Frequently Asked Questions

As independent advisors, our advice is not tied to an investment product or fund family, or the bottom line of a big company. We are each personally responsible for the reputation of our company; our only allegiance is to you – our clients.  We work to form deep relationships with you, seek to serve your best interests, charge transparent fees, and are accountable to you alone. Read our full article.

We Are Focused on You

As fiduciaries that care deeply about our profession and our clients, we do everything we can to help you succeed, have a fuller, less worrisome relationship with your finances, and achieve your goals.  We develop close relationships with our clients and love celebrating your accomplishments and successes. And when you face tough obstacles, we are there to help as a resource and guide during challenging times.

We Are Local

We love the Pacific Northwest as much as you do, but that is not the only advantage to hiring a local advisor.  We understand state-specific financial planning issues, and we have local connections to estate planning, insurance, and tax professionals. These connections allow us to better act as the coordinator of your entire financial picture.

We enjoy meeting you in person. While we appreciate virtual meetings as much as anyone, we value the connection that is forged when we meet in person.

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A fiduciary is someone required to act on behalf of your best interest.

There are two standards of care that apply to financial advisors: the suitability standard and the fiduciary standard.

An advisor working under a suitability standard must have a reasonable belief that an investment is suitable for their client. They are not required to put your interests above their own, and can recommend products that pay them more, as long as they are “suitable” for your situation. That means they can increase their bottom line through commissions on products that may not necessarily be the best investments for you.

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Why Choose a Fee-Only Advisor?

There are 3 primary ways a financial advisor can be compensated.

In a Commission-Based Model, the financial advisor earns commissions when they buy or sell certain investment or insurance products.

In a Fee-Based Model (which can also be referred to as a Hybrid Commission and Fee Model, or a Dually Registered Advisor) the financial advisor can earn fees through commissions on product sales, and from a percentage of assets that they manage.

In both cases above, it can be hard to differentiate between what’s best for your financial interest, and what’s best for your advisor.

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