Fee-Only Financial Planning & Wealth Management

Independent Registered Investment Advisers are professional independent advisory firms that provide personalized financial advice to their clients, many of whom have complex financial needs.  Because these advisors are independent, they are not tied to any particular family of funds or investment products.  As fiduciaries, they are held to the highest standard of care—and are required to act in the best interests of their clients at all times.  They are registered with either the Securities and Exchange Commission or state securities regulators.

A fiduciary is a professional entrusted to help manage client wealth while putting the client’s best interests first at all times.  Financial advisors who follow a fiduciary standard must disclose any conflict, or potential conflict, to their clients prior to and throughout the advisory engagement.  Fiduciaries will also adopt a code of ethics and will fully disclose how they are compensated.

To be a 'true' fiduciary, one must first step into the shoes of those receiving the fiduciary's advice and guidance.  One can only do that with full knowledge of the client's entire financial situation.  Without that knowledge, it is simply not possible to provide the best advice.  Period.

A combination of being fee-only, independent, and comprehensive sets us apart.  As a independent Fee-Only Registered Investment Advisor, we provide the best advice for each client’s specific situation and needs without concerning ourselves with the agenda of a parent company.  Our services range from financial planning to investment management to risk management to tax planning and estate planning.  After taking all unique financial aspects and goals into account, recommendations are made to the client.

Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) is a formal recognition of expertise in the areas of financial planning, taxes, insurance, estate planning, and retirement.  Owned and awarded by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., the designation is awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board's initial exams, then continue ongoing annual education programs to sustain their skills and certification.

A CPA is different than an accountant.  In fact, anyone who does any type of accounting function – even someone without a degree – can call themselves an accountant.

A certified public accountant (CPA), however, is someone who has earned a professional designation through a combination of education, experience and licensing.

In addition to completing a program of study in accounting, and acquiring professional work experience in public accounting, a CPA candidate also must sit for and pass the Uniform CPA Examination.

The exam itself is developed and graded by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA).  Licensing, however, is done by state, district and county Boards of Accountancy.

In our advisory role, we never take custody of client assets.  We utilize Schwab Institutional, a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., as the custodian of client accounts and as our primary broker.  Our relationship with Schwab is an arm’s length transaction with no exchange of funds between Schwab and Commencement Financial Planning LLC.  When your account is established with Schwab, you provide Commencement Financial Planning LLC with limited trading authorization on your account.  This authority allows us to process trades directly in client accounts, but not without prior written client approval.