Financial Planning Focused on You, Not Fees
When comparing wealth managers, it’s natural to compare fees. But often it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. There are many ways advisors get paid. Some get paid on commission, others on a percentage of assets, while others seek a retainer upfront, hourly, or project-based compensation. Service scope varies widely as well.
While no single fee structure works best for every situation, each fee structure creates certain behaviors. For example, upfront commissions do not require or reward ongoing service, while hourly fees may encourage unnecessary work and analysis.
Before comparing fees, you must understand ALL the ways a prospective adviser gets paid, and ALL the services provided. When comparing wealth managers, the adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” rings true.
Fee Transparency
Boardwalk Financial Strategies’ compensation comes from one source and one source only: our clients. We receive no commissions, no hidden 12b‐1 fees (trailing annual commissions), and no kickbacks of any kind. We do not sell any products. We base our compensation on a percentage of assets under management (AUM).
Being a fee‐only Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) requires us to disclose any conflicts of interest (of which we have none). Because of this, our financial recommendations are always in your best interest.
Calculating Fees
We calculate fees on a sliding scale based on total AUM. This fee includes portfolio management and all ongoing financial planning services. The only way we can increase our compensation is to grow your assets. We align our goals and have an incentive to always act in your best interest. We work to:
- Be mindful of fees
- Minimize taxes
- Educate you on suitable investment vehicles and their associated fees
- Empower you to make thoughtful financial planning decisions