STEP ONE: Organize
We start with an initial in-person interview. This enables you to get to know our firm and our staff of well-trained fiduciary advisors, and for us to learn about your particular needs, goals and risk tolerance. We’ll take into consideration a wide variety of factors, including your age, current portfolio holdings and asset size, income (both now and in the future), time horizon, and much more.
STEP TWO: Formalize
We then prepare a detailed and objective financial plan, identifying the investment returns you need over time to make your financial engine run smoothly and how much risk (if any) you really need to experience along the way. This entire process forms the basis for our long-term relationship with you.
We will also recommend a cost-effective, prudent investment strategy that targets the return necessary to give you the greatest likelihood of meeting your financial goals on schedule. These include a combination of risk-accepting strategies, risk-managed strategies, and hybrid strategies, depending on your needs.
STEP THREE: Implement
Once you and your advisor agree on a suitable path forward, we will set the plan in motion by opening new accounts through a third-party custodian (typically Charles Schwab Institutional) and preparing the paperwork to seamlessly and securely transfer assets to your new accounts. We will then convert your existing assets to your chosen strategy, carefully considering tax implications (if any).
STEP FOUR: Monitor
Every good plan needs to be monitored, updated, and occasionally adjusted. That’s why every one of our private clients is offered an in-person quarterly portfolio review with their Appleton Group advisor. We’ll update you on your personal performance, risk-exposure, projected income, taxes and current market conditions. We’ll also review progress toward your goals, and recommend any adjustments that might be prudent.
We intentionally keep our advisors’ practices small in size to ensure that quality time with you is never an afterthought.
