Trusted and Transparent Advisory Relationship
Since the beginning, we have been a fee-only registered investment advisor. Fiduciary duty is at the core of everything we do – always putting our client’s best interest first – every time. We are trusted and transparent advisors.
We work closely with each client to understand what matters most to them and identify their specific long-term goals. We create a customized financial plan and a diversified investment strategy that is aligned with the client’s risk tolerance and targeted to reaching their goals. We collaborate to routinely review and make changes to the plan as life circumstances and objectives change.
The key to a successful financial goal is to integrate all aspects of the planning spectrum, such as investment management, tax, retirement, estate and charitable planning into a well thought out comprehensive and coordinated plan. By integrating the complete process and making decisions based on the entire array of information, we can provide a coherent and well thought out plan.
Our Story
DWR Wealth Management was founded in 2005 with the goal of building a team of experts to help clients achieve their financial goals. The firm was created to fill a need expressed by clients of Dunham & Associates CPAs to provide unbiased and objective advice that could only be offered through a fee-based business model. As fiduciaries, our team provides investment management and financial planning services to individuals, families, and business owners and professionals from both small business and corporate entities.
Traditionally, the financial services industry offers investment products through a commissioned based sales channel. Our vision was to create a firm that offered independent investment and financial planning advice that is transparent and impartial by the inherent conflicts offered by the traditional commissioned based firms. As fee only advisors, the client’s interest is at the fore front and not driven by a potential product sales commission.
We take on a fiduciary role with our clients. This allows for an enhanced client relationship and incorporates a strategy inclusive of both a tax perspective and investment point of view. This approach provides the client a well thought out plan for achieving both short and long term goals.
Today, we have expanded our services to include providing and managing company retirement plans, both defined contribution and benefit plans. Looking forward, DWR Wealth Management is committed to strategically growing the firm by enhancing our services and client experience through industry leading technology, enhanced financial strategies, and delivering the highest level of service and professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Is the significance of the term Registered Investment Advisor?
It indicates that a financial advisor adheres to the industry’s most demanding practice requirements, including Fee-Only compensation, and meets rigorous standards and continuing education. We become team players with our clients and offer a level of fiduciary responsibility and care that must be exercised on behalf of each client.
What Is A Fee-Only Advisor?
A Fee-Only advisor is one who, in all circumstances, is compensated solely by the client, with neither the advisor nor any related party receiving compensation that is contingent on the purchase or sale of a financial product. The investment advisor may not receive commissions, rebates, awards, finder’s fees, bonuses or any form of compensation from others as a result of a client’s implementation of the individual’s planning recommendations.
Why is Fee-Only Compensation of Critical Importance?
An investment advisor who has a financial stake in the course of action that he/she recommends to a client faces an inherent conflict of interest and cannot be considered objective and unbiased. This is true even if the advisor truly believes that he/she has only the best interests of the client at heart. Unfortunately, the vast majority of investment/financial advisors in the United States are sellers of financial products. Some or all of their income may be dependent upon their ability to steer their clients to a limited number of the thousands of financial products available today. (Putting aside the conflict-of-interest factor, this limiting of choices, in and of itself, often is enough to impact the quality of the investment advice.) These advisors include stock-brokers, analysts, insurance agents, accountants and attorneys, as well as financial planners. Many of their clients are not aware of their advisors’ dependence on selling products, or do not recognize its significance.