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Item 1
Cover page Firm
Brochure
(Part 2A of Form ADV)
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc.
21660 W. Field Pkwy. Suite 290
Deer Park, IL 60010
PH. 847-726-9600
Fax 847-620-0690
jdobbs@woodfieldfinancialadvisors.com
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this
brochure, please contact us at: 847-726-9600, or by email at:
jdobbs@woodfieldfinancialadvisors.com. The information in this brochure has not been
approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or by
any state securities authority. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. is available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov
February 24, 2026
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Item 2 Material Changes
Annual Update
The Material Changes section of this brochure will be updated annually if and when
material changes occur since the previous release of the Firm Brochure.
Material Changes since the Last Update
Since our last filing on February 20, 2025, we have increased our hourly rate to
$350.
Donald Monsen and Martin Konsor each own 5% of the company stock according to
a new succession plan put in place that provides for continuation of the firm in the
event of the death or disability of the company’s founder James Dobbs.
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. formed a new DBA Woodfield Inheritance Advisors
focused on serving people that have inherited $1,000,000 or more.
Full Brochure Available
Whenever you would like to receive a complete copy of our Firm Brochure, please
contact us by telephone at: 847-726-9600 or by email at:
jdobbs@woodfieldfinancialadvisors.com.
Item 3
Table of Contents
Form ADV-Part 2A-Firm Brochure
Contents
Annual Update .................................................................................................................. 2
Material Changes since the Last Update .......................................................................... 2
Full Brochure Available ..................................................................................................... 2
Item 3 ................................................................................................................................ 2
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. 2
Item 4 ADVISORY BUSINESS .......................................................................................... 4
Firm Description ................................................................................................................ 4
Types of Advisory Services ............................................................................................... 4
Tailored Relationships ....................................................................................................... 5
Item 5 Fees and Compensation ........................................................................................ 7
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Description ........................................................................................................................ 7
Fee Billing ......................................................................................................................... 8
Other Fees ........................................................................................................................ 8
Hourly Planning Engagements .......................................................................................... 9
Expense Ratios ................................................................................................................. 9
Item 6 Performance based fees and side-by-side analysis ............................................... 9
Item 7 Types of Clients ...................................................................................................... 9
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ............................... 9
Methods of Analysis .......................................................................................................... 9
Investment Strategies ..................................................................................................... 10
Risk of Loss .................................................................................................................... 10
Item 9 Disciplinary Information ........................................................................................ 11
Legal and Disciplinary ..................................................................................................... 11
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations .............................................. 11
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ............................................................................................................................ 11
Code of Ethics ................................................................................................................. 11
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions ................................................................ 11
Personal Trading ............................................................................................................. 11
Item 12 Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................... 12
Order Aggregation ........................................................................................................... 12
Item 13 Review of Accounts ............................................................................................ 12
Periodic Reviews ............................................................................................................ 12
Review Triggers .............................................................................................................. 12
Regular Reports .............................................................................................................. 12
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation ......................................................... 12
Incoming Referrals .......................................................................................................... 12
Referrals Out ................................................................................................................... 13
Item 15 Custody .............................................................................................................. 13
Performance Reports ...................................................................................................... 14
Net Worth Statements ..................................................................................................... 14
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Item 16 Investment Discretion ......................................................................................... 14
Item 17 Voting Client Securities ...................................................................................... 15
Proxy Votes ..................................................................................................................... 15
Item 18 Financial Information .......................................................................................... 15
Financial Condition ......................................................................................................... 15
Item 4 ADVISORY BUSINESS
Firm Description
Woodfield Financial Advisors Inc. was founded in 2009. Woodfield Financial Advisors,
Inc. is the successor to Woodfield Planning Corporation which was founded in 1982.
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc., provides personalized confidential financial planning
and investment management to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts,
estates, charitable organizations, and small businesses. Advice is provided through
consultation with the client and may include determination of financial objectives,
identification of financial problems, cash flow management, tax planning, insurance
review, investment management, education funding, retirement planning, and estate
planning.
Principal Owners – James B. Dobbs is the sole stockholder.
Types of Advisory Services
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services, also known as
asset management services; furnishes investment advice consultations; issues special
reports about securities; and issues, charts, graphs, formulas, or other devices which
clients may use to evaluate securities.
Many clients choose to have Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. manage their investable
assets in order to obtain ongoing in-depth advice and life planning. Portfolio
Management for individuals, small businesses, and institutional clients (other than
investment companies) entails portfolio design based on risk tolerance, goals, age and
past investment experience. We suggest an asset allocation model after completing an
interview with the prospective client which includes a written risk questionnaire. After
establishing an asset allocation model, we transfer assets to the selected investments.
We then monitor portfolio performance and client reaction to market swings,
recommending adjustments to asset allocation model if necessary. Portfolios will be
rebalanced semi-annually to their respective original asset allocation model(s). All
servicing of accounts will be performed by our firm. This includes but is not limited to;
client requested distributions, additional investments, and registration changes.
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The quarterly Investment Advisory Agreement fee is based on a percentage of the
investable assets according to the following schedule:
0.25%* (1% annual rate) of the account invested asset value at the beginning of the
preceding quarter, adjusted for cash flows in/out of the account during the quarter
(dividend and capital gain distribution activity is excluded from this calculation).
(*applicable to the first $5 million aggregate client account(s) invested balance for all
accounts held at Fidelity WealthScape, a quarterly fee of 0.20% (0.80% annual rate)
applies to the aggregate client invested balance that exceeds $5 million asset value) A
quarterly fee of .125%, .5% applies to assets in excess of $10 million dollars.
The client or Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. may terminate an Investment Advisory
Agreement by written notice to the other party. At termination, fees will be charged on a
pro rata basis for the portion of the quarter completed. The portfolio value at the
completion of the prior full billing quarter is used as the basis for the fee computation,
adjusted for the number of days during the billing quarter prior to termination.
As of February 22, 2026, Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. manages approximately
$203,740,688 on a discretionary basis and $26,328,359 on a non-discretionary basis.
We do not participate in wrap fee accounts.
On more than an occasional basis, Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. furnishes advice
to clients on matters not involving securities, such as financial planning matters, taxation
issues, and trust services that often include estate planning.
Tailored Relationships
The goals and objectives for each client are documented. Investment policy statements
may be created that reflect the stated goals and objectives. Clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
A financial plan is designed to help the client with all aspects of financial planning and
may include an ongoing Investment Advisory Agreement after the financial plan is
completed (see section titled Investment Advisory Agreement). Planning may be done
on an hourly basis if desired by the client. The hourly rate for limited scope
engagements is $350. Single fee engagements may also be arranged. The initial
meeting may be by telephone, video chat, or in person, is free of charge and is
considered an exploratory interview to determine the extent to which financial planning
and investment advisory services may be beneficial to the client.
The financial plan may include but is not limited to: a net worth statement; cash flow
management; strategic tax planning; a review of insurance policies and coverage levels,
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estate planning, education planning, review of retirement accounts, and plans including
investment allocation in 401k and other accounts where client has discretion over the
asset allocation model; a review of investment accounts.
A written evaluation of each client's initial situation as well as our recommendations is
provided to the client. Periodic reviews are also communicated to provide reminders of
the specific courses of action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews occur but are
not necessarily communicated to the client unless immediate changes are recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) are engaged
directly by the client on an as-needed basis.
Detailed investment advice and specific recommendations are provided as part of a
financial plan. Implementation of the recommendations is at the discretion of the client.
Net worth Statement includes preparation of a detailed statement of the clients’ financial
condition including all assets, liabilities. (1-2 hours)
Cash flow management could include advice on which investment to take distributions
from for income needs or required minimum distributions. We may give advice on what
order debts should be paid down. For example; paying down credit card debt would
usually be a priority. (1-6 hours)
Tax planning could include advice about the advantages of retirement plan contributions
(through employment or individually) to fund retirement and reduce current income taxes.
Giving advice on which assets will generate the least tax liability upon taking distributions.
Tax efficient wealth transfer strategies. (1-6 hours)
Insurance planning may include a review of client’s auto, homeowners, life, disability,
long term care and health insurance (when applicable) and give advice tailored to
individual situation. Our recommendations may result in our implementing changes or
may result in our directing client to make changes through employer benefits department
or current agent. (1-6 hours)
Estate Planning for our clients is generally accomplished with the collaboration of an
estate planning attorney and an accountant. Our main concern is that the client’s assets
are distributed according to their wishes with the least tax liability for the client’s heirs.
The decision whether our client uses a will or trust, or other beneficiary arrangements are
ultimately between the client and their attorney.
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We will assist in implementing changes in registration or beneficiaries for client’s assets.
In some cases, Life insurance will be required to accomplish the estate plan. This might
be necessary to pay the outstanding balance on a mortgage, so the spouse does not
have their living standard reduced during their remaining years. It may be used to fund a
“buy/sell” agreement for business owners to heirs to be compensated for their share of
the business. (1-6 hours)
Education funding is calculated based upon the current cost of schooling, expected
rate of return, anticipated inflation rate and date at which funds will be required. The
need will be satisfied with the option of a lump sum investment today or monthly
investment until the time that school begins. After the need is determined and agreed on,
we will implement the program if our client approves. Typically, this will involve using
mutual funds within a 529 plan or UTMA account depending on the specific situation. (15
hours)
Retirement planning consists of doing an analysis based on our client’s estimated
monthly income need after retirement. We will take into consideration current invested
assets including current retirement plans, future pensions and social security benefits
when analyzing income required. If there is an anticipated shortfall, we will suggest that
the client begin saving the pre-determined amount to accumulate enough assets to allow
monthly distributions that will satisfy the shortfall. Lastly, we will implement this strategy
typically utilizing a portfolio of “no load” mutual funds that matches the client’s tolerance
for risk. After retirement we continually monitor portfolio performance as well as client
withdrawals. If a client is making excessive withdrawals, we will counsel restraint. Our
estimates regarding performance tend to be conservative. This is meant to give a little
“comfort zone” to prevent depleting assets prior to the point when the need no longer
exists. (2-7 hours)
The goals and objectives for each client are documented. Clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
Item 5 Fees and Compensation
Description
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. investment advisory fees are charged as a percentage
of assets under management. The quarterly Investment Advisory Agreement fee is based
on a percentage of the investable assets according to the following schedule: For
services rendered, Advisor will debit a quarterly fee equal to 0.25%* (1% annual rate) of
the account invested asset value at the beginning of the preceding quarter, adjusted for
cash flows in/out of the account during the quarter (dividend and capital gain distribution
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activity is excluded from this calculation). [*applicable to the first $5 million aggregate
client account(s) invested balance for all accounts held at Fidelity WealthScape, a
quarterly fee of 0.20% (0.80% annual rate) applies to the aggregate client invested
balance that exceeds $5 million asset value. A quarterly fee of 0.125% (0.50% annual
rate) applies to the aggregate client invested balance that exceeds $10 million asset
value.
An advisory client has the right to terminate the contract without penalty within 5
business days after entering the contract and no fee will be charged. After 5 days
advisory fees will be pro-rated.
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. may also earn commissions from the sale of insurance
products. ADVISORY FEES ARE NOT CHARGED ON PRODUCTS THAT PAY A
COMMISSION. The practice of selling investments that pay a commission represents a
conflict of interest and gives us an incentive to recommend investment products based
on the compensation received, rather than on a client’s needs. We disclose the fact that
we are receiving a commission to you when applicable. In the majority of situations, we
recommend no-load mutual funds. You have the option to purchase investment products
that we recommend through other brokers or agents that are not affiliated with us.
Fees are not negotiable.
Fee Billing
Investment management fees are billed quarterly, in ARREARS, meaning that we
charge your account AFTER the three-month billing period has ENDED. Fees are
deducted from a designated client account to facilitate billing. The client must consent in
advance to direct debiting of their investment account.
Other Fees
Custodians may charge transaction fees on purchases or sales of certain mutual funds
and exchange-traded funds. These transaction charges are usually small and incidental
to the purchase or sale of a security. The selection of the security is more important than
the nominal fee that the custodian charges to buy or sell the security.
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc., in its sole discretion, may waive its minimum fee
and/or charge a lesser investment advisory fee based upon certain criteria (e.g.,
historical relationship, type of assets, anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated
future additional assets, dollar amounts of assets to be managed, related accounts,
account composition).
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Hourly Planning Engagements
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. provides hourly planning services for clients who
need advice on a limited scope of work. The hourly rate for limited scope engagements
is $350. An advisory client has the right to terminate the contract without penalty within 5
business days after entering the contract. If the client is dissatisfied for any reason no
hourly fee will be charged.
Single Fee Planning Engagements
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc., offers single fee planning engagements where a client
pays a pre-determined fee for a certain scope of work completed. This fee is agreed
upon before the engagement and ranges from $600 to $15,000 depending on scope and
complexity. The fee is only payable at the time a client is 100% satisfied with the work
completed. No money is accepted up-front for such engagements. The fee may be
discounted for clients who decide to continue as investment advisory clients.
Expense Ratios
Mutual funds generally charge a management fee for their services as investment
managers. The management fee is called an expense ratio. For example, an expense
ratio of 0.50 means that the mutual fund company charges 0.50% for their services.
These fees are in addition to the fees paid by you to Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc.
Performance figures quoted by mutual fund companies in various publications are all net
of their fees.
Item 6 Performance based fees and side-by-side analysis
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. does not accept performance-based fees.
Item 7 Types of Clients
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. generally provides investment advice to individuals,
companies, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations,
corporations and business entities.
Client relationships vary in scope and length of service ranging from a one- time
consultation to a 35-year + relationship.
Item 8 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis
Security analysis method used is fundamental analysis. The main sources of
information include financial newspapers and magazines, inspections of corporate
activities, research materials prepared by others, corporate rating services, annual
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reports, prospectuses, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and
company press releases.
Investment Strategies
The investment strategy for a specific client is based upon the objectives stated by the
client during consultations. The client may change these objectives at any time. Each
client executes an Investment Advisory Agreement that documents their objectives and
their desired investment strategy.
Risk of Loss
All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Our investment
approach constantly keeps the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the following
investment risks:
•
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.
•
Market Risk: The price of a 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, political, economic and social conditions may trigger market events.
•
•
Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as
much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of
inflation.
Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of
the dollar against the currency of the investment’s originating country. This is also
referred to as exchange rate risk.
•
Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may
have to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e. interest rate). This
primarily relates to fixed income securities.
•
Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular
company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies depend on finding
oil and then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can generate a profit. They
carry a higher risk of profitability than an electricity company, which generates its
income from a steady stream of customers who buy electricity no matter what the
economic environment is like.
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•
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash.
Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized
product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties
are not.
•
Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business’ operations increases
the risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its
obligations in good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability
to meet loan obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value.
Item 9 Disciplinary Information
Legal and Disciplinary
The firm and its employees have not been involved in legal or disciplinary events related
to past or present investment clients.
Item 10 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
We do not recommend or select other investment advisors for our clients.
Item 11 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
The employees of Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. have committed to a Code of
Ethics that is available for review by clients and prospective clients upon request. The
firm will provide a copy of the Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon
request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. and its employees may buy or sell securities that are
also held by clients. Employees may not trade their own securities ahead of client trades.
Employees comply with the provisions of the Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc.
Compliance Manual.
Personal Trading
The Chief Compliance Officer of Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. is James B. Dobbs.
He reviews all employee trades each quarter. His trades are reviewed by Donald
Monsen. The personal trading reviews ensure that the personal trading of employees
does not affect the markets, and that clients of the firm receive preferential treatment.
Since most employee trades are small mutual fund trades or exchange-traded fund
trades, the trades do not affect the securities markets.
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Item 12 Brokerage Practices
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. does not have any affiliation with product sales firms.
Specific custodian recommendations are made to Clients based on their need for such
services. Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. recommends custodians based on the
proven integrity and financial responsibility of the firm.
Order Aggregation
All trades are mutual funds or exchange-traded funds where trade aggregation does not
garner any client benefit.
Item 13 Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
Account reviews are performed quarterly by advisors James B. Dobbs, CFP® President
Donald J. Monsen, CFP® Vice-President and Martin Konsor CFP®. Account reviews are
performed more frequently when market conditions dictate.
Review Triggers
Other conditions that may trigger a review are changes in the tax laws, new investment
information, and changes in a client's own situation.
Regular Reports
Account reviewers are members of the firm's Investment Committee. They are instructed
to consider the client's current security positions and the likelihood that the performance
of each security will contribute to the investment objectives of the client.
Investment Advisory clients receive periodic communications on at least an annual
basis. Investment Advisory clients receive written statements on the value of their
investments and activity within their accounts monthly.
Item 14 Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Incoming Referrals
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. has been fortunate to receive many client referrals
over the years. The referrals came from current clients, estate planning attorneys,
accountants, employees, personal friends of employees and other similar sources. The
firm does not compensate referring parties for these referrals.
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Referrals Out
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. does not accept referral fees or any form of
remuneration from other professionals when a prospect or client is referred to them.
Item 15 Custody
We are deemed to have custody of client funds and securities due to our ability to deduct
management fees from clients’ accounts. We will not take physical custody of clients’
funds and will not assign or transfer trading authorization to another advisor. Clients will
receive account statements from the qualified custodian(s) holding their funds and
securities at least quarterly. The custodian’s account statements will indicate the amount
of our advisory fees deducted from the clients’ account(s) each billing period. These
statements should be carefully reviewed by the client for accuracy. Item 5 – Fees and
Compensation has additional information regarding our ability to deduct management
fees from clients’ accounts.
We are deemed to have custody as a result of our Standing Letters of Authorization
(“SLOA(s)”) to transfer funds from their account to third parties. In such instances where
we act under such a SLOA, it is our policy to only initiate these transactions when
directed by the client to transfer funds to a third party the client designates for a
designated amount and at a designated time, all of their choosing. A surprise
examination is not required in this circumstance where we are deemed to have custody
due to SLOAs, as we are relying on the conditions set forth in the No-Action letter issued
by the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 21, 2017. Pursuant to the
conditions set forth in the No-Action Letter, we confirm that in those situations:
• You provide an instruction to the qualified custodian, in writing, that includes your
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;
• You authorize us, 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 qualified custodian performs appropriate verification of the instruction, such as
a signature review or other method to verify your authorization, and the qualified
custodian provides a transfer of funds notice to you promptly after each transfer;
• You can terminate or change the instruction to the qualified custodian;
• We have 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 your
instruction;
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• We maintain records showing that the third party is not a related party of Woodfield
or located at the same address as Woodfield; and the qualified custodian sends
you, in writing, an initial notice confirming the instruction and an annual notice
reconfirming the instruction.
Performance Reports
Clients are urged to compare the account statements received directly from their
custodians to the performance report statements provided by Woodfield Financial
Advisors, Inc.
Net Worth Statements
Clients may be provided with net worth statements. Net worth statements contain
approximations of bank account balances provided by the client, as well as the value of
land and hard-to-price real estate. The net worth statements are used for long-term
financial planning where the exact values of assets are not material to the financial
planning tasks.
Item 16 Investment Discretion
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. accepts discretionary authority to manage securities
accounts on behalf of clients. Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. has the authority to
determine, without obtaining specific client consent, the securities to be bought or sold,
and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold.
The client approves the custodian to be used. Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. does
not receive any portion of the transaction fees or commissions paid by the client to the
custodian on certain trades.
Discretionary trading authority facilitates placing trades in your accounts on your behalf
so that we may promptly implement the investment policy that you have approved in
writing.
If you do not grant this limited investment discretion, your IAR will be required to contact
you and get affirmation regarding our investment recommendations, such as the
security being recommended, the number of shares, and whether the security should
be bought or sold before implementing changes in your account.
Once the above factors are agreed upon, we will be responsible for making decisions
regarding the timing of buying or selling an investment and the price at which the
investment is bought or sold. If your accounts are managed on a discretionary basis, it is
critical that you respond promptly. If we do not receive a response to our request
immediately, the timing of trade implementation can lead to an adverse impact where we
cannot achieve the optimal trading price.
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On a case-by-case basis, you can place reasonable restrictions on the types of
investments that can be purchased or sold in your account so long as the restrictions
are explicitly set forth or included as an attachment to the investment advisory
agreement.
Item 17 Voting Client Securities
Proxy Votes
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. does not vote proxies on securities. Clients are
expected to vote their own proxies. When assistance on voting proxies is requested,
Woodfield Financial Advisors, Inc. will provide recommendations to the Client. If a conflict
of interest exists, it will be disclosed to the Client.
Item 18 Financial Information
Financial Condition
We are not required to include a balance sheet for our most recent fiscal year. We are
not subject to a financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair our ability to meet
contractual commitments to our clients. We are currently not in, nor have been
historically in a financially precarious situation or the subject of a bankruptcy petition.
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