Firm Info
Firm Size
Services Offered
- Financial Planning
- Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
- Other
Types of Clients
- Individuals (Not High Net Worth)
-
Individuals High Net Worth
*>=750k in Investable Assets or >=1.5m of Estimated Total Net Worth
- Charitable Organizations
Available Fee Structures
- Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
- Hourly
- Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
Independent Financial Advisors Overview
Independent Financial Advisors is a renowned registered investment advisory firm that specializes in providing advanced investment advice to its clients. Being a fee-only firm, it provides unbiased and personalized financial planning and portfolio management services. The firm was established in 2006, with its headquarters located in Pound Ridge, NY, and has maintained a firm footing in the industry for over 15 years. The investment advisory firm exclusively offers investment advice centralized around financial planning and portfolio management for individuals and small businesses. The firm has helped numerous clients meet their financial goals by offering personalized services tailored to their specific financial circumstances. Its portfolio management services assist clients in enhancing their investment strategies, presenting them measurable results, and the ability to make informed financial decisions that benefit them in the long run. In addition to its standard services, Independent Financial Advisors also offers specialized portfolio management services for charitable organizations. The firm helps these organizations create and implement an efficient investment strategy, maximizing their investments, and contributing to their philanthropic goals. With their steadfast work ethic and trusted services, Independent Financial Advisors have proven to be one of the best financial advisory firms in the industry, catering to the financial needs of all its clients.
Independent Financial Advisors is a firm that caters to an eclectic array of clients with different financial backgrounds. The firm specializes in serving individuals, high net worth individuals, and charitable organizations that require personalized financial advice. The team of financial experts at Independent Financial Advisors utilizes their extensive knowledge of the industry to create unique strategies that help clients achieve their financial objectives. With their goal of ensuring clients stay financially healthy and secure, Independent Financial Advisors provides uncompromising quality service to all their clients. Independent Financial Advisors recognizes the varying needs of its clients and offers flexible fee structures that cater to each individual's unique requirements. Some clients may prefer to pay a percentage of their assets under management (AUM) to access the firm’s services. Others may opt for hourly fees that accommodate their specific needs for consultation. The firm also offers fixed fees for clients who need comprehensive financial planning services that cover different areas of their finances. These fee structures provide clients with different options to reach their financial goals with the help of expert financial advice and customized solutions. The team at Independent Financial Advisors works with clients to identify the fee structure that best suits their needs, ensuring they receive value for their money.
Typical Clients, Fee Structures & Investment Minimum
The Part 2 Brochure note for Independent Financial Advisors states that certain asset minimums may apply, and currently a minimum of $1 million in investible assets is required to qualify as a client. Therefore, it is clear that Independent Financial Advisors has an investment minimum of $1 million for prospective clients.
How This Office Can Help Easton, PA Residents
Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) are professionals who offer expert advice on financial planning, investment management, and other financial matters. In Easton, PA, IFAs assist clients in various situations, such as planning for retirement, saving for a child's education, managing debt and credit, and investing in the stock market or other financial instruments. They help clients develop personalized financial plans that align with their goals and risk tolerance, taking into account their current financial situation and future plans. IFAs can also assist clients with tax planning, estate planning, insurance needs, and other financial matters. They act as a buffer between the clients and the intricate financial world, guiding them through complex financial choices and, when necessary, negotiating with financial service providers. Easton, PA, has a diverse population, and IFAs can provide valuable assistance to people from all walks of life, including business owners, entrepreneurs, professionals, and retirees. In summary, Independent Financial Advisors play a crucial role in helping clients in Easton, PA, navigate their finances and achieve their financial goals.
Services Offered by Independent Financial Advisors
Core Advisor Services
Financial Planning
Financial planning services encompass the process of devising strategies for your future financial well-being, including preparing for events such as retirement, funding your child's college education, or planning for the transfer of assets.
Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
Portfolio management entails the careful selection and strategic management of investment combinations tailored to meet the needs of individuals and small businesses.
Market Timing Services
Market timing services involve the endeavor to generate short-term profits from investments by capitalizing on opportunities to buy at low prices and sell at high prices.
Other Services
Selection of Other Advisors
The firm provides support in selecting and engaging other advisors who possess specialized expertise to complement your financial needs.
Publication of Periodicals or Newsletters
The firm engages in the dissemination of diverse financial educational materials through the publication of periodicals.
Educational Seminars & Workshops
The firm organizes and conducts seminars or workshops aimed at enlightening investors on various financial concepts.
Fee Structures
Financial advisory fees usually are based on the services provided. Fee types charged by Independent Financial Advisors most likely consist of the following fee types: asset-based, hourly or fixed. Wrap fee programs, or the practice of bundling services for a single fee, are not offered by the firm.
Available
Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
This fee structure charges a percentage of the assets under management by the firm. Fee structures are often tiered based on the amount of assets managed, with higher AUM often charged a lower rate.
Between 0.50% and 2.00% of assets under management (annually), often lower for a robo advisor. Fees are typically charged quarterly by the firm and will show on your investment statement. View typical advisor costs here.
~96% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you have $1 million managed by a firm at a 1% management fee, you would be charged $10,000/year to manage your assets (or $2,500 per quarter). This would be automatically deducted from your investment portfolio.
Hourly
Similar to an attorney, a financial consultant might charge fees based on hourly rates. This fee structure can be advantageous when seeking specific or ad hoc advice.
Charges generally span from $150 to $400 per hour, depending on the extent of the services required.
~33% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you needed hourly consulting to sell a business or transfer your estate to your children but did not want your assets managed by a firm, you could consult a firm at an hourly rate to answer any questions you may have.
Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
Fixed fees are a one-time, lump-sum payment rendered for a specific service, such as creating a financial plan without ongoing management or implementation. This option is beneficial if you solely require guidance for a particular objective rather than a long-term consultancy or asset management.
Fixed fees for creating a financial plan often range from $1,000 to $3,000.
~49% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you did not want a firm to manage your assets but needed to create a retirement plan, life transition plan such as divorce or loss of a spouse, estate transition plan, business financial plan, or any other financial planning, you could consult with an RIA firm to help you with the creation of that plan.
Unavailable
Subscription (Newsletter or Periodical)
Commissions
Occasionally, advisors are compensated through commissions by selling certain financial products, such as mutual funds or life insurance policies, or as a broker-dealer by facilitating the buying and selling of securities. Advisors who receive commissions may be incentivized to make specific suggestions to clients in order to secure a commission. Advisors who operate on a fee-only basis do not earn commissions, whereas fee-based advisors may do so.
Often 3% - 6% of the value of the security.
Only ~3% of registered firms say they offer this fee structure, but other advisors may receive “soft dollars”. Many mutual funds charge 12b-1 fees to cover the promoting and selling of the fund’s shares. While your advisor does not charge these fees, they may receive a kickback for recommending the investment.
An advisor selling their client on a life insurance policy and receiving a commission on the sale of that policy, or recommending a specific investment and receiving a kickback for that recommendation.
Performance-based Fees
Advisors typically obtain performance-based fees if a portfolio surpasses a predefined benchmark. This fee is determined through various methods, but is most commonly assessed as a percentage of investment gains. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to undertake riskier decisions in pursuit of generating higher returns.
“Two and Twenty” is common among hedge funds with a 2% management fee and a 20% incentive fee above the “hurdle rate,” or performance threshold the fund is compared against.
32% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
A hedge fund earns a 15% return with a 20% performance fee in above the performance of the S&P 500, which grew 7% that same year.
20% of fund growth in excess of S&P 500’s 7% growth for that year = 15% hedge fund growth - 7% S&P 500 growth = 8% difference x 20% = 2% performance fee (in addition to the management fee).
Other
Firms occasionally offer unconventional fee structures when charging clients. For more detailed information about a firm’s specific fee structures, please refer to their Form ADV and Part 2 Brochure.
Types of Clients
*The Securities & Exchange Commission defines someone as “high net worth” if they have $750,000 or more in investable assets or $1.5M of estimated total net worth.
This Office Location
Other Office Locations
Firm Headquarters
This firm has no other locations.
State Registrations
Independent Financial Advisors is registered to service clients in the following states:
- Arizona
- New Hampshire
- New York
Disciplinary History
Independent Financial Advisors does not have any disclosures. Please visit it's Form ADV for more details.