Capital B Advisory
An adviser you never hear from
You're not sure what you're paying, what you own, or when you last spoke. Those are all fair things to want answered.
The situation
Not knowing
isn't your
fault.
Advisory fees are often deducted directly from the account, which means they never arrive as a bill you look at. It's entirely possible to pay someone for years without ever seeing the number written down.
Holdings can be just as opaque. A statement listing a dozen funds by ticker doesn't tell you what you actually own or why you own it.
Wanting to check isn't disloyal. It's the same thing you'd do with any other recurring expense.
Worth asking
Four questions
for your
current adviser.
What am I paying, in dollars?
A percentage is abstract. Ask for the annual figure in dollars, including anything charged inside the funds you hold.
Are you fee-only or fee-based?
Fee-based means a fee plus commissions. The words sound alike and describe different arrangements.
Are you a fiduciary, always?
Some are held to that standard for part of what they do and not all of it. Ask for it in writing.
Can I see your Form ADV?
Every registered adviser has one and must provide it. It states fees, conflicts and disciplinary history.
If you'd like a look
Send a
statement.
That's it.
Send me a recent statement and I'll tell you what you're paying and what you hold, in plain English. No obligation either way, and no expectation you switch.
Sometimes the answer is that your current arrangement is perfectly reasonable and you should stay. That's a fine outcome and I'll say so.
If you do want to move, there's no minimum here, fees are posted openly, and you can see the filings before you decide anything.
You can also look up any adviser, including this one, at adviserinfo.sec.gov. Capital B is CRD #339698. Our filings are posted here.
Next step
Twenty minutes.
No cost.
Nothing to prepare and nothing to bring. If I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you on the call.