy, our firm may also purchase securities with the
idea of selling them within a relatively short time (typically a year or less). Our firm does this in an
attempt to take advantage of conditions that our firm believes will soon result in a price swing in the
securities our firm purchase.
Trading: Our firm purchase securities with the idea of selling them very quickly (typically within 30
days or less). Our firm do this in an attempt to take advantage of our predictions of brief price swings.
Trading involves risk that may not be suitable for every investor and may involve a high volume of
trading activity. Each trade generates a commission and the total daily commission on such a high
volume of trading can be considerable. Active trading accounts should be considered speculative in
nature with the objective being to generate short-term profits. This activity may result in the loss of
more than 100% of an investment.
Margin Loans: Our firm may allow or recommend that you to pledge securities from your portfolio
as collateral for a loan by using margin in brokerage account. This allows you to own more stock than
you would be able to with your available cash. Margin accounts and transactions are risky and not
necessarily appropriate for every client.
The potential risks associated with these transactions are (1) You can lose more funds than are
deposited into the margin account; (2) the forced sale of securities or other assets in your account;
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(3) the sale of securities or other assets without contacting you; (4) you may not be entitled to choose
which securities or other assets in your account(s) are liquidated or sold to meet a margin call; and
(5) custodians charge interest on margin balances which will reduce your returns over time.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the stock
market may increase, and the account(s) could enjoy a gain, it is also possible that the stock market
may decrease, and the account(s) could suffer a loss. It is important that clients understand the risks
associated with investing in the stock market, and that their assets are appropriately diversified in
investments. Clients are encouraged to ask our firm any questions regarding their risk tolerance.
Description of Material, Significant or Unusual Risks
Our firm generally invests client cash balances in money market funds, FDIC Insured Certificates of
Deposit, high-grade commercial paper and/or government backed debt instruments. Ultimately, our
firm tries to achieve the highest return on client cash balances through relatively low-risk
conservative investments. In most cases, at least a partial cash balance will be maintained in a money
market account so that our firm may debit advisory fees for our services related to our
Comprehensive Portfolio Management and Separately Managed Accounts services, as applicable.
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
There are no legal or disciplinary events that are material to a client’s or prospective client’s
evaluation of our advisory business or the integrity of our management.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities & Affiliations
Representatives of our firm are registered representatives of PKS, member FINRA/SIPC. They may
offer securities and receive normal and customary commissions as a result of securities transactions.
A conflict of interest may arise as these commissionable securities sales may create an incentive to
recommend products based on the compensation they may earn and may not necessarily be in the
best interests of the client.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest
in Client Transactions & Personal Trading
We recognize that the personal investment transactions of members and employees of our firm demand
the application of a high Code of Ethics and require that all such transactions be carried out in a way that
does not endanger the interest of any client. At the same time, we believe that if investment goals are
similar for clients and for members and employees of our firm, it is logical and even desirable that there
be common ownership of some securities.
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Therefore, in order to prevent conflicts of interest, we have in place a set of procedures (including a pre-
clearing procedure) with respect to transactions effected by our members, officers and employees for
their personal accounts1. In order to monitor compliance with our personal trading policy, we have a
quarterly securities transaction reporting system for all of our associates.
Furthermore, our firm has established a Code of Ethics which applies to all of our associated persons. An
investment adviser is considered a fiduciary. As a fiduciary, it is an investment adviser’s responsibility
to provide fair and full disclosure of all material facts and to act solely in the best interest of each of our
clients at all times. We have a fiduciary duty to all clients. Our fiduciary duty is considered the core
underlying principle for our Code of Ethics which also includes Insider Trading and Personal Securities
Transactions Policies and Procedures. We require all of our supervised persons to conduct business with
the highest level of ethical standards and to comply with all federal and state securities laws at all times.
Upon employment or affiliation and at least annually thereafter, all supervised persons will sign an
acknowledgement that they have read, understand, and agree to comply with our Code of Ethics. Our
firm and supervised persons must conduct business in an honest, ethical, and fair manner and avoid all
circumstances that might negatively affect or appear to affect our duty of complete loyalty to all clients.
This disclosure is provided to give all clients a summary of our Code of Ethics. However, if a client or a
potential client wishes to review our Code of Ethics in its entirety, a copy will be provided promptly upon
request.
Neither our firm nor a related person recommends to clients, or buys or sells for client accounts,
securities in which our firm or a related person has a material financial interest.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities and other investments that are also
recommended to clients. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related persons will place
client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a copy of which
is available upon request.
Related persons of our firm may buy or sell securities for themselves at or about the same time they buy
or sell the same securities for client accounts. In order to minimize this conflict of interest, our related
persons will place client interests ahead of their own interests and adhere to our firm’s Code of Ethics, a
copy of which is available upon request. Further, our related persons will refrain from buying or selling
the same securities within 24 hours prior to buying or selling for our clients. If related persons’ accounts
are included in a block trade, our related persons will always trade personal accounts last.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Selecting a Brokerage Firm
Our firm does not maintain custody of client assets (although our firm may be deemed to have
custody of client assets if give the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts. See Item 15
Custody, below). Client assets must be maintained in an account at a “qualified custodian,” generally
a broker-dealer or bank. Our firm recommends that clients use the Schwab Advisor Services division
of Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (“Schwab”), a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, member SIPC, as the
1 For purposes of the policy, our associate’s personal account generally includes any account (a) in the name of our associate, his/her spouse,
his/her minor children or other dependents residing in the same household, (b) for which our associate is a trustee or executor, or (c) which our
associate controls, including our client accounts which our associate controls and/or a member of his/her household has a direct or indirect
beneficial interest in.
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qualified custodian. Our firm is independently owned and operated, and not affiliated with Schwab.
Schwab will hold client assets in a brokerage account and buy and sell securities when instructed.
While our firm recommends that clients use Schwab as custodian/broker, clients will decide whether
to do so and open an account with Schwab by entering into an account agreement directly with them.
Our firm does not open the account. Even though the account is maintained at Schwab, our firm can
still use other brokers to execute trades, as described in the next paragraph.
How Brokers/Custodians Are Selected
Our firm seeks to recommend a custodian/broker who will hold client assets and execute
transactions on terms that are overall most advantageous when compared to other available
providers and their services. A wide range of factors are considered, including, but not limited to:
combination of transaction execution services along with asset custody services (generally
without a separate fee for custody)
capability to execute, clear and settle trades (buy and sell securities for client accounts)
capabilities to facilitate transfers and payments to and from accounts (wire transfers, check
requests, bill payment, etc.)
breadth of investment products made available (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange
traded funds (ETFs), etc.)
availability of investment research and tools that assist in making investment decisions
quality of services
competitiveness of the price of those services (commission rates, margin interest rates, other
fees, etc.) and willingness to negotiate them
reputation, financial strength and stability of the provider
prior service to our firm and our other clients
availability of other products and services that benefit our firm, as discussed below (see
“Products & Services Available from Schwab”)
Custody & Brokerage Costs
Schwab generally does not charge a separate for custody services, but is compensated by charging
commissions or other fees to clients on trades that are executed or that settle into the Schwab
account. In addition to commissions, Schwab charges a flat dollar amount as a “prime broker” or
“trade away” fee for each trade that our firm has executed by a different broker-dealer but where the
securities bought or the funds from the securities sold are deposited (settled) into a Schwab account.
These fees are in addition to the commissions or other compensation paid to the executing broker-
dealer. Because of this, in order to minimize client trading costs, our firm has Schwab execute most
trades for the accounts.
Products & Services Available from Schwab
Schwab Advisor Services is Schwab’s business serving independent investment advisory firms like
our firm. They provide our firm and clients with access to its institutional brokerage – trading,
custody, reporting and related services – many of which are not typically available to Schwab retail
customers. Schwab also makes available various support services. Some of those services help
manage or administer our client accounts while others help manage and grow our business. Schwab’s
support services are generally available on an unsolicited basis (our firm does not have to request
them) and at no charge to our firm. The availability of Schwab’s products and services is not based
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on the provision of particular investment advice, such as purchasing particular securities for clients.
Here is a more detailed description of Schwab’s support services:
Services that Benefit Clients
Schwab’s institutional brokerage services include access to a broad range of investment products,
execution of securities transactions, and custody of client assets. The investment products available
through Schwab include some to which our firm might not otherwise have access or that would
require a significantly higher minimum initial investment by firm clients. Schwab’s services
described in this paragraph generally benefit clients and their accounts.
Services that May Not Directly Benefit Clients
Schwab also makes available other products and services that benefit our firm but may not directly
benefit clients or their accounts. These products and services assist in managing and administering
our client accounts. They include investment research, both Schwab’s and that of third parties. This
research may be used 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:
provides access to client account data (such as duplicate trade confirmations and account
statements);
facilitates trade execution and allocate aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts;
facilitates payment of our fees from our clients’ accounts; and
provides pricing and other market data;
assists with back-office functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Services that Generally Benefit Only Our Firm
Schwab also offers other services intended to help manage and further develop our business
enterprise. These services include:
technology, compliance, legal, and business consulting;
educational conferences and events
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, Schwab will arrange for third-party
vendors to provide the services to our firm. Schwab may also discount or waive fees for some of these
services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees. Schwab may also provide our firm with other
benefits, such as occasional business entertainment for our personnel.
Irrespective of direct or indirect benefits to our client through Schwab, our firm strives to enhance
the client experience, help clients reach their goals and put client interests before that of our firm or
associated persons.
Our Interest in Schwab’s Services.
The availability of these services from Schwab benefits our firm because our firm does not have to
produce or purchase them. Our firm does not have to pay for these services, and they are not
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contingent upon committing any specific amount of business to Schwab in trading commissions or
assets in custody.
In light of our arrangements with Schwab, a conflict of interest exists as our firm may have incentive
to require that clients maintain their accounts with Schwab based on our interest in receiving
Schwab’s services that benefit our firm rather than based on client interest in receiving the best value
in custody services and the most favorable execution of transactions. As part of our fiduciary duty to
our clients, our firm will endeavor at all times to put the interests of our clients first. Clients should
be aware, however, that the receipt of economic benefits by our firm or our related persons creates
a potential conflict of interest and may indirectly influence our firm’s choice of Schwab as a custodial
recommendation. Our firm examined this potential conflict of interest when our firm chose to
recommend Schwab and have determined that the recommendation is in the best interest of our firm’s
clients and satisfies our fiduciary obligations, including our duty to seek best execution.
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 the value of research provided, execution capability, commission
rates, and responsiveness. Although our firm will seek competitive rates, to the benefit of all clients,
our firm may not necessarily obtain the lowest possible commission rates for specific client account
transactions. Our firm believes that the selection of Schwab as a custodian and broker is the best
interest of our clients. It is primarily supported by the scope, quality and price of Schwab’s services,
and not Schwab’s services that only benefit our firm.
Soft Dollars
Although the non-soft dollar investment research products and services that may be obtained by our
firm will generally be used to service all of our clients, a brokerage commission paid by a specific
client may be used to pay for research that is not used in managing that specific client’s account.
Our firm does not accept products or services that do not qualify for Safe Harbor outlined in Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as those services that do not aid in investment
decision-making or trade execution.
Client Brokerage Commissions
We do not use client brokerage commissions to obtain research or other products or services. The
aforementioned research and brokerage services are used by our firm to manage accounts for which
we have investment discretion. Without this arrangement, our firm might be compelled to purchase
the same or similar services at our own expense.
Procedures to Direct Client Transactions in Return for Soft Dollars
We do not direct client transactions to a particular broker-dealer in return for soft dollar benefits.
Brokerage for Client Referrals
Our firm does not receive brokerage for client referrals.
Directed Brokerage
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Neither we nor any of our firm’s related persons have discretionary authority in making the
determination of the brokers with whom orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed for
execution, and the commission rates at which such securities transactions are effected. We routinely
recommend that a client directs us to execute through a specified broker-dealer. Our firm
recommends the use of Schwab. Each client will be required to establish their account(s) with Schwab,
if not already done. Please note that not all advisers have this requirement.
Permissibility of Client-Directed Brokerage
We allow clients to direct brokerage outside our recommendation. However, we may be unable to
achieve the most favorable execution of client transactions. Client directed brokerage may cost
clients more money. For example, in a directed brokerage account, you may pay higher brokerage
commissions because we may not be able to aggregate orders to reduce transaction costs, or you may
receive less favorable prices.
Special Considerations for ERISA Clients
A retirement or ERISA plan client may direct all or part of portfolio transactions for its account
through a specific broker or dealer in order to obtain goods or services on behalf of the plan. Such
direction is permitted provided that the goods and services provided are reasonable expenses of the
plan incurred in the ordinary course of its business for which it otherwise would be obligated and
empowered to pay. ERISA prohibits directed brokerage arrangements when the goods or services
purchased are not for the exclusive benefit of the plan. Consequently, we will request that plan
sponsors who direct plan brokerage provide us with a letter documenting that this arrangement will
be for the exclusive benefit of the plan.
Aggregation of Purchase or Sale
We perform investment management services for various clients. There are occasions on which
portfolio transactions may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for numerous accounts served by our firm, which involve accounts with similar investment
objectives. Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either advantageous or
disadvantageous to any one or more particular accounts, they are affected only when we believe that to
do so will be in the best interest of the effected accounts. When such concurrent authorizations occur,
the objective is to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts
involved. In any given situation, we attempt to allocate trade executions in the most equitable manner
possible, taking into consideration client objectives, current asset allocation and availability of funds
using price averaging, proration and consistently non-arbitrary methods of allocation.
Item 13: Review of Accounts or Financial Plans
We review accounts on at least a quarterly basis for our clients subscribing to our Comprehensive
Portfolio Management and SMA services. The nature of these reviews is to learn whether clients’
accounts are in line with their investment objectives, appropriately positioned based on market
conditions, and investment policies, if applicable. Only our Financial Advisors or Portfolio Managers
will conduct reviews.
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Pension Consulting clients receive reviews of their pension plans for the duration of the pension
consulting service. We also provide ongoing services to Pension Consulting clients where we meet
with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to their plans, changes in their circumstances,
etc.
Financial Planning clients do not receive reviews of their written plans unless they take action to
schedule a financial consultation with us. We do not provide ongoing services to financial planning
clients, but are willing to meet with such clients upon their request to discuss updates to their plans,
changes in their circumstances, etc.
We may review client accounts more frequently than described above. Among the factors which may
trigger an off-cycle review are major market or economic events, the client’s life events, requests by
the client, etc.
We do not provide written reports to clients, unless asked to do so. Verbal reports to clients take
place on at least an annual basis when we contact clients who subscribe to our Comprehensive
Portfolio Management and SMA services.
As mentioned in Item 13A of this Brochure, Pension Consulting clients do not receive written or
verbal updated reports regarding their pension plans unless they choose to contract with us for
ongoing Pension Consulting services.
As also mentioned in Item 13A of this Brochure, Financial Planning clients do not receive written or
verbal updated reports regarding their financial plans unless they separately contract with us for a
post-financial plan meeting or update to their initial written financial plan.
Item 14: Client Referrals & Other Compensation
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Our firm may recommend that clients establish brokerage accounts with Schwab Institutional
division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), registered broker-dealers, Members SIPC, to
maintain custody of Clients’ assets and to effect trades for their accounts. Our firm is independently
owned and operated and not affiliated with Schwab. Our firm may also recommend that Clients
establish accounts with firms other than Schwab.
Our firm places trades for its Clients' accounts subject to its duty to seek best execution and its other
fiduciary duties. Our firm may use broker-dealers other than Schwab to execute trades for client
accounts maintained at Schwab, but this practice may result in additional costs to clients so that we
are more likely to place trades through Schwab rather than other broker-dealers. Schwab's execution
quality may be different than other broker-dealers.
For our client accounts maintained in its custody, Schwab generally does not charge separately for
custody services but is compensated by account holders through commissions or other transaction-
related or asset-based fees for securities trades that are executed through Schwab or that settle into
Schwab accounts.
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Some of the products, services and other benefits provided by Schwab benefit us and may not benefit
our firm's client accounts. Our recommendation/requirement that a client place assets in Schwab's
custody may be based in part on benefits Schwab provides to us, and not solely on the nature, cost or
quality of custody and execution services provided by Schwab.
Schwab also makes available to our firm other products and services that benefit us but may not
benefit clients’ accounts. These benefits may include national, regional or specific to our firm,
educational events organized and/or sponsored by Schwab Institutional. Other potential benefits
may include occasional business entertainment of personnel of our firm by Schwab Institutional
personnel, including meals, invitations to sporting events, including golf tournaments, and other
forms of entertainment, some of which may accompany educational opportunities. Other of these
products and services assist us in managing and administering clients’ accounts. These include
software and other technology (and related technological training) that provide access to client
account data (such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade execution (and
allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client accounts), provide research, pricing
information and other market data, facilitate payment of our fees from its clients’ accounts, and assist
with back-office training and support functions, recordkeeping and client reporting. Many of these
services generally may be used to service all or some substantial number of our firm’s accounts,
including accounts not maintained at Schwab Institutional. Schwab Institutional also makes available
to us other services intended to help our firm manage and further develop its business enterprise.
These services may include professional compliance, legal and business consulting, publications and
conferences on practice management, information technology, business succession, regulatory
compliance, employee benefits providers, human capital consultants, insurance and marketing. In
addition, Schwab may make available, arrange and/or pay vendors for these types of services
rendered to our firm by independent third parties. Schwab Institutional may discount or waive fees
it would otherwise charge for some of these services or pay all or a part of the fees of a third-party
providing these services to us. While, as a fiduciary, our firm endeavors to act in its clients’ best
interests, our recommendation/requirement that clients maintain their assets in accounts at Schwab
may be based in part on the benefit to our firm of the availability of some of the foregoing products
and services and other arrangements and not solely on the nature, cost or quality of custody and
brokerage services provided by Schwab, which may create a potential conflict of interest.
But for soft dollar arrangements, we would have to obtain the aforementioned services and products
for cash. As a result of receiving such products and services for no cost, we may have an incentive to
continue to place Client trades through broker-dealers that offer soft dollar arrangements. This
interest conflicts with the Clients' interest of obtaining the lowest commission rate available.
Therefore, our firm must determine in good faith, based on the “best execution” policy stated above
that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided by such
executing broker-dealers.
From time-to-time our firm may make an error in submitting a trade order on a client’s behalf. When
this occurs, we may place a correcting trade with the broker-dealer which has custody of the client’s
account. If an investment gain results from the correcting trade, the gain will remain in the client’s
account unless the same error involved other client account(s) that should have received the gain, it
is not permissible for the client to retain the gain, or our firm confers with the client and the client
decides to forego the gain (e.g., due to tax reasons). If the gain does not remain in the client’s account
and Schwab is the custodian, Schwab will donate the amount of any gain $100 and over to charity. If
a loss occurs greater than $100, we will pay for the loss. Schwab will maintain the loss or gain (if such
gain is not retained in the client’s account) if it is under $100 to minimize and offset its administrative
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time and expense. Generally, if related trade errors result in both gains and losses in the client’s
account, they may be netted.
Referral Fees
In accordance with Rule 206 (4)-1 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, our firm does not provide
cash or non-cash compensation directly or indirectly to unaffiliated persons for testimonials or
endorsements (which include client referrals).
Item 15: Custody
While our firm does not maintain physical custody of client assets (which are maintained by a
qualified custodian, as discussed above), we are deemed to have custody of certain client assets if
given the authority to withdraw assets from client accounts, as further described below under
“Standing Instructions.” All our clients receive account statements directly from their qualified
custodian(s) at least quarterly upon opening of an account. We urge our clients to carefully review
these statements. Additionally, if our firm decides to send its own account statements to clients, such
statements will include a legend that recommends the client compare the account statements
received from the qualified custodian with those received from our firm. Clients are encouraged to
raise any questions with us about the custody, safety or security of their assets and our custodial
recommendations.
The SEC issued a no-action letter (“Letter”) with respect to the Rule 206(4)-2 (“Custody Rule”) under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”). The letter provided guidance on the Custody
Rule as well as clarified that an adviser who has the power to disburse client funds to a third party
under a standing letter of instruction (“SLOA”) is deemed to have custody. As such, our firm has
adopted the following safeguards in conjunction with the account custodian:
The client provides an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes the
client’s signature, the third party’s name, and either the third party’s address or the third
party’s account number at a custodian to which the transfer should be directed.
The client authorizes the investment adviser, in writing, either on the qualified custodian’s
form or separately, to direct transfers to the third party either on a specified schedule or from
time to time.
The client’s qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as
a signature review or other method to verify the client’s authorization and provides a transfer
of funds notice to the client promptly after each transfer.
The client has the ability to terminate or change the instruction to the client’s qualified
custodian.
The investment adviser has no authority or ability to designate or change the identity of the
third party, the address, or any other information about the third party contained in the
client’s instruction.
The investment adviser maintains records showing that the third party is not a related party
of the investment adviser or located at the same address as the investment adviser.
The client’s qualified custodian sends the client, in writing, an initial notice confirming the
instruction and an annual notice reconfirming the instruction.
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Item 16: Investment Discretion
Clients have the option of providing our firm with investment discretion on their behalf, pursuant to
an executed investment advisory client agreement. By granting investment discretion, we are
authorized to execute securities transactions, which securities are bought and sold, the total amount
to be bought and sold, and the costs at which the transactions will be effected. Limitations may be
imposed by the client in the form of specific constraints on any of these areas of discretion with our
firm’s written acknowledgement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
We do not and will not accept the proxy authority to vote client securities. Clients will receive proxies
or other solicitations directly from their custodian or a transfer agent. In the event that proxies are
sent to our firm, we will forward them on to you and ask the party who sent them to mail them
directly to you in the future. Clients may call, write or email us to discuss questions they may have
about particular proxy votes or other solicitations.
Item 18: Financial Information
We are not required to provide financial information in this Brochure because:
We do not require the prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees and six or more months in
advance.
We do not have a financial condition or commitment that impairs our ability to meet
contractual and fiduciary obligations to clients.
We have never been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
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