Common Questions About Financial Planning and Investment Management

People should consider seeking the help of a financial advisor when they have specific financial goals, need assistance with investment strategies, retirement planning, or require guidance on managing their overall financial situation.

Financial advisors provide personalized advice and help individuals make informed decisions based on their unique circumstances.

Whether you are planning for the future, navigating a major life event, or simply looking to improve your financial well-being, a financial advisor can be a valuable resource.

We are first and foremost fiduciaries to our clients. Our only objective is helping our clients achieve their goals through planning, growth and risk management.

We do this through discretionary asset management, which means we implement investment selection and buying and selling strategies in the context of everyday asset management decisions for our clients. TThis frees the client/advisor conversation from being overly focused on investment selection. It broadens the dialog to focus on other vital areas of financial management and planning. 

We also develop and manage much of our client investment strategies in house, which can have the effect of reducing overall investment cost headwinds in our client portfolios.

This fiduciary, discretionary asset management, attention to cost management combined with a relentless focus on strong client relationships and personalized advice is what sets us apart from other firms.

When you choose to invest with Oak Partners, it's not just about your finances. We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our clients. We strive to be more than just an investment company.

Much of our time is spent collaborating with other professionals on behalf of our clients (Tax, Legal, Insurance). We work as a team with our clients to do everything we can to help them pursue their personal goals.

As an investment fiduciary, partner, and mentor, we are dedicated to helping you work towards your financial goals while responsibly managing your assets and building your wealth.

Both roles provide financial guidance, but the scope of work is different. A financial advisor typically focuses on specific planning needs, while a wealth manager takes a comprehensive, integrated approach across a client's overall financial picture.

A financial advisor generally helps with planning needs such as retirement, insurance, college savings, and investment recommendations. Advisors work with clients across a wide range of asset levels and often address questions as they come up.

A wealth manager coordinates across investments, tax planning, estate planning, charitable giving, and the client's other professional relationships such as CPAs and attorneys. Wealth management is typically suited to clients whose financial situation involves several areas that benefit from ongoing coordination.

The right fit depends on your situation. For a specific planning question, a financial advisor is often a good starting point. For a financial picture that needs multiple areas to work together over time, wealth management is designed for that kind of coordination.

At Oak Partners, we believe that effective portfolio management and planning begins with a strong relationship. We understand that every individual and family's investment goals are unique, and we take each client's personal experience into account.

Before providing advice, we make it a priority to listen and understand your needs. The personal financial success of each client is our only priority.

Before we dive into managing your investment portfolio, we always start by having a thoughtful and in-depth conversation about your personal financial goals and history.

It's important for us to understand your financial habits, personal goals, and experience with financial concepts. This helps us provide advice that is tailored specifically to you.

It's helpful to bring some important documents and information. This may include:

- Bank statements

- Mortgage information

- Paystubs

- Investment account statements

- Pension information

- Tax returns

- Any other relevant financial documents

It's also a good idea to come prepared with a list of your financial goals and any questions you may have. This way, your team of advisors can better understand your situation and provide personalized guidance.

Our firm works primarily on an asset management fee basis. This means the accounts managed by our firm, if appropriate, will be charged a management fee on a quarterly basis. This fee provides the revenue for planning, investment management and concierge-level service and practical financial advice about everyday decisions our clients may be facing.

Very occasionally, in order to complete a detailed project outside the realm of our typical wealth management services we work on an hourly retainer.

Our advisory fees are clearly outlined and discussed in writing before we begin working together. We are happy to walk through our fee structure in more detail at any time.

To preserve your wealth, it’s important to employ a number of comprehensive strategies.  Financial markets can be very effective at growing wealth in the United States; however,  we believe the risks presented by markets also require a program of active management. This includes not only buying but also selling when appropriate.  Diversification can be a powerful tool, and it also helps to maintain a perspective that is aligned with the timing of your goals.   Keeping these factors in mind, perhaps the most important component of risk management is regularly reviewing your financial plan and investments to make sure they are aligned. Additionally, having a well-rounded risk management plan, including insurance protections, can help safeguard your assets. It’s always a good idea to consult with a wealth manager who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific circumstances and goals.