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7 Questions to Ask When Choosing an Investment Advisor

By Dr. Daniel Levine

February 27, 2013

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FAQs

What is a SAAM™?

SAAM™ is a Strategically Aligned Asset Manager. The SAAM™ model is a new process that delivers a better investment experience for clients. Synergy Asset Management is a Strategically Aligned Asset Manager (SAAM™). We align with top financial advisors all over the country to deliver portfolios built with reasonable returns, with reasonable risk, and over reasonable time periods. The investment management process is integrated with the financial planning process.

The SAAM™ model has two parts. Your financial advisor acts as your Chief Wealth Officer and Synergy Asset Manager acts as your Chief Investment Officer. Together, the SAAM™ model delivers vast integrated resources to create a unique fiduciary approach to wealth management.

What type of clients do you serve?

Our clients are you and your independent fee-only financial advisor who work with:

Individual investors
Business owners
Corporate executives and other professionals
Affluent families and their legacies
Corporations
401(k) and other retirement plans

What services do you offer individual investors?

As a Strategically Aligned Asset Manager (SAAM™), we partner with your financial advisor to deliver:

Portfolio management and investment review
Estate planning
Real estate planning
Tax planning
Insurance planning

Your team may work closely with other professionals in specialized areas including tax and legal.

What services do you offer business owners?

As a Strategically Aligned Asset Manager (SAAM™), we partner with your financial advisor to deliver:

Portfolio management and investment review
Business planning
Employee benefits
401ks and pension plans
Tax planning strategies
Business valuation
Business succession planning

Your team may work closely with other professionals in specialized areas including tax and legal.

How do you communicate with clients?

We communicate with clients via their financial advisor as well as directly through our corporate outreach campaigns.

Our network of financial advisors will tailor communication to the needs of the client. You and your advisor will mutually agree to the frequency of your financial reviews. They are always available for consultation by phone or email. Periodic communication such as a quarterly newsletter, webinars, and other items of interest are also delivered to clients by email or hard copy. Account information is available on a 24/7 basis through custodian provided access.

What size of accounts do you manage?

We manage portfolios and relationships valued from less than $1 million to over $40 million.

Where are the assets held?

Assets are held at various custodians, separate and independent from Synergy Asset Management, LLC and your financial advisor. Most advisors primarily use TD Ameritrade and Charles Schwab, but also may recommend others.

What is a custodian and why should one be used?

A custodian is a specialized and independent financial institution responsible for safeguarding your financial assets.

Do you utilize individual securities in investment portfolios?

Yes! Your financial advisor will take you through a fiduciary process helping you balance your willingness and ability to take risks. Your advisor will recommend how to best position your portfolio and will deliver an investment policy statement (IPS) if appropriate. Their recommendation may include, but is not limited to:

Individual stocks for Growth, Value, Blend, and Income.
Individual bonds strategies
ETF’s and or mutual funds
Alternative investments like private funds and real estate

Do you offer specialized investment themes?

Yes! We offer both faith-based and Environmental Social Governance (ESG) strategies. Additionally, we can customize a separate account strategy to meet specific investing requirements.

What is a CFA and why should one be utilized?

A CFA, or Chartered Financial Analyst, is a professional credential bestowed by the CFA Institute on financial and investment professionals who have completed its program of study, passed all three levels of its examinations over multiple years, and have met other professional and experience requirements. Fewer than 1 in 5 candidates becomes a CFA charter holder. It takes an average of over 1,000 hours of rigorous study, along with four years of professional experience, to earn the distinction of being called a Chartered Financial Analyst and all CFA charter holders are required to annually attest to the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.

Has your network of preferred advisors adopted firms’ values?

Yes, most of our preferred advisors, in addition to Synergy, have adopted guiding principles.

Client Focus: Achieving investment success and exceeding expectations for each client is our top priority. We demonstrate our commitment:

By clarifying understanding of and documenting the goals and objectives of each client.
Through excellent communication – proactive and responsive – with every client.
By developing strong partnerships with other professionals who are also serving the client and providing education and support to enhance client knowledge.
Through the faithful execution of the investment strategy in each portfolio in accordance with the client’s specific objectives.
Through a relentless focus on operational efficiency and excellence, including timely and accurate production of all client reports.

Commitment to Integrity and Excellence: Our reputation is critical to our long-term success. Every team member is a key part of our team and is committed to performing their role with integrity and professionalism. We strive every day for excellence in service and investment results. We are committed to compliance with all regulatory requirements and the standards of practices of the various professional organizations of which we are members.

Teamwork: Open communication and collaboration form a common bond for achievement and creating a pleasant work environment. Everyone is rewarded for their contribution to the team and the firm’s success. We value and reward results impacting the investment process and performance and client satisfaction.

Growth and Profitability: We believe that our Strategically Aligned Asset Management (SAAM™) process will prosper because of our commitment to excellence in serving our clients. The long-term profitable growth of the firms provides opportunities for all team members to grow professionally and enjoy greater rewards. Being profitable will allow us to better serve our clients.

Have you established a Code of Ethics?

Synergy Asset Management, LLC has adopted the following Code of Ethics and we encourage our network of preferred financial advisors to do the same.

Code of Ethics: The Company’s Code of Ethics (“Code”) has been adopted to promote and maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct in the investment management profession. All employees of the firm are expected to subscribe and adhere to the Code, which serves to assure public confidence in the Company and the services it offers. All employees of the firm acknowledge, in writing, receipt of the Code and any amendments.

Each employee shall:

Always place the financial interests of the client first. Employees shall recommend only those investments that are suitable for a client, based on that client’s particular circumstances and situation. As a fiduciary, an advisor has an affirmative duty of utmost good faith to act solely in the best interests of the client and to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts, particularly where the advisor’s interests may conflict with the clients.
Disclose fully to clients the services provided and compensation received. All financial relationships, direct or indirect, or any potential conflicts of interest shall be fully disclosed on a timely basis. All client inquiries shall be answered promptly, completely, and truthfully.
Be subject to a review and monitoring procedure for personal trading activity, including initial public offerings and limited offerings, periodically after a pre-clearance procedure. Client portfolios will always be given preference for execution and allocation on either sales or purchases. The Company has adopted an Insider Trading Policy Statement and a Personal Trading Policy Statement, which are reviewed on an annual and quarterly basis respectively and signed by each employee on an annual and quarterly basis respectively.
Maintain the confidentiality of all information entrusted by the client to the fullest extent permitted by law as outlined in the Company’s Notice of Privacy Practices.
Comply fully with all statutory and regulatory requirements affecting the delivery of investment advisory services to clients. Strive to establish and maintain excellence personally and among colleagues in all aspects of investment management.
Maintain the highest standard of personal and professional conduct.
Promptly report any violation of the Code to the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer.

The firm recognizes the CFA Institutes’ Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and the Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS), however, currently, we do not claim GIPS compliance.

Moreover, the firm recognizes all other Codes of Ethics and Professional Responsibility from the other various credentialing boards and/ or professional associations its members belong to.

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Synergy Asset Management, LLC

©Synergy Asset Management, LLC
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Phone

206-386-5455

Office

13231 SE 36th St, Suite 215
Bellevue, WA 98006

Synergy Asset Management is a SEC registered investment advisory firm.

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