Work With Rick
Work with Rick
If you’re looking for a financial advisor there’s a possibility we could be a good fit. We do things a little differently so before contacting me please read the short description of who I typically serve and how I work. If you think we’d be a good fit then feel free to get in touch for a complimentary, no obligation initial interview.
Who I serve:
I’m humbled to say that the core clients who followed me from corporate America are still with me today and we’ve been working together for 15 years on average. While each client is unique there is a common theme shared among them that might help you determine if you would also benefit from my services:
- Most clients are either retired or within 10 years of retirement and see the value in having professional guidance and a written retirement plan.
- Most clients are conservative and tax sensitive investors that place high importance in the safety of their investment plan and less emphasis on high risk efforts to generate maximum return.
- My clients are long term investors committed to having a stable, low risk, and diversified retirement portfolio that will provide them a growing income for the rest of their lives.
- Most clients are successful business owners and professionals, family oriented, and community involved with life purpose that far exceeds just money and personal belongings. In our meetings we talk about way more than money!
How I work:
I am a Fee-Only financial advisor that proudly acts as a Fiduciary for my clients. This means I have a legal obligation to put clients interests before my own in all recommendations I make. I also am the founder of an insurance agency dedicated to providing insured and tax free solutions for retirement. I serve most clients in a dual capacity as both investment and insurance advisor. I’m happy to work with my clients lawyers and tax advisors but I also have great success introducing my clients to local lawyers and tax advisors…often located downstairs or down the hall from my San Rafael office.
Each client receives a custom financial and investment management plan geared towards their unique financial goals and objectives. We build these plans around life events such as retirement, wealth transfer, business succession planning, and asset protection. My specific area of expertise is in retirement income planning, although I have a great team with expertise in estate planning, tax planning, insurance planning, investment management, business succession, and risk management…among others.
I communicate regularly with clients through technology and although I LOVE to talk on the phone, email is my preferred communication medium and always the best way to get my prompt attention. My experience is that it is virtually impossible for financial advisors and investment managers to effectively their jobs if they are on the phone or in meetings all day, every day. As such, I work on a very disciplined schedule with time blocks for client meetings, business management tasks, and financial planning. If you feel you need more than a quick email exchange to get a question answered or problem resolved, you can always book a meeting with me by viewing my calendar online. That being said, I almost always answer my own phone and I try to return calls within an hour. Almost 90% of my meetings are either on the phone or by web conference as I work in 10 states. Of course, I always welcome you to visit my office in San Rafael if you are in the area.
I have scheduled account reviews with each client twice per year and provide unlimited email support between meetings. Some of my clients are in the Bay Area but many are from all over the United States and we work together virtually. Under this arrangement we use web conferencing, phone, and email to regularly communicate. Working with a financial advisor without having to drive to their office is actually very easy and convenient. Meetings can be done from the comfort of your home or office while we still see each other over the computer screen while simultaneously being able to review financial matters.
All clients have 24/7 secure online access to their accounts. My firm invests heavily in technology to provide clients with real time account alerts and monitoring to ensure all planning is done at the time it is needed, rather than the reactionary way many advisors provide support.
What I Charge:
I charge a simple, low, flat fee for financial planning. In almost all cases the planning fee is just $600 and comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee or you pay nothing. For clients that want ongoing help managing their investments fees are based on a percentage of assets under management. For asset management we strive to keep costs as low as possible, so clients can keep more of their return (the way it should be). If you’d like complete details of my firms fee schedule just use the contact form on my site and I’m happy to provide an estimate for your situation.
We manage accounts using an independent custodian and we never (ever) take custody of client assets. This is important as it protects investors from fraud and theft. Most of our clients assets are held with either TD Ameritrade, Trust Company of America, and FOLIO Institutional though we have the ability to work with others (Schwab, Fidelity and Pershing) if the situation calls for it.
On the insurance side of the business we place client funds directly with top-rated insurance carriers again so we never have custody of client assets. We do receive commissions on all insurance transactions and we always make sure to disclose all pertinent details in writing; both for the regulators and our clients best interest. Typically, assets at insurance carriers do not count in the calculation of fees for assets under management.
What I Do For Clients (all over the USA):
Most importantly I feel that clients and their advisors need to get along and work as a team. Good financial planning and investment management doesn’t work overnight. It takes time, patience, collaboration, and trust.
I’ve done the best I can at structuring my work and services in a manner that gives clients personal attention and financial management support. I know there is always room for improvement and always strive to get better at what I do each day. My uncompromising promise is to take the thousands of hours of research I do each year and leverage it to benefit those who place their trust with me and my firm.
Due to advancements in technology I’m happy to work with investors all over the United States (as briefly mentioned above). We have a wonderful web-based virtual meeting program that allows me to work with clients in a very personal manner despite being hundreds or even thousands of miles apart. If you’ve never thought about working with an advisor virtually – I think you’d be pleasantly surprised how easy, efficient, and enjoyable it can be. In most cases, I still get on an airplane and meet with clients to open initial account paperwork. That may be unnecessary at some point but I think it makes everyone more comfortable. If you live in Northern California where my firm has offices I’m more than happy to meet you personally as well. I have growing clusters of clients in Southern California, Colorado, and Oklahoma and I am available for meetings there quarterly.
Could we work Together?
If after reading above you’d like to have a conversation about working together I’d be happy to invest an hour of my time getting to know you better, your financial goals, and help determine if there’s value I can provide in your life. I do all of my initial appointments via the phone and/or web conference. To set up an initial meeting, have your questions answered, and to see if we could be a good fit – just use the “Book Appointment” button below.
Thanks for checking out this tab and learning more about who I serve and how we work together.
Best,
Rick