“Are you a fiduciary?” is a frequent question that we are asked when a prospect is interviewing us…
Long before the word became synonymous with good financial and prudent advice, we had advertised on our web site that we were proud to consider ourselves fiduciaries. We hold ourselves to high standards and it is our philosophy for doing good business. We consider the ethical relationship of trust the highest compliment that we can receive.
For those of us qualified as CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, we are required to take several continued education credits annually to keep our licenses. With so much to learn and continuous changes in our industry, we find that we are always over our required credits.
Providing financial advice isn’t just about knowing the laws, it’s also knowing the client; we try to walk in your shoes. We act in your best interest and place your interests before our own. Before we make a recommendation, we ask ourselves: “Would I do this if I were in their financial position or at a certain stage in their life?” or “Are there other extenuating circumstances that I haven’t thought of yet?”. If we feel we have a conflict of interest, we try to resolve it or recommend a trusted professional that could serve better. If we do not know the correct answer, we acknowledge that fact and ask for time to research the answer or to contact someone who might have more expertise in that subject.
Another way we hold ourselves accountable as a fiduciary is by being a fee-only firm. White Raven Financial only accepts fees as our only method of compensation. This is a significant difference to a fee-based firm which charges both fees and collects commissions. All of our fees are upfront and transparent. There are no hidden charges in the custodian accounts and we do not accept gifts from mutual fund companies or centers of influence. If we do refer someone to an insurance agent, mortgage representative, a lawyer or other professional and receive a gift as a thank you, the gift is passed on to the client that was referred.
Thank you,
The team at White Raven Financial
Advisory services are offered through White Raven Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor in the state of Washington.
All written content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to provide any tax or legal advice or provide the basis for any financial decisions.
The information contained herein is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities, products or services mentioned, and no offers or sales will be made in jurisdictions in which the offer or sale of these securities, products or services is not qualified or otherwise exempt from regulation.
The information contained in this material have been derived from sources believed to be reliable but is not guaranteed as to accuracy and completeness and does not purport to be a complete analysis of the materials discussed.
