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"Plan for the future. People who stay in the present will be in the past."
-Abraham Lincoln
Since our inception in 1982, we have provided objective, comprehensive financial planning for individuals, businesses, and associations on an hourly basis. Each member of our professional staff has earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM[1] certification, Certified Employee Benefits Specialist®[2], Chartered Financial Analyst®[3] Charterholder or Certified Public Accountant designation.
Our disciplined approach to financial planning will guide clients through the prioritization of their short and long-term goals and the process of financial planning. Whether discussing individual issues, such as retirement cash flow and estate planning, or developing an integrated plan, our experienced planners assist clients in achieving their goals.
Individuals
A comprehensive financial plan usually includes:
In addition, our experience covers a broad spectrum of other personal financial planning areas including tuition planning, cash flow management, rental property analysis, fringe benefits and compensation planning.
Businesses
For businesses, our services focus on the development of a strategic business plan and employee benefits and usually include:
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establishing financial goals and objectives
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financial analysis
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review of management structure
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marketing and sales analysis
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executive compensation
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retirement plan review, including 401(k) plans
Associations
For associations, our services center on investment management consulting and the employee education and plan option performance evaluation requirements under Section 404C of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Specific services include:
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development of investment policy statements
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selection of investment options
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performance comparison to benchmarks
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employee education
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assisting trustees with fiduciary compliance
Our financial planning services are provided on a fee-only basis. That means that we do not receive compensation based on the purchase or sale of financial products. We are compensated solely by the client based upon the services that we perform. These services are comprehensive but flexible, based upon each client’s specific needs.
Our investment philosophy stresses a diversified portfolio that effectively manages risk. West Financial has always been a balanced manager incorporating individual bonds, individual stocks and equity mutual funds in our investment guidelines. Each client’s particular allocation is tailored to their financial goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. Our strong investment guidelines and discipline have protected our clients in down markets while providing broad participation in up markets.
West Financial Services, Inc. is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. We assist associations, corporations, foundations, trusts, pension plans and high net worth individuals with their portfolio management. We accomplish this by developing diversified portfolios of equity securities, fixed income securities and a variety of cash management instruments. We vary this mix according to investment conditions and tailor-make each portfolio or portfolio model according to the individual client’s risk tolerance, time horizon and specific goals.
For equities, we generally include both individual stocks and no-load equity mutual funds in client portfolios. Our emphasis is for the longer term where we manage the allocation between growth and value styles while maintaining the appropriate diversification between large, mid-size, and small capitalization stocks, international equities (e.g., Europe, Asia, Latin America) and specific industry sectors such as finance, health care and technology.
For the fixed income allocation, we build a foundation of high quality individual bonds and ladder the maturities over a short to intermediate time period so that bonds mature each year. This strategy provides money to reinvest as conditions change in the financial markets. The bonds we purchase include U.S. Treasury, quasi-governmental, municipal and high-grade corporate securities.
We currently manage assets approaching $700,000,000, primarily through our network of institutional programs. We provide a broad array of investment products and services not customarily available to retail investors. Below is a chart that summarizes a number of the products and services that add further value to the client relationship with West Financial Services, Inc.:
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Institutional Discounts |
Block Trading |
Private Research |
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Prime Broker |
Fund Manager Access |
Institutional Custody |
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New Issues |
Customized Performance |
Exclusive Mutual Funds |
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Internet Access |
Load Waivers |
Automated Processing |
Since our beginning, we have provided investment services on a percentage fee basis and have never received product commissions or any other compensation which could affect our investment decisions and objectivity. In addition, our large asset base receives institutional services and discounts unavailable to retail investors. Our management fee is a tiered fee schedule and ranges from one percent (1%) per annum to as low as one-quarter of one percent (.25%) per annum.
Finally, we take great pride in providing superior service that is responsive to our clients’ needs. We will be judged on our investment performance, but a long-term relationship requires that we emphasize customer service to truly exceed client expectations.
We offer personalized consulting services tailored to meet the unique needs of high net worth individuals and business owners. Every relationship is customized to the individual and family, and all advice is coordinated with the client’s other professionals. Our advice is independent of any product influence, and strict privacy and confidentiality is observed. A low client-to-consultant ratio assures ease of contact and personalized service.
Consulting services can include, but are not limited to:
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Asset Allocation
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Business Planning
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Comprehensive Financial Planning
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Education Planning
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Estate Planning
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Identification and Analysis of New Business Opportunities
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Securities Research
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Family Legacy / Philanthropic Planning
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Retirement Planning
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Succession Planning for Business and Family
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Tax Planning
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Venture Analysis
[1] CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM are certification marks owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete the CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
[2] CEBS® and Certified Employee Benefits Specialist® are certification marks of the International Foundation of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists.
[3] CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are trademarks of the CFA Institute.
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