Services
Acanthus Associates works with individuals, entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized businesses in providing many varied financial solutions.
Providing the appropriate strategy for the client's situation after fully understanding their desires and concerns is the common thread in all of the plans that we develop.
We work with individuals helping them address their financial concerns with strategic planning. From protecting one’s family in the event of an unexpected loss to providing guidance towards achieving a savings goal, we help families understand their options and make informed decisions. Financial plans are provided on a flat fee basis determined by the scope of the planning engagement. Areas of concern that can be addressed include:
· Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
· Retirement Planning
· Retirement Transitioning
· College Funding
· Other Goal Funding
· Asset Allocation
· Risk Management Analysis
· Estate Planning
As a result of the financial planning process or simply as a separate engagement, we work with the client to develop an appropriate Investment Policy Statement based on a thorough risk tolerance analysis. We hand select and monitor the investments used on both a quantitative and qualitative basis and rebalance as needs and momentum dictate. Our portfolios may include individual stocks and bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, certificates of deposit, unit investment trusts, commodities, real estate, managed futures and private equity; based on the client’s risk tolerance assessment, financial sophistication and account size.
We utilize a wrap-fee arrangement in order to avoid the potential conflict inherent in commissions-based investing. A wrap-fee is a percentage fee that is assessed quarterly based on the account value. While most investments will waive any initial commissions paid to advisors, many will still pay ongoing trail commissions on invested assets. We view this as “double-dipping” and, if these commissions are received on assets held in a wrap-free account, we will deduct an equal amount from the fees assessed on that account.
We are experienced in developing financial strategies for entrepreneurs, small to mid-sized businesses and their owners. To help implement these strategies, we offer a variety of financial services and products including:
· Qualified and non-qualified retirement plan design and implementation
· Group insurance benefit programs
· Voluntary employee benefit programs
· Executive deferred compensation and disability programs
· Business valuation and succession planning
· Personal estate and retirement planning for business owners
For our clients looking for a comprehensive suite of financial services we offer our Concierge Level Advanced Services Suite, Acanthus CLASS. The program begins with the development of a comprehensive financial plan, but where the single project engagement ends with the delivery of the plan, CLASS members experience ongoing, comprehensive and detailed attention to their financial fitness. In addition to your initial financial plan you will receive:
· In-depth annual reviews of your progress relative to the plan
· Revisions to the plan for any changes in your financial situation
· Revisions to the plan necessitated by changes to laws or tax code
· Personal advice for any other financial concerns as they come up (up to 8 hours per quarter)
· Priority access with calls returned within 24 hours, even on weekends
· Up to 75% discount on asset management fees
· Annual state and federal tax return prepared by one of our partner CPAs*
· Initial Estate and Trust documents prepared by one of our partner Attorneys*
· Comprehensive Property, Casualty and Liability portfolio review
· Comprehensive Survivorship, Disability and Long Term Care risk analysis
· Personal web portal – access all your accounts in one place and review your financial plan at will
· Secure digital vault to store copies of your important documents
· Personal online forum to communicate with your advisory team, Planner, Accountant, Attorney, etc
Fees for Acanthus CLASS are billed quarterly in advance. Any investment management to be done is billed separately based on a discounted percentage charge assessed on assets under management.
*Tax return charges and legal document fees covered up to $1,000 each. More complex tax or legal situations may require additional billing. Acanthus Associates hand selects our professional partners based on expertise, experience and ethics. While we believe in our professional partners, Acanthus Associates accepts no liability in the delivery of services rendered by affiliated professionals.