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Independent Financial Advisor – PillarWM

Wealthy individuals face all kinds of challenges when managing their finances and investments. Such tasks can be made easier to tackle with the help of an independent financial advisor. If you have between $5 million and $500 million in liquid assets, you should seek out financial advisory firms services from Pillar Wealth Management. Our advisors possess expertise in many different areas of wealth management. Learn about our approach to investing by reading our special guide for investors with $10 million or more.

7 Secrets minified

STRATEGIES FOR FAMILIES WORTH $5 MILLION TO $500 MILLION

7 Secrets To High Net Worth Investment Management, Estate, Tax and Financial Planning


The insights you’ll discover from our published book will help you integrate a variety of wealth management tools with financial planning, providing guidance for your future security alongside complex financial strategies, so your human and financial capital will both flourish.

Clients frequently share with us how the knowledge gained from this book helped provide them tremendous clarity, shattering industry-pitched ideologies, while offering insight and direction in making such important financial decisions.

What is an Independent Financial Advisor?

Everyone needs financial advice at some point. This includes wealthy investors who have spent years or even decades managing their finances by themselves. Please set up a complimentary meeting with us to learn how to manage your wealth more effectively.

Wealthy investors often turn to financial professionals when they need assistance in areas such as investment management, retirement planning, and estate planning.

Financial advisors are found all over the country including financial advisory firms. However, they are typically tied to a particular institution, such as a bank or an insurance company. These professionals essentially function as salespeople who promote their employer’s products and services.

On the other hand, an independent financial advisor isn’t beholden to any particular institution or provider. These professionals can recommend products and services from a variety of places in an unbiased manner.

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Because RIAs are independent, they have a larger burden of business administration, requiring time and energy. So, they may be more costly.

An independent advisor has the freedom to develop close relationships with their clients, leading to providing better quality advice, with advice tailored to the client’s needs and goals.

Independent financial advisers provide financial services such as retirement and investment planning. They are typically fee-based fiduciaries with close relationships with their clients.

According to Barron’s, the top independent advisors are Edelman Financial Engines (Santa Clara, CA), Hightower Advisors (Chicago), Creative Planning (Overland Park, Kan), and Captrust (Raleigh, NC).

Like most financial advisors, RIAs charge fees that are a percentage of the assets they manage for the client. This percentage will vary depending on the advisor, so get as much detail as possible.

Independent financial advisors charge fees, typically a percentage of the value of the assets they manage. This percentage will vary, so it’s important to shop around before deciding who to hire.

Independent financial advisers offer financial services such as retirement planning, asset allocation and management, tax planning, estate planning, budgeting, and debt management.

Independent financial advisors make a living from charging fees for their services; clients usually pay a fee that is a percentage of the value of the assets managed by the advisor.

Financial advisors should avoid seeming superior to their clients, not responding to calls and emails, and putting their own interests first. They should act with integrity at all times.

It could be worthwhile to work with an independent advisor, who may have more flexibility in their product offering and more time to develop a close relationship with you.

What Makes a Financial Advisor “Independent”?

A financial advisory firm or individual advisor is considered independent if the firm or individual operates independently of any larger organization. This independence means the firm or individual advisor is not biased or limited in terms of the products and services offered. In general, though, independent and non-independent advisors offer the same types of products and services.

How to Tell If a Financial Advisor Is Independent

Financial advisors offer various services, such as investment planning and retirement planning. To find out if the advisor is independent, ask them.

Or, if they work for a large investment platform, they probably are not independent as the firm will have its own products to sell, such as a mutual fund. Similarly, if the product offering is not very broad, this could indicate non-independence.

Pros and Cons of Independent Financial Advisors

Pros and Cons of Independent Financial Advisors

Being an independent advisor allows the advisor to work with their clients in a way that is free of outside influences or obligations. Independent advisors, who own their investment firm, often have closer relationships with their clients.

Independent advisors are not subject to outside influences and can make investment recommendations across a broad range of products. They are not restricted in their investment models or strategies and can be fully transparent in their approaches to financial planning.

Independent advisors use third-party custodians to hold their clients’ money, while some clients may prefer to work directly with such a financial institution, for example, Charles Schwab or Fidelity.

Moreover, the big firms may offer more expertise simply due to their size, with specialists in areas such as tax and estate planning and alternative investments. Some big firms also provide banking services, such as savings accounts and borrowing options.

Independent vs. Non-Independent Financial Advisors

An independent financial advisor is not influenced by being part of a larger organization or by outside vendors. However, being smaller can mean having less access to research resources, such as those of a large firm.

There can be differences in the fee structures of independent and non-independent financial advisors. In an independent firm, the advisors can avoid conflicts of interest by not accepting commissions as part of their fees. They are said to be fee-only advisors. In contrast, non-independent advisors are often paid commissions on sales, so they are fee-based advisors, making them prey to conflicts of interest.

Whomever you decide to work with, you’ll want to know the details of how they are compensated.

What Types of Services Do Independent Financial Advisors Provide?

What Types of Services Do Independent Financial Advisors Provide?

Independent financial advisor jobs can vary greatly depending on the professional’s background and areas of interest. Some independent advisors pick and choose one service as their specialty. Other independent advisors provide multiple services to help their clients meet their financial goals. This includes:

  1. Investment management
  2. Portfolio analysis
  3.  Retirement planning
  4.  Estate Planning
  5. Tax Planning

Each of these services offers value for high net worth as well as ultra-high net worth individuals. Let’s look at each of these services in more detail.

1. Investment Management

Investment management refers to a collection of services such as asset allocation, portfolio analysis, and stock selection. Advisors who provide such services can be hired to offer assistance occasionally.

Some investment advisors may even be granted control of their client’s portfolio. This means an investment advisor will make investment decisions that are in line with the client’s goals while also providing regular updates on asset performance.

The right investment management strategy can help you improve your portfolio performance and meet your investment goals in a short amount of time. We discuss some portfolio performance-boosting strategies in our special guide.

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2. Portfolio Analysis

Wealthy investors that wish to optimize their portfolio can benefit from portfolio analysis services. An independent financial advisor can study your portfolio in-depth and identify any risks you are vulnerable to.

They can then help you avert or minimize these risks by structuring your portfolio. Such services are beneficial when planning for future investments. We discuss many great portfolio expansion strategies in our special guide.

3. Retirement Planning

Many independent financial advisors also offer retirement planning services. Retirement planning entails a variety of different tasks, each of which helps you achieve a comfortable and sustainable retirement.

An advisor can offer advice on budgeting practices to help you grow your savings before retirement. They can also help you choose investment products that provide passive income. This approach enables you to continue leading a wealthy lifestyle without worrying about your savings ever running out. You can learn more about various wealth protection strategies in our exclusive book The Art of Protecting Ultra-High Net Worth Portfolios and Estates – Strategies For Families Worth $25 Million To $500 Million.

4. Estate Planning

Estate planning is the process of planning wealth distribution following your passing. This typically includes the creation of a will that outlines precisely which beneficiaries and institutions receive your wealth.

Estate planning is vital because it helps your beneficiaries receive the full amount you intend to give them and within a shorter time frame. This service can also help you minimize estate taxes which would otherwise eat into your children’s savings. Please contact us to learn how estate planning can help you.

5. Tax Planning

Tax planning is an often overlooked service that most wealthy investors can benefit from. This refers to the practice of analyzing your finances and assets and restructuring them to be more tax efficient. This helps minimize the amount of taxes you legally owe and makes the process of wealth building much more manageable. Learn about investing in the right tax-efficient assets using our unique guide for investors with $10 million or more.

How Much Do Independent Financial Advisors Charge?

You may be wondering about independent financial advisor fees. Independent financial advisors typically charge clients an hourly rate that could be anywhere between $150 and $400 per hour. In addition to this, they may charge extra for plans. This means you should be aware of the services you require and have a set plan in place before meeting the advisor.

Experienced advisors often charge more than novice ones. However, the professional’s reputation may also influence how much they charge. An advisor with an excellent reputation is likely to be in demand and will therefore charge more for their services.

How to Find an Independent Financial Advisor?

How to Find an Independent Financial Advisor?

  1. Use a Search Engine
  2. Read Reviews
  3. Meet With the Advisor

If you want to know how to find an independent financial advisor, you should follow these steps.

1. Use a Search Engine

You can find a list of financial advisors who practice your area using a simple search on Google or Bing websites. However, you should ensure that your search query relates to independent advisors, as many “tied” advisors often show up in lists.

It may also help to look for advisors who offer the specific type of services you are seeking. So if you require retirement planning services, your search query should be “independent financial advisor retirement planner” or a similar term. The more specific you are during your search, the easier it will be to find a professional who can meet your needs.

Choosing the right independent financial advisor is like maintaining social media. Before you choose an advisor, you need to do market research first by searching on the internet. As geo location data do, you need to make sure that the advisor is accessible and you can meet personally. Similar to social media where you need to pay attention to product development, content profile and content measurement, measure ad performance and ads profile, measure content performance, and so on, you also need to consider the advisor’s credibility, such as what kind of advice they offer, their previous work, their marketing strategy, and much more. You can also use previous clients’ testimonials like audience insights on social media.

2. Read Reviews

Once you have found a handful of independent advisors who offer the services you are seeking, you should check reviews and ratings for each one. Many financial advisors tout themselves as “the best in the business”; however, their past clients may tell you otherwise.

Look for reviews from clients that have a similar financial background to your own. If you see complaints regarding the advisor’s lack of availability, hidden charges, or inadequate knowledge, these are huge red flags that should be taken into account including the conflict of interest you may face in the future.

Besides considering their reviews, you can choose financial advisors by taking a look at their qualification, such as being a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors or NAPFA, Certified Financial Analysts or CFA, Certified Financial Planner or CFP, Certified Public Accountants or CPA, and financial planners or financial advisors who are Personal Finance Specialists or PFS.

3. Meet With the Advisor

Your next step should be to meet with the advisor. The access could be an in-person meeting or a phone meeting. Your goal should be to explain your financial background and goals to them as clearly as possible. The advisor will then tell you about their services and how they can help you meet your future goals.

You can also use this meeting to test the advisor’s financial knowledge and determine if they are genuinely as knowledgeable as they claim to be. You can learn some great questions to ask an independent financial advisor using our special guide.

Is an Independent Financial Advisor Worth It?

Is an Independent Financial Advisor Worth It?

  1. Expert Advice
  2. Meeting Your Goals
  3. Someone You Can Trust

Using an independent financial advisor can be somewhat costly, especially if you seek out their services often. However, if you have a high net worth or an ultra-high net worth, these costs will be minimal compared to the benefits they offer. This includes:

1. Expert Advice

Suppose the financial advisor you have chosen specializes in a particular area. In that case, they will likely possess in-depth knowledge about the service and will be able to tailor it to meet your needs.

It would be best if you turned to one of these advisors for assistance before making an important financial decision or when you are attempting to plan for your future.

2. Meeting Your Goals

Everyone has some financial goal they wish to achieve. You may be interested in saving up a large quantity of wealth for your retirement. Similarly, you might want to invest in a new type of asset you are unfamiliar with.

An independent financial advisor can offer assistance in these areas and guide you through the process in an easy-to-follow manner.

3. Someone You Can Trust

One of the best reasons to choose an independent financial advisor is their independence. As mentioned earlier, these professionals are not beholden to any single institution or company. Therefore they can provide unbiased advice and service to help you meet your goals.

Why Choose a Wealth Manager Over an Independent Financial Advisor?

Why Choose a Wealth Manager Over an Independent Financial Advisor?

  1. Number of Services
  2. Experience With Wealthy Clients
  3. Fee Structure

Independent financial advisors certainly offer a lot of value to wealthy investors. However, we would argue that a wealth manager would be better suited for your needs. Please set up a free appointment with us to learn how our wealth managers can help you.

Let’s look at the various differences between these two types of financial professionals and why a wealth manager may be preferable for someone with a high net worth or an ultra-high net worth.

1. Number of Services

We mentioned that independent financial advisors often choose one or two services to specialize in. Wealth managers, on the other hand, offer a large variety of services. At Pillar Wealth Management, we offer asset allocation, portfolio analysis, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, and many other services.

This means you can receive multiple services from the same individual. This saves time and effort that would otherwise be spent explaining your financial background and goals to numerous advisors.

2. Experience With Wealthy Clients

Wealth managers stand out in the financial world because they offer services mainly for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. Ordinary financial advisors, on the other hand, provide services to a wide variety of clients.

At Pillar Wealth Management, we take on only clients with $5 million to $500 million in liquid investment assets. Our wealth managers have experience dealing with wealthy investors and understand their unique needs and goals. If you want to protect and grow your wealth, a wealth manager could be the right choice for you.

3. Fee Structure

One of the significant drawbacks of using an independent financial advisor is their fee structure. If you need to pay your advisor each time you use their services, you may feel discouraged from reaching out to them.

Wealth managers do not charge an hourly rate for their services. Instead, they charge a fixed annual fee that is based on the value of your assets. This means you can use their services frequently without racking up additional charges.

Five Key Benefits of Independent Financial Advisors

  1. Customized guidance based on your entire financial picture
  2. A relationship that’s responsive, attentive, and personal
  3. A fee structure that is simple and transparent
  4. A high level of expertise to support your complex financial needs
  5. Your money is held by an independent custodian, not the advisor firm

Independent advisory firms, also known as independent registered investment advisors (RIAs), are advisory firms that are not dependent on any funds or other investment products.  They are fiduciaries and are registered with federal and state regulatory bodies. They provide personalized or customized advice to individuals and organizations.

1. Customized guidance based on your entire financial picture

Because they are not tied to particular products, independent financial advisors can recommend a wide range of investments to meet your needs. They can tailor your financial plan to your personal goals.       

2. A relationship that’s responsive, attentive, and personal    

To develop your financial plan and investment portfolio, an independent advisor will take the time to develop a relationship with you, ensuring that they understand your financial situation in detail.

3. A fee structure that is simple and transparent

As fiduciaries, independent advisors adhere to transparent fee structures. To keep it simple, they may charge a fee that is a percentage of the value of the assets they manage for you. This may take the form of a flat annual fee.    

4. A high level of expertise to support your complex financial needs  

In addition to passing the Series 65 exam, most RIAs have either the CFP or CFA designation, among others. These certifications typically require ongoing education to stay current with changes in financial markets.

RIAs are highly qualified to deliver the financial services you may need.

5. Your money is held by an independent custodian, not the advisor firm

RIAs do not have access to your bank accounts. Your investments are held by a third-party custodian such as Charles Schwab.  

Advantages of Independent Financial Advisors        

A major advantage of working with an RIA is that the advisor can offer a broad range of investment products. For example, they will not be tied to a single company to offer you the insurance you may need.

Moreover, as fiduciaries, RIAs are required to work only in their clients’ best interests and put their clients’ interests above their own. Their advice should be unbiased, but in the event of a conflict of interest, they must fully disclose the conflict. 

Disadvantages of Independent Financial Advisors        

Because RIAs do not receive commissions, their fees may be higher and therefore out of reach for some investors.

 Also, while the advice you get is unbiased, there may be better options, unknown to your advisor.

Why Choose Pillar Wealth Management?

If you have between $5 million and $500 million in liquid investment assets, you can’t go wrong by choosing Pillar Wealth Management (all rights reserved) for financial advisory firm services. Pillar WM as a financial advisory firm that offers global and local financial services. Pillar WM’s partners process their clients’ data to help them achieve their goals.

We tailor each plan for our clients, whether they are from New York, San Francisco, or anywhere, to achieve their financial goals in an easy-to-follow and manageable fashion. Please set up an appointment with our wealth managers to get started with better wealth management practices.

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