Question 1

What is your educational background?

Accepted Answer

Robert Horowitz, Founder:
MBA, Finance and Marketing, Columbia Business School, New York.
B.A. in Political Philosophy, Trinity College, Connecticut.

Question 2

What are your financial planning credentials/designations and affiliations?

Accepted Answer

Robert Horowitz, Founder:
NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor, www.napfa.org. An elite group of less than 1,000 fee-based financial advisors. Membership requires a signed Oath of Fiduciary Duty to clients, and participation in a strenuous continuing education requirement.   CFA – Chartered Financial Analyst, www.cfainstitute.org. Chartered Financial Analysts must pass a series of three rigorous examinations taken in sequential levels over several years. A copy of our Form ADV, Part 2 is available for download here.   Member, Financial Planning Association – Members must adhere to a code of ethics that demands honesty, objectivity, competence and confidentiality. Robert is also a board member emeritus of the FPA of San Francisco. www.fpanet.org

Question 3

How long have you been offering financial planning services?

Accepted Answer

Founder Robert Horowitz has been offering financial planning services for more than 15 years.

Question 4

Do you have clients who might be willing to speak with me about your services?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 5

Will you provide me with references from other professionals?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 6

Have you ever been cited by a professional or regulatory governing body for disciplinary reasons?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 7

Describe your financial planning work experience or attach your resume.

Accepted Answer

This web site is the best reflection of our financial experience. A formal resume is available upon request.

Question 8

Business Practice:  How many clients do you work with?

Accepted Answer

50-60, generally.

Question 9

Are you currently engaged in any other business, either as a sole proprietor, partner, officer, employee, trustee, agent or otherwise?"

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 10

Will you or an associate of yours work with me?

Accepted Answer

Robert Horowitz will work directly with you.

Question 11

Will you sign the Fiduciary Oath below?

Accepted Answer

Yes.   The advisor shall exercise his/her best efforts to act in good faith and in the best interests of the client. The advisor shall provide written disclosure to the client prior to the engagement of the advisor, and thereafter throughout the term of the engagement, of any conflicts of interest which will or reasonably may compromise the impartiality or independence of the advisor.   The advisor, or any party in which the advisor has a financial interest, does not receive any compensation or other remuneration that is contingent on any client’s purchase or sale of a financial product. The advisor does not receive a fee or other compensation from another party based on the referral of a client or the client’s business.

Question 12

Do you have a business continuity plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A copy of our BCP is available on request.

Question 13

Do you take commissions?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not receive any commissions whatsoever

Question 14

How is your firm compensated and how is your compensation calculated?

Accepted Answer

Fee-Only.
In general fees are:
1% on 1st $1,000,000
0.75% on next $1,000,000
0.5% on amounts over $2,000,000

Question 15

Do you have an agreement describing your compensation and services that will be provided in advance of the engagement?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 16

Do you have a minimum fee?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Normally the minimum fee is $8,000 annually

Question 17

Does any member of your firm act as a general partner, participate in, or receive compensation from investments you may recommend to me?"

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 18

Do you receive referral fees from attorneys, accountants, insurance professionals, mortgage brokers or others?"

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 19

Do you receive on-going income from any of the mutual funds that you recommend in the form of “12(b)1” fees, “trailing” commissions, or other continuing payouts?"

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 20

What are your services?

Accepted Answer

Financial planners provide a range of services. It is important to match client needs with services provided.   We offer the following financial advice:   Goal setting
Cash management & budgeting
Tax planning
Investment review & planning
Estate planning
Insurance needs in the area of life, disability, long-term care, health and property/casualty
Education funding
Retirement planning   Important Note: Robert Horowitz Wealth Management does not do taxes nor provide specific tax, insurance or estate planning advice. We refer clients to qualified professionals for specific advice in these areas. Consult your legal or tax professional.

Question 21

Do you provide a comprehensive written analysis of my financial situation and recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 22

Does your financial planning service include recommendations for specific investments or investment products?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 23

Do you offer assistance with implementation with the plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 24

Do you offer continuous, on-going advice regarding my financial affairs, including advice on non-investment related financial issues?"

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 25

Do you take custody of, or have access to my assets?"

Accepted Answer

No. However, fees are generally deducted directly from account pursuant to our agreement.

Question 26

If you were to provide me on-going investment advisory services, do you require “discretionary” trading authority over my investment accounts?"

Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 27

How often will we meet?

Accepted Answer

As often as appropriate. Some clients like to meet quarterly while others prefer to communicate by phone and email and not meet face to face more than once a year. It really depends on what works best for you.