FAQ

A Fiduciary is someone who stands in special relation of trust confidence, and/or legal responsibility. ERISA defines a Fiduciary as “anyone who gives investment advice for a fee or other compensation… or has any authority responsibility to do so.” In essence, a fiduciary adviser is someone who, for compensation, acts in the best interests of his or her clients. The Fiduciary Standard of Care requires that a financial adviser act solely in the client’s best interest when offering personalized financial advice. We believe in- and follow- the Fiduciary Standard of Care when addressing any of our clients’ concerns.

No. Our role is to help you live the best life you can with the resources you have. Individuals with more money or assets tend to have more choices available to them. However, this alone does not guarantee success. For this reason, We have implemented tiered financial planning services to help address the most common issues faced by people at different wealth levels.

Simonet Financial Group, LLC was formed in 2013 as Simonet Wealth Management. Our Founding Partner’s experience in business & finance spans nearly a decade. In addition, SFG employs the world-class resources and expertise of our custodians, managers, and partners when providing our integrated financial planning solution.

Yes. Certain financial instruments are only available on a commission basis. When these investments or insurance products are appropriate to recommend, we provide full disclosure as to their cost structure and any inherent conflicts of interest.

A custodian is a financial institution that holds a customer’s securities for safekeeping so as to minimize the risk of their theft or loss. A custodian can hold securities and other assets in electronic or physical form. Simonet Financial Group, LLC does not operate as custodian and does not take custody of our clients’ assets. Client assets are held directly at the fund company, with third party trusts, or with a custodian.

Pershing is a subsidiary of Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, which is the nation’s oldest continuously operating bank and one of the world’s leading providers of securities services. Pershing, LLC custodies brokerage accounts, including accounts within IRAs.

A broker-dealer helps supervise and facilitate the trading that converts your cash into invested assets, those assets are actually held by a custodian.

Bill Simonet currently holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professional and the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designations.

We don’t restrict clients by level of wealth, age, or any other arbitrary restrictions. However, our business and retail services model tends to appeal to individuals that share the following characteristics:Working professional or business owner, Family & values oriented, Self-motivated and coachable, Accountable to their goals, Open to new or different ideas, Focused on long-term results, Willing & able to take action when necessary, and Embraces technology.

We don’t have an annual limit for client intake. However, we do limit the number of active clients per adviser based on the scope and complexity of their needs. As a general rule, advisers are limited to 150 active client relationships as a time.

No. Each adviser’s disciplinary history can be checked here *link to broker check website*. CFP® Professionals’ history can be viewed here *link to CFP “find a CFP professional” website*.

Review our About Our Fees Page

We take a holistic and process-oriented approach to financial planning. Our Process page outlines our 5-step process to helping clients identify, prioritize, implement, and monitor their financial goals over time.

Simonet Financial Group, LLC operates primarily on a retainer or asset-based fee structure. We are Fee-Only Registered Investment Adviser.

Our planning services include the following areas: Financial Position Statement, Cash flow & Budget Analysis, Financial Risk, Retirement & College Funding, Distribution Strategies, Investment performance, Tax planning coordination, Benefits & executive compensation, Business planning services, Estate planning & wealth Transfer.

Each planning service has a communication schedule built in. At a minimum we will communicate with all clients annually.

We partner with some of the best money managers in the industry. Our portfolio solutions range from conservative to aggressive based on each client’s risk profile, time horizon, & investment experience. For retirement accounts, we primarily use passive mutual fund portfolio strategies. For all other accounts, we integrate active, passive, and tax-aware investment strategy on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis.

Simonet Financial Group, LLC primarily uses mutual funds & ETFs for our clients’ portfolios. However, other investment options are available based on client needs and adviser licensing.

Fees are dependent on the type of service requested. Please review the links located on Our Services page for more information.

A managed account is a fee-based investment management product that a client to hire an investment adviser Representative or money manager who decides how to invest the assets.

A basis point, or bp, is a common unit of measure for interest rates and other percentages in finance. One basis point- written as “1 bp”- is 1/100th of 1 percent (0.01%). 100 basis points- written as 100 bps- equals 1 percent (100 bps=1.00%). Basis points are used to simplify calculations and syntax. For example: If client “A” with an investment portfolio valued at $250,000 pays an annual fee of 100 bps, that client would pay $2500 per year (250,000*0.01=2500). If client “B” with an investment portfolio of $500,000 pays an annual fee of 100bps on the first $250,000, then pays an annual fee of 85bps on the next $250,000, then client “B” would pay $4,625 per year: (250,000*0.01) + (250,000*0.85) (2500 + 2125) $4625

Fees listed in our services are advisor fees only. They do not include any mutual fund expense fees, transaction fees, or any other fees or expenses related to planning or implementing recommendations, except where explicitly listed. Net fees listed on the investment policy statement. Client is responsible for all fees (except where prohibited or excluded).

Simonet Financial Group, LLC does not currently offer or sell any insurance products.

We are independent and are not required to sell nor offer any one product over another. There are no proprietary insurance products.

No. We do not accept commissions.

We provide consultative services, planning, & investment management services to businesses from start-up to $10 million in gross revenue.

Our Business Services start at $5500 and are adjusted based on scope and complexity. Visit our “business Services” for more details.

In some cases, our fees may deductible. Please consult your tax professional.

We do not provide business plan writing services at this time. However, we can provide tools, resources, & guidance to help our clients complete an effective business plan.

Exit planning is the process of developing an “exit strategy” for an owner or key person within a business. Succession planning is the process of identifying internal or external parties (usually family members) to take over a business in the event of death, disability, retirement, or other factors. Simonet Financial Group Provides Exit & Succession planning to our business clients.

Generational Wealth Transfer for estates valued above $5 million. Requires coordination with an estate planning attorney.

Generational Wealth Transfer strategies for estates valued below $5 million.

Strategies to help maximize business value for a future liquidation event such as third party sale, partner buy-out, or M&A transaction.

Business continuity strategies involving the transition from one owner to the next through inheritance, transfer, incapacity, or compulsion.

Expense tracking for income, savings, & investment purposes. Household Budget creation and maintenance.

Gifting strategies to reduce the potential impact of gift or income taxation. Lifetime gifting to charitable organizations or individuals.

Mineral rights, illiquid assets, Passive income sources, & Real Estate investments.

Sequence of returns and liquidation of taxable, nontaxable, & qualified accounts to minimize tax impact and maximize account value.

Private and higher education funding strategies. FAFSA completion

Employee incentive stock option or bonus plans. Non-qualified deferred compensation, Key person insurance & other benefits.

Net worth, Wealth tracker, beneficiary summary, and other relevant statements based on individual or household financial condition.

Strategies to address premature death, Longevity, & loss income due to disability or personal health issues.

Oversight of investment assets managed directly or through affiliated professional money managers.

Funding & liquidation strategies to maintain the quality of life for an individual or family into and through retirement.

Business expense tracking for income, savings, investment, & tax reduction purposes. Simonet Financial Group does not provide tax advice, bookkeeping, or accounting services at this time.

Owner & employee retirement funding strategies to potentially maximize business value, as well as maintain the quality of life for a business owner into and through retirement.

Benefits protection strategies for families with special-needs children. Personal independence & financial security strategies for seniors & elderly dependents.

Tax efficient investment strategies and coordination with client CPA.

Funding and management of assets related to established trusts. Coordination with trust companies and attorneys in the creation of trusts.