| Question | Answer |
| Is SGA a fiduciary? | Absolutely! We are an SEC-registered investment advisor (RIA) and must adhere to its fiduciary standard. Read SEC’s Investment Adviser Codes of Ethics. |
| How is SEC’s fiduciary standard different than DoL’s fiduciary rule? | SEC’s fiduciary standard applies to all RIAs and we must act in your best interests. DOL’s fiduciary rule, however, only applies to retirement advice, such as 401(k) and IRA. |
| Why fee-only investment advisors (IAs)? | In a fee-only investment advisor model, the advisor’s revenue comes exclusively from the fees charged to the clients in exchange for the services provided. This model minimizes conflicts of interest, as advisors are not compelled to buy and sell certain products in order to receive commission. |
| Is SGA the right fit for me? | Our advisors strive first to know and understand you and your interests before investing any of your money. We believe that the closer our relationship with you, the better we are equipped to understand your goals and objectives so that we can most effectively manage your assets. Learn more about SGA. |
| What types of clients does SGA take? |
Our clients are primarily high net worth individuals and families. We also advise small business retirement/profit-sharing plans, personal and family trusts, and family foundations.
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| How are IAs different than brokers? | IAs are compensated only by fees for the services they provide and subject to the fiduciary standards. Brokers, on the other hand, are paid based on commissions from the trades they make or products they sell. They are thus subject to conflicts of interests and may not put the investor’s needs first. |
| How does SGA work with my other advisors (Attorneys, CPAs, and other professionals)? | We love and have experience working with these professionals. We have built strong relationships with our clients through these advisors by mutually benefiting from each others’ expertise. |
| Can I still manage some of my investments on my own? | Absolutely! We can set up separate accounts for the assets we manage, and you can continue to manage the other assets as you choose. To learn more about using an investment advisor, click here. |
| Where is the SGA office located? | We are just right off of I-205 SE Sunnybrook exit in Clackamas, Oregon, a suburb of Portland. Easy freeway access and free parking make it an ideal location! Get Directions. |
| Which custodian should I use? | We primarily use Fidelity and Charles Schwab. To see which one might be the right fit for you, talk to us about it and check out their websites (fidelity.com and schwab.com). |
| Is there a minimum portfolio value? | While we have a minimum client portfolio value of $500,000, taking on clients who understand our business philosophy is more important to us. |
