FAQ
FAQ
Like our financial plans, SWM is built firmly on sound principles & philosophy.
About The Firm
About the client relationship
About Investment Management
About The Firm
Wealth Management incorporates financial planning, risk management, investment & portfolio management, estate planning, taxation, and other financial services into one holistic process to address an individual or institutions financial needs. Simply put, wealth management brings your entire financial life into focus so that you can make informed decisions.
A Fiduciary is someone who stands in special relation of trust confidence, and/or legal responsibility. ERISA defines a Fiduciary as “anyone who gives investment advice for a fee or other compensation… or has any authority responsibility to do so.” In essence, a fiduciary advisor is someone who, for compensation, acts in the best interests of his or her clients. The Fiduciary Standard of Care requires that a financial advisor act solely in the client’s best interest when offering personalized financial advice. We believe in- and follow- the Fiduciary Standard of Care when addressing any of our clients’ concerns.
Do I need to have a lot of money or assets?
No. Our role is to help you live the best life you can with the resources you have. Individuals with more money or assets tend to have more choices available to them. However, this alone does not guarantee success. For this reason, We have implemented tiered financial planning services to help address the most common issues faced by people at different wealth levels.
How long have you been in business?
Simonet Financial Group, LLC was formed in 2013 as Simonet Wealth Management. Our Founding Partner’s experience in business & finance spans nearly a decade. In addition, SFG employs the world-class resources and expertise of our custodians, managers, and partners when providing our integrated financial planning solution.
About our partners
Can anyone else beside me benefit from the direct financial advice you give me?
Yes. Certain financial instruments are only available on a commission basis. When these investments or insurance products are appropriate to recommend, we provide full disclosure as to their cost structure and any inherent conflicts of interest.
A custodian is a financial institution that holds a customer’s securities for safekeeping so as to minimize the risk of their theft or loss. A custodian can hold securities and other assets in electronic or physical form. Simonet Financial Group, LLC does not operate as custodian and does not take custody of our clients’ assets. Client assets are held directly at the fund company, with third party trusts, or with a custodian.
Pershing is a subsidiary of Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, which is the nation’s oldest continuously operating bank and one of the world’s leading providers of securities services. Pershing, LLC custodies brokerage accounts, including accounts within IRAs.
Who is Sowell management Services?
A broker-dealer helps supervise and facilitate the trading that converts your cash into invested assets, those assets are actually held by a custodian.
About the client relationship
Bill Simonet currently holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designations.
What types of clients do you typically work with?
We don’t restrict clients by level of wealth, age, or any other arbitrary restrictions. However, our business and retail services model tends to appeal to individuals that share the following characteristics:Working professional or business owner, Family & values oriented, Self-motivated and coachable, Accountable to their goals, Open to new or different ideas, Focused on long-term results, Willing & able to take action when necessary, and Embraces technology.
How many clients do you accept per year?
We don’t have an annual limit for client intake. However, we do limit the number of active clients per advisor based on the scope and complexity of their needs. As a general rule, advisors are limited to 150 active client relationships as a time.
No. Each advisor’s disciplinary history can be checked here *link to broker check website*. CFP® Professionals’ history can be viewed here *link to CFP “find a CFP professional” website*.
What Conflicts of interest do you have?
Review our About Our Fees Page
About our financial planning
What is your approach to financial planning?
We take a holistic and process-oriented approach to financial planning. Our Process page outlines our 5-step process to helping clients identify, prioritize, implement, and monitor their financial goals over time.
Simonet Financial Group, LLC operates primarily on a retainer or asset-based fee structure. We are Fee-Only Registered Investment Adviser
What planning areas do you cover?
Our planning services include the following areas: Financial Position Statement, Cash flow & Budget Analysis, Financial Risk, Retirement & College Funding, Distribution Strategies, Investment performance, Tax planning coordination, Benefits & executive compensation, Business planning services, Estate planning & wealth Transfer
How often will we communicate?
Each planning service has a communication schedule built in. At a minimum we will communicate with all clients annually.
About Investment Management
What is your investment strategy?
We partner with some of the best money managers in the industry. Our portfolio solutions range from conservative to aggressive based on each client’s risk profile, time horizon, & investment experience. For retirement accounts, we primarily use passive mutual fund portfolio strategies. For all other accounts, we integrate active, passive, and tax-aware investment strategy on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis.
What investment products do you offer?
Simonet Financial Group, LLC primarily uses mutual funds & ETFs for our clients’ portfolios. However, other investment options are available based on client needs and advisor licensing.
Do you charge investment fees, commissions or both?
Fees are dependent on the type of service requested. Please review the links located on Our Services page for more information.
A managed account is a fee-based investment management product that a client to hire an investment advisor Representative or money manager who decides how to invest the assets.
A basis point, or bp, is a common unit of measure for interest rates and other percentages in finance. One basis point- written as "1 bp"- is 1/100th of 1 percent (0.01%). 100 basis points- written as 100 bps- equals 1 percent (100 bps=1.00%). Basis points are used to simplify calculations and syntax. For example: If client “A” with an investment portfolio valued at $250,000 pays an annual fee of 100 bps, that client would pay $2500 per year (250,000*0.01=2500). If client “B” with an investment portfolio of $500,000 pays an annual fee of 100bps on the first $250,000, then pays an annual fee of 85bps on the next $250,000, then client “B” would pay $4,625 per year: (250,000*0.01) + (250,000*0.85) (2500 + 2125) $4625
Are there any other fees that I should be aware of?
Fees listed in our services are advisor fees only. They do not include any mutual fund expense fees, transaction fees, or any other fees or expenses related to planning or implementing recommendations, except where explicitly listed. Net fees listed on the investment policy statement. Client is responsible for all fees (except where prohibited or excluded).
About Insurance
What insurance products do you offer?
Simonet Financial Group, LLC does not currently offer or sell any insurance products.
Are you required to sell any particular products?
We are independent and are not required to sell nor offer any one product over another. There are no proprietary insurance products.
Can you discount fees based on any commissions earned?
No. We do not accept commissions.
About Business Planning
How do you work with businesses?
We provide consultative services, planning, & investment management services to businesses from start-up to $10 million in gross revenue.
Our Business Services start at $5500 and are adjusted based on scope and complexity. Visit our “business Services” for more details.
Are your consulting fees tax deductible?
In some cases, our fees may deductible. Please consult your tax professional.
Can you write my business plan?
We do not provide business plan writing services at this time. However, we can provide tools, resources, & guidance to help our clients complete an effective business plan.
What is exit/succession planning?
Exit planning is the process of developing an “exit strategy” for an owner or key person within a business. Succession planning is the process of identifying internal or external parties (usually family members) to take over a business in the event of death, disability, retirement, or other factors. Simonet Wealth Management Provides Exit & Succession planning to our business clients.
