Are you a Fiduciary?
Marietta Wealth serves as a Fiduciary on our client’s accounts. This is the highest standard of care in the advisory relationship. Why? We are obligated, both legally and ethically, to do what is in our client’s best interest.
Is your firm a Fee-Only or a Fee-Based Investment Advisor?
Marietta Wealth is a fee-only financial advisor. We believe in complete transparency in the client/advisor relationship. We only receive payment from our clients and not through selling third-party products. Some financial advisory firms are fee based and sell products like insurance, real estate partnerships, mortgages and investment banking services.
How do you invest client accounts?
Marietta Wealth primarily uses individual common stocks and exchange-traded funds for a client’s accounts. We focus on high-quality individual common stocks with minimal turnover in the portfolio. However, we routinely review our equity holdings and take advantage of any buying opportunities. In particular, we look for a security that may decrease in value and become a compelling opportunity to add to our current position.
How do I start to work with Marietta Wealth?
It’s easy to become a Marietta Wealth client. You sign an Investment Advisory Agreement, and we then prepare the necessary forms to establish accounts at the custodian.
Who is the primary custodian for client assets?
We use the following custodians to hold client assets: Charles Schwab, Interactive Brokers and TD Ameritrade.
What happens to my existing investments if I begin working with Marietta Wealth?
The custodians we work with can hold a wide variety of investments. Therefore, we are able to review a client’s existing holdings to determine investments that should be retained or sold. During this review process, we pay special attention to tax implications and client preferences about existing investments.
What is the difference between a CFP® and other financial planners?
To obtain the CFP® certification, one has to meet requirements for both education and experience. The educational requirement consists of coursework in the major areas of personal financial planning and passing a rigorous exam.
Are you a Fiduciary?
Marietta Wealth serves as a Fiduciary on our client’s accounts. This is the highest standard of care in the advisory relationship. Why? We are obligated, both legally and ethically, to do what is in our client’s best interest.
Can I hire Marietta Wealth to develop a comprehensive financial plan?
We can provide one-time financial planning services for a flat or hourly fee.
Do I need life, disability, or long-term care insurance?
We review insurance needs of our clients through the financial planning process. If a client requires a certain form of insurance, we work with insurance professionals to accomplish the goal.
Do you receive referral fees from recommending the services of other financial professionals (ex: estate attorneys, insurance commissions)?
No, we don’t receive any compensation from outside sources. The only compensation we receive is from our clients.
Can you help me determine my Social Security options?
Yes, we can provide a detailed analysis of various Social Security claiming strategies.
Are you a Fiduciary?
Marietta Wealth can serve as an ERISA 3(21) or 3(38) fiduciary.
Do you regularly meet with Trustees/Investment Committee?
Yes, we can structure a meeting with the investment committee to provide regular feedback on investment performance and plan design. These meetings help the plan trustees comply with their fiduciary duties.
Will you advise participants directly?
We can provide employee education in a group setting and offer advice directly to individual participants.
Do you only work with one record keeper?
No, we are independent and can work with numerous record keepers. We are not bound to a specific firm.
Will you do a cost review of our current plan?
Yes, we can do a benchmarking study to provide a detailed analysis of the current plan’s design and costs.
How do I pay for your services?
The company sponsoring the retirement plan can pay Marietta Wealth directly or have our fee paid from plan assets.