Most people meet two or three advisors and leave with no real way to compare them. The conversations sound alike, the credentials blur, and nobody wants to be the one asking about money. So here are the ten questions worth asking any advisor, and my own answers, in writing, before you call.
Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®) designation is one of the most rigorous credentials in the global investment management industry. As a CFA charterholder, I offer three distinct advantages: knowledge, technical competence, and ethics.
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® (CFP®) certification reflects my commitment to the 4 Es of financial planning: Education, Examination, Experience and Ethics. Learn more about working with CFP® professionals at letsmakeaplan.org.
Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM®) certification attests to my skills in measuring and evaluating investment performance.
Series 65 license (CRD 6269307): Uniform Investment Adviser Law Examination.
Pennsylvania Insurance license (719000) for recommending Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Fixed Annuities.
I have a science background with a Ph.D. in Biophysics focused on pattern recognition and modeling. My researcher mindset helps me build, analyze and apply my own financial models.
Yes, when providing investment advice, I am required to act as a fiduciary. A fiduciary acts in your best interest and follows a higher standard than the suitability standard followed by broker-dealers.
No, my Form ADV Part 2B has no disclosures. Verify at adviserinfo.sec.gov (CRD 6269307).
You can check this yourself in about a minute. Search the CRD number above, and the report will show every registration, exam and disclosure on file. Ask any advisor you meet for theirs.
Full-range investment management and financial planning.
Investment Management: Unlike many advisors who only do asset allocation, I also make direct investment decisions about stocks, bonds, options and alternatives in your portfolio.
Comprehensive Wealth Management: We offer a wide range of planning techniques to achieve your specific financial goals for retirement, college funding, business benefits and succession, income and disability protection, liquidity and legacy.
Financial Strategies and Solutions: We use a range of financial strategies and solutions that aim to improve after-tax returns by managing taxes, investment costs, and financial and non-financial risks.
I specialize in helping scientists and pharmaceutical professionals. My existing clients include a wide range of individuals, families, and businesses. Most of my clients are professionals, executives, retirees, and business owners.
In practice, that usually means a few recurring situations: restricted stock units vesting on a schedule you did not choose, an employee stock purchase plan you may or may not be using, a 401(k) or two left behind at a previous employer, and a move between companies every few years. Those are the cases I see most often.
Our investment management minimum is $500,000 per household.
Advisory Fees: 1.25% of assets per year, with a $500 annual minimum per account
Custodian Brokerage Fees: $100 annual minimum; tiered, up to 0.20% on assets over $50,000
Financial Planning Fees: three tiers, starting at $3,000 for households under $500,000 in assets
I am a fee-based financial advisor. I get paid for investment advice and financial planning advice through the fees I charge my clients.
I do get paid commission if you purchase an insurance policy or annuity contract to build your financial plan through me. These commissions create a conflict of interest, which is disclosed in our Form ADV Part 2A. I avoid products that act as a substitute for investments at a higher cost to you.
Expense ratio: Every fund has an expense ratio that reduces its return. We mostly use low-cost ETFs. Average portfolio expense ratios range from 0.10% to 0.15%.
Third Party Managers (optional): If you want a third-party strategy, we can provide access to selected managers for an additional 0.25% or more.
Additional Service Fees (in some cases): In specific circumstances, our custodian may charge an additional service fee (e.g., a $25 fee for an IRA account). For further details, visit folioinstitutional.com/resources/service-fees.jsp.
Most people stop at the fee answer. If you got this far and the numbers work for you, the next step is a conversation. There is no cost and no obligation.
My investment philosophy has three aspects:
Focus on what we can control: We focus on those aspects of investing and planning that we can control, such as risk allocation, capital allocation, investment expenses, tax optimization, and cash flow management.
Tactical and not Transactional: We build portfolios on long-term strategic models and make measured adjustments as market conditions change, but we do not try to time short-term market movements or chase recent winners.
Behavioral Bias Awareness: We believe recognizing and overcoming our own and our clients' behavioral biases is key to avoiding financial blind spots and improving decision-making.
As often as you like: we connect at least once a quarter and meet in person at least once a year. You can schedule an appointment anytime at calendly.com/viveksharma.
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Investment advisory services are offered through Gwynedd Wealth Partners, LLC (GWP). Registered Investment Advisor registered in the state of Pennsylvania. Nothing on this website is intended to recommend any specific security or investment strategy. Our advisory services are offered only to clients with whom we have an advisory agreement and about whom we have gathered sufficient data concerning their personal objectives, needs, risk tolerance, and circumstances. Content on this website may include views that consider legal concepts and general taxation principles; however, we do not provide, and are not qualified to provide, anyone with legal or tax advice. We encourage readers to consult with their own attorney or tax professional to receive advice and guidance about their specific circumstances.
CFA®, Chartered Financial Analyst®, and CIPM® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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