Discover a new way – work with an Independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
As an RIA, we are legally bound to work in your best interest. Under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, registered investment advisors are held to a fiduciary standard of care. By law, we must ensure that each investment recommendation we make is based on your best interest. Should a conflict of interest should arise, we are required by law to let you know. We’re also required to have a written code of ethics that governs our actions and fully discloses how we are compensated.
We work under fee based compensation – NO COMMISSIONS. It’s important for you as an investor to understand how your advisor is compensated. Most independent RIA’s charge a flat fee or are fee based on assets they manage for you. This straightforward system is easy to understand, fully disclosed to you in writing, and provides a strong incentive for us to grow your assets. You never have to worry about conflicts of interests (commissions) influencing the construction of our portfolios. We have Pure Independence from all outside influences.
We operate as an independent business owner. As an entrepreneur, we have a vested interest in building long-term relationships with satisfied clients. We have relationships with a wide network of professionals that have expertise in a variety of areas including accounting, estate planning and insurance. These networks allow us to design a comprehensive strategy to meet your individual goals and objectives.
As an independent RIA, we work with well recognized third-party custodians. This means that your assets are held by an independent third-party custodian such as Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. You will receive regular statements detailing every transaction in your account, in addition to the reports that we generate using our own proprietary systems. This means that Ballheim Financial LLC never takes custody of your money and that in the event of death or insolvency, your money is always protected at a leading well recognized third-party custodian.
We are required to maintain public business records. We must file a Form ADV with the Securities and Exchange Commission that describes exactly how we do business and how we are compensated. Form ADV consists of two parts. Part 1 contains information about our business regarding ownership and regulatory matters. Part 2, including two sections known as the ADV brochure and brochure supplement, outlines our services, fees, background, and strategies in addition to information on the specific advisor within our firm providing financial advice. Before you hire someone to be your advisor, always ask for, and carefully read both parts of Form ADV. You can find a copy of an investment advisor’s most recent Form ADV on the SEC’s Investment Advisor Public Disclosure website at www.advisorinfo.sec.gov.