How should you choose a financial advisor?

At SFA we publish our returns because we are proud of our results! If an advisor/broker isn't open about their past performance, this should raise some red flags.

Not only are we transparent about our performance, but our results are independently computed by Morningstar, Inc. (not back-tested or hypothetical) they are also always shown net of all costs. 

Most others in our industry only train their staff in sales tactics, not portfolio management or financial planning principles. At SFA, our advisors must have extensive industry education and experience. There are no sales meetings, contests, or sales quotas that must be met. 

Not all financial advisors are fiduciaries. We are a true fiduciary! As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we have a fiduciary duty, which means we are legally required to always put our client’s interests above our own.  

Remember to look out for brokers/insurance agents that claim to be fiduciary part of the time. Learn how to spot these these "hybrid" advisors here. 

A fiduciary has a legal duty to act in your best interest. Lawyers and doctors also have a fiduciary duty to their clients and patients.

Rather than operating out of self-interest (such as recommending insurance policies or investments in pursuit of fees and commissions for themselves), a fiduciary advisor is obligated by law to make recommendations that benefit you.

Some firms don't take the time to get to know you and your situation, preferences, and needs. A little bit of time now can save a lifetime of heartache. Because of this, the first step to becoming an SFA client is for us to complete our profiling process. This helps us properly develop a portfolio specifically designed to meet your unique needs! 

Our industry is notorious for hidden fees and charges. Our fee schedule is designed to be completely transparent and easy to understand. We collect no commissions, and will not accept 12b-1 fees, incentivizing trips, bonuses, or gifts. These soft dollars are intended to influence sales practices, and as true fiduciaries, we will not participate in anything that jeopardizes our commitment to our clients. At SFA we are 100% fee-based and retain zero revenue generated from any insurance-based products.