Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions are designed to help you see “behind the curtain” of any firm with whom you might entrust your financial future.

What kind of risk is there in keeping my assets with you?

Your investments aren’t held directly by us. We use a third-party custodian, LPL Financial, —think of them as the vault. They hold your money and process transactions. We manage the strategy and provide guidance. So if something ever happened to us, your money stays put and protected.

Where do you keep my money and how can I see it?

For your convenience and safety, we use LPL Financial as the custodian for our client assets. LPL is the largest broker-dealer in the country (29,000 advisors) and administers more than $1.7 Trillion in assets. As a custodian, LPL holds your funds and provides reporting to you and the IRS. Your accounts can be viewed at any time online through LPL’s Accountview portal.

How big is your firm, how long have you been around, and how do you handle confidentiality?

We’re intentionally small and focused. That allows us to work closely with a select number of client households and stay highly responsive. We do not work with everyone. The advisors running the firm bring years of industry experience to the table. We started this practice to offer a more personal, transparent alternative, and have the ability to maximize the value we can add to our clients. We take data security seriously. Your personal and financial information is encrypted, stored securely, and only shared with your written permission (i.e. to a CPA or attorney). We don’t outsource client service or use third-party vendors without oversight.

Are your recommendations truly in my best interest?

Imagine going to your doctor with a concern about your heart, and before running any tests, the doctor tried to sell you a pacemaker. The doctor then explained that you needed to act today before prices went up. Later you learned that the doctor was paid extra to promote this particular brand of pacemaker. While absurd for the medical profession, this scenario closely resembles much of the investment world.

As a firm, we take very seriously our Fiduciary duty to always act in the client’s best interest (vs. just trying to sell you a product). In addition to a legal obligation, our firm has been built on a foundation of placing the client’s interest before any thoughts of our own compensation. We recommend for clients the same investment strategies used in our personal accounts and the accounts of our immediate family members. Our commitment to honest and ethical behavior has allowed us to build a very successful firm.

Will your recommendations be primarily focused in one area? In other words, will I need to find another advisor for advice in other areas?

For our clients, we serve as a single point of contact for all their financial needs. As a financial planner, this includes coordinating every aspect of their financial needs. Each of our clients has a financial plan detailing all of the actions needed to achieve their financial goals. As needed, these action items are coordinated with accountants, attorneys, and other professionals. We are your quarterback.

Do you have the knowledge and experience necessary to successfully navigate the complicated financial planning and tax world to achieve my financial goals?

Finn Price is a certified exit planning advisor (CEPA), a certified plan fiduciary advisor (CPFA) and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance from Auburn University. Each year he studies more than 8,000 pages of financial text and is mentored by the country’s top minds in financial, legal, and tax planning. He has been serving clients for more than 6 years, and assists with managing a portfolio of more than $150 million. In addition, Finn is partnered with Blake Henry has been serving clients for more than 17 years.

How many clients do you serve and how does their situation compare to mine?

We currently serve approximately 300 clients, totaling more than $150mil in combined assets. We have intentionally limited the size of our practice to ensure every client receives the service they require to achieve their financial goals. The majority of our clients are retired, or close to it, or own a business.

What will be my total investment expense, how much will you be compensated and where can I see this in writing?

As detailed in our client agreements, for clients with a minimum of $1,000,000 in assets each quarter we deduct a fee equal to 0.25%, and for those under $1,000,000 in assets, we deduct a few equal to 0.375%, directly from the accounts under our management. This deduction is detailed in the quarterly statement we provide to every client. To put this fee in perspective, most days the stock markets move more than 0.25%.

It only makes sense to hire a financial advisor, or any professional, if the services they provide exceed the fees being charged. In other words, the time and effort saved, plus the tax savings and potentially increased investment returns need to exceed 0.25% quarterly (1% annually). The financial plan we present to you will clearly quantify the benefits you will receive.

Will you help me solve any and all financial problems I may encounter?

Yes. We have assisted clients in solving an assortment of financial issues such as 401k plans, IRS audits, family deaths, disability, tax issues, real estate, debt, Social Security, Medicare, health insurance, college, gifting, and almost any other financial issue imaginable. While we certainly don’t have all the answers, through our network of resources, we will not stop until a solution has been found.