Fee-Only Fiduciary Columbus Ohio

Fee-Only Fiduciary Columbus Ohio

Transparency, Objectivity, and Comprehensive Financial Planning

As a true, fee-only fiduciary wealth management firm in Columbus, Ohio, it’s our legal and moral obligation to do what is best for you!

We act as your financial advocate, your “personal CFO,” even if it negatively affects our revenue. All brokerage and insurance licenses have been discarded and regulatory mandates bar us from accepting commissions. This ensures you receive unbiased, genuine financial planning and investment advice that is transparent, objective, and comprehensive.

Not All Financial Advisors Are Created Equal

While the term “financial advisor” is broadly used, not all financial advisors are created equal. Only a select group, known as fiduciary financial advisors, are legally bound to act in the client’s best interest, and most financial advisors are not true fiduciaries! Trusting your finances to a fiduciary ensures your money and financial decisions are managed responsibly for the sole purpose of providing you with realistic wealth-building strategies and the long-term financial security you deserve.

Not All Financial Advisors Are Created Equal
A Trusted Companion to Guide You Toward Financial Freedom

A Trusted Companion to Guide You Toward Financial Freedom

If there’s one word that means trust when it comes to financial planning, it is“fiduciary.”

A fiduciary financial advisor is your reliable companion in your journey toward financial independence. They prioritize your financial interests, tailor advice to your specific goals, and guide you through complex financial decisions. Their unbiased approach cultivates trust and security, making them a crucial ally in your financial journey.

Libertas Benefits

Unbiased Financial, Retirement, Insurance, Tax, Investment, and Estate Planning Advice

Unbiased financial, retirement, insurance, tax, investment, and estate planning advice

22+ Years of Professional Financial Management Experience

22+ Years of Professional Financial Management Experience

Advanced Education in Retirement Planning, Business Transition Planning, and Investment Management

Advanced education in retirement planning, business transition planning, and investment management

Ethical and Legal Obligations to Always Act in Your Best Interest
Ethical and Legal Obligations to Always Act in Your Best Interest
Registered as a Fee-Only fiduciary through the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers (NAPFA)
Registered as a Fee-Only fiduciary through the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers (NAPFA)
Fee-only advisors who do not have the conflicts of interest that arise from commissions

Fee-only advisors who do not have the conflicts of interest that arise from commissions

Setting the Standard for Fee-Only Financial Advisors

Setting the Standard for Fee-Only Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is the country’s leading professional association of true fiduciary (Fee-Only) financial advisors – highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

The history of NAPFA began in 1983 when a group of fiduciary financial advisors simply wanted to serve their clients without muddling the relationship with commissions. Since then, they have developed high standards in the field with only 4,600 practitioners nationwide.

Speak with a NAPFA-registered, “true fiduciary” at Libertas Wealth Management Group today to learn about how we can help you achieve your financial goals, including retirement income strategies, investment management, business transition planning, estate planning, and more.

A Four-Step Process to Financial Security

Our tailored four-step process enables us to craft a holistic financial plan that addresses your specific needs. From retirement planning and tax strategies, insurance considerations, and investment portfolio management to business transition, and estate planning, we ensure that every aspect of your wealth management plan is developed, tested, and taken care of, empowering you to focus on what matters most.

Introduction and
Discovery

Your journey to financial freedom starts with Step 1, an introduction call where we get to know each other, assess your complete financial situation, determine your financial goals and unique circumstances, and outline the path forward together.

Education and
Financial Planning

In Step 2, we explain the role of a fiduciary financial advisor and how that greatly benefits you. Our financial advisors share an overview of our investment management services and investment strategies. This session lays the foundation for an insightful, collaborative financial planning journey.

Put Your Plan
Into Action

In this crucial step, we put your tailored financial plan into action, considering your complete financial health, including your income, lifestyle plans, expenses, income sources like SSI and pensions, and liquid retirement assets. We know that thorough vetting upfront makes for the successful fulfillment of your long-term goals.

Progress
Reviews

Every day, our financial planners monitor your assets and portfolio as we continue to provide tailored investment advice on topics like asset allocation, cash flow, income tax planning and tax preparation, retirement strategies, business transition, college planning, insurance strategies, and estate planning. We utilize data models to project your financial future, adjust for inflation, and evaluate whether you’re on track to achieve your goals and secure the lifestyle and retirement you deserve.

Top 5 Questions to Ask When Searching for a Financial Advisor

Are you looking for a financial advisor but not sure where to start? Download our article, "Top 5 Questions to Ask When Searching for a Financial Advisor." It provides essential insights to guide your search and ensure you make an informed decision. Equip yourself with the right questions to find the advisor who best fits your needs. Start your journey towards financial security with confidence today!

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Top 5 Questions to Ask When Searching for a Financial Advisor

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fee-only fiduciary financial planning and investment services company?

A fee-only fiduciary financial planning and investment services company is a firm that provides advanced, comprehensive financial, retirement, tax, insurance, and estate planning, as well as investment management services to its clients. The phrase “fee-only” means they charge a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of assets managed and do not earn commissions from product sales. As fiduciaries, they are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients, even if it means generating less revenue for the firm.

What type of training does the investment staff at a fee-only fiduciary firm typically have?

Investment professionals at fee-only fiduciary firms are often CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, or they have obtained the Series 65 securities license. Some advisors (such as ours) have also completed other securities licenses and professional designations, such as the Series 7, Series 63, Series 24, Series 31, Life & Insurance licenses, as well as the Chartered Retirement Plan Counselor (CRPC) Chartered Market Technician (CMT) and the Certified Financial Technician (CFTe) designations.

These certifications require rigorous training and continuing education in areas such as retirement income planning, estate planning, tax planning, cash flow management, risk management, and advanced investment management via technical analysis.

How is a fiduciary different from a stockbroker?

A fiduciary, such as a registered investment adviser, is obligated to act in the client's best interests, while commissions on product sales might incentivize a stockbroker. This difference can impact the investment advice given and the financial strategies recommended.

How is the fee structure different for fiduciaries compared to other financial advisors?

Fiduciaries operate on a fee-only basis, charging for their services based on a flat fee, an hourly rate, and/or a percentage of the assets they manage. This differs from “fee-based” advisors, who can also charge flat fees, hourly rates, or a percentage of the assets they manage - but they can also charge a commission on financial products, which creates huge conflicts of interest. In addition to all of the fee-based firms in the country (which just happen to be most of the firms you’ve likely heard of), insurance companies and banks can also earn commissions on financial products.

Can fiduciaries be trusted with my financial life?

As fiduciaries, financial advisors are legally obligated to act in the client's best interests. This means they must provide unbiased, authentic investment advice and create financial plans that align with the client's objectives. However, clients should still do their research, check credentials and references, and ensure they feel comfortable with the advisor in question. This is why we always recommend checking out www.NAPFA.org to interview 2 - 3 fiduciary financial advisors near you.

How do fiduciaries handle retirement planning and portfolio management?

Fiduciaries offer comprehensive financial planning services, which include retirement planning and portfolio management. They consider factors such as the client's risk tolerance, financial goals, and unique circumstances to create a personalized financial plan. Once the financial plan is completed, it is then implemented with a variety of fiduciary-driven investment vehicles and strategies that align with the client’s objectives stated in the plan.

How is this Fiduciary Law enforced?

It should go without saying that not all firms are "true fiduciaries." To be a true fiduciary, an advisor must allow any commission-based licenses to lapse. The reason for this is that, with these licenses, the advisor can still legally charge a commission on financial products.
When an advisor decides to become a true fiduciary, they can register with NAPFA, all while dropping their FINRA brokerage licenses (such as the Series 7, 6, 24, and 63) as well as all insurance (such as life, health, and variable annuity) licenses.

So, the way the fiduciary law is enforced is through the elimination of licenses that make it possible to charge a commission and create such conflicts of interest. Take away the licenses, and you take away the commissions and corresponding conflicts. To learn more about how fiduciaries are held to a higher standard that benefits their clients, contact the team at Libertas Wealth Management Group today.