Broker Check

Frequently Asked Questions

What Separates Us From Other Financial Advisors?

  • Every client is unique - You bring your own distinct goals and dreams, your own needs and willingness to accept risk. Every detail of every one of our clients count and we tailor our advice and how we manage your investments to you. There is nothing cookie cutter about our approach.
  • We adapt to your dynamic life - Your goals, your risk appetite and your needs will change. Your financial plan should change with you. We sit down with you on a regular basis to ensure our advice and the management of your investments aligns to your goals.
  • We get tax - As CPAs we know tax and how to manage your investments and wealth in a tax-efficient manner.  We believe tax-wise investing adds significant value to what we do for our clients.  
  • We see the whole picture - Things beyond market investments can and do impact your financial life.  We use your financial plan to inform how we invest for you.

What is a Registered Investment Advisor or RIA?

A Registered Investment Advisor is a firm engaged in the investment advisory business and registered either with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities authorities. Springsteel Investment Advisors is registered with the State of Arizona Securities Division. A Registered Investment Advisor is governed by The Investment Advisers Act of 1940. A Registered Investment Advisor has a fiduciary duty to always act in the clients' best interests.

What Does the PFS Designation Mean?

The PFS designation is only given to CPAs and requires a high level of education, experience and the successful completion of an exam. A CPA/PFS provides a combination of tax expertise and comprehensive knowledge of financial planning. In addition to the fiduciary responsibility of a Registered Investment Advisor, PFS credential holders are also guided by the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and Statement of Responsibility in a PFP (or Professional Financial Planning) Practice.

What Does Being a Fiduciary Mean?

In the context of a Registered Investment Advisor, or RIA, the term fiduciary means that the RIA must place the interests of its clients ahead of its own and fulfill critical fiduciary duties such as exposing all conflicts of interest. RIAs are hired to provide investment advice which can be in the form of investment recommendations, financial planning, or investment management. The RIA works for the client and and owes a fiduciary duty to the client.  Being a fiduciary is at the core of everything we do.

What is Our Investment Minimum?

For assets we manage, our investment minimum is $500,000 but, as a independent advisor, we have discretion to accept amounts smaller than $500,000. Aggregate accounts are considered on the whole when defining this minimum.

What Are Our Fees?

Our fees for assets under management are tiered, starting at 1.00% per year on the first $500,000 we manage with lower tiers for higher amounts. We charge our fee each quarter in arrears based on assets under management at the end of the quarter. We also provide other fee based services such as financial planning that is separate from assets under management at an hourly rate of $300.