Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Investment Advisor Representative?
An investment advisor representative is a fiduciary who has a duty of putting the clients best interests above their own and must deal fairly and honestly with them. An Investment Advisor Representative must be registered with FINRA and also in his/her state of residency. An Investment Advisor is a representative of the client.
What services does AF provide?
We provide financial planning advice regarding retirement, tax strategies, investments, insurance, estate planning, pensions, and general financial matters. As an investment advisory firm, AF focuses on retirement and estate plans for private clients. The firm incorporates advanced tax planning techniques to minimize income and estate taxes, and they utilize conservative asset allocation models in order to focus on capital preservation and multi-generational wealth management.
What types of clients does AF serve?
Our client base consists of individuals, corporations, small businesses, estates and trusts, and pension and profit-sharing plans.
How can I benefit from your services?
Since financial planning can be complex, clients often seek Avacar Financial advisors to help coordinate their retirement, estate, tax strategies, and investment plan. As planning in one area (e.g., investments) may affect another area (e.g., taxes), it is to our client's benefit that we provide detailed planning in all areas and analyze all options before making recommendations. Furthermore, clients who desire a higher, more sophisticated level of financial or investment planning services may find our services appealing. Most of our clients are retired, or about to retire, and have numerous issues regarding retirement distributions, taxes, and estate planning.
How much money does one need to start a financial planning program?
Generally, our services are geared toward those individuals and families who have a minimum of $100,000 in invested assets, and are retired or preparing to do so. However, depending on your individual circumstances, we have the flexibility to develop a plan specific to your needs. This should be discussed on a case-by-case basis with your advisor.
What is a financial plan?
A financial plan is an overall review of your financial situation. It takes into account your goals and objectives and focuses on income tax planning, asset management, estate planning, risk management, educational funding stategies and retirement. Your financial plan will analyze and recommend appropriate measures to help you achieve your financial objectives. Depending upon your specific needs and desires, many, if not all of the aforementioned elements, will be addressed by your financial plan. Your plan may be presented verbally or in writing.
How will AF help me implement my financial plan?
Your plan may be carried our through various advisory programs in which an ongoing fee is charged, or through the purchase of commission-based products. You are free to choose how such implementation occurs, and will typically rely on the recommendation of your financial advisor. It is customary for your advisor to meet with you on a periodic basis (typically quarterly or semi-annually), so your investments, needs and objectives can be reviewed.
How are you compensated for your planning services?
In most cases, we are compensated for our planning and investment services through commission or fee-based asset management. We are also compensated on an hourly or predetermined fixed-fee basis.
Do you sell financial planning products such as investments and insurance?
AF provides financial planning advice and asset management services. As an integral part of a client's financial plan, certain financial products, such as investments and insurance may be purchased from advisors affiliated with Avacar Financial.
Am I obligated to purchase products recommended by AF when they develop my financial planning program?
Absolutely not. However, if a client agrees with our planning recommendations, they generally implement their investment objectives through their AF advisor.
What types of investment strategies do you generally recommend?
AF generally makes long-term recommendations with occasional short-term strategies as the circumstance may indicate. Our investment philosophy focuses on proper diversification and asset allocation over the long haul.
How can I get started?
Contact our office at 603-966-4409 to schedule a complimentary private consultation. This no-obligation meeting will enable us to gather some information and determine if our services may be of benefit to you.