Are you a fiduciary?
Yes, we work with you as a fiduciary. In our role as a fee-only advisor we have to act in your best interest, and provide you with guidance and advice that is intended to avoid conflicts of interest.
Holders of the CFP® certification are required to act in the best interests of the client when providing financial advice – even if those interests are in conflict with their own. It’s a legal and ethical distinction that holds financial planners to the highest standard of care.
In addition, holders of the CFA® designation must act for the benefit of their clients and place their clients’ interests before their employer’s or their own interests.
How much does it cost?
We believe comprehensive financial advice should be affordable and accessible. Each client will be assessed a personalized and transparent fee, based on the complexity and involvement – not simply based on how much money you.
It is one of our goals to provide a lot of value, and we try to keep the fee as low as reasonably possible. While we are not the lowest cost provider, and don’t intend to be, we tend to be very competitively priced.
How do you invest ?
We believe that sustainable investing creates a stronger long-term portfolio based on risk and return characteristics. Our investment portfolios are diversified across several different asset classes (e.g. US stocks, international and emerging market stocks, bonds).
Each client portfolio is built around the specific circumstances and risk profile of the client and can range from conservative to aggressive growth.
You can see more details here…
Do you receive commissions?
We are a fee-only advisor, and as such, we have a fiduciary responsibility to act in our clients’ best interest. We do not accept any fees or compensation based on product sales, and only get paid based upon the advisory services we provide to our clients. Hence, we can give unbiased advice without conflicts of interest.
Where are you located?
We operate out of Bethesda, MD, but have clients in several states mostly along the East Coast. Client meetings can be in-person, over the phone or via video conference, whichever works best in the given situation.
What types of clients do you work with?
Our primary clients are mid-career professionals, small business owners and retirees, who have worked hard to accumulate their nest egg. Most have investable assets between $500k and $5 million, although some are outside that range.
We also service non-profits and charities, and can help small businesses set up a retirement plan to help their employees towards a comfortable retirement.
How often can we meet?
In the beginning of a client relationship, we will meet several times to gather and review all pertinent information. After that, we will touch base quarterly or semi-annually, with at least one in-depth meeting per year to review the financial plan.
Some clients prefer to meet more often, while others want less involvement.
Can we meet online instead?
Yes, many of our clients prefer to meet over a phone call or video conference instead of in-person, to accommodate their busy schedule.
Do you sell insurance?
No, we do not. However, we work with each client to assess their needs for various insurance products (e.g. term or whole life, long-term care, disability, etc.) and have trusted insurance professionals we can refer you to.
What if I need legal and/or tax help?
We do not offer tax or legal advice, but have several trusted professionals that we can refer clients to if they need help from an estate attorney or accountant. We do not receive any compensation for these referrals – we offer them as a service to our clients.
We can work closely with your attorney or accountant to structure your finances in a way that supports your estate documents and tax planning, creating your own team of experts to meet your needs.