Question 1

What makes IIPS a good choice for me?

Accepted Answer

If you are looking for an independent financial planning firm with the core value of servicing current clients first before looking for new ones then we are maybe a great fit for you.  If you don’t want a big box brand firm with rookie financial advisors, then we may be a good fit for you.  If you want to work with a veteran-owned local small business owner who spends money in the community and supports local charities, then we would be a good fit for you. If you would like a planning-centric approach rather than someone just selling you another investment product, then we would be a good fit for you.  If you want a firm that answers your calls or calls back in a reasonable amount of time and won’t leave you on hold for two hours, then we would be a good option for you.

Question 2

What if I don’t meet your (dollar) minimum, will you still help me?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer fee for plan, hourly financial coaching, and modular planning solutions. Click here for more information. Sometimes, for those facing very difficult circumstances we will provide services free of charge (pro bono).

Question 3

What is a CFP® and Fiduciary?

Accepted Answer

“For more than 30 years, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification has been the standard of excellence for financial planners. CFP® professionals have met extensive training and experience requirements and commit to CFP Board's ethical standards that require them to put their clients' interests first.  CFP® professionals take a holistic, personalized approach to bring all the pieces of your financial life together. As part of the CFP® certification, CFP® professionals also have made a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice to a client. This means they have agreed to put your best interests first, so they can provide you confidence today and a secure tomorrow.”- Financial Planning Board of Standards

“A fiduciary is someone who manages money or property for someone else. When you are named a fiduciary, you are required by law to manage the person’s money and property for their benefit, not yours. “ - Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Question 4

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Generally, we charge a fee for the investment that we manage. The advisory fee is usually 1.2% per year and assessed quarterly. Some custom strategies are a little higher. This does not include the underlying expenses of the investments such as expense ratios. If a client has $250,000 or more in one of our advisory accounts, then we include all the financial planning costs in this fee as well. Otherwise, a client may engage on a fee for plan basis and the plan will cost $1,000-$1,500 depending on complexity.

Question 5

What is IIPS's investment philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Many of our clients are invested in one of our Multi Manager – Equally Weighted Balanced Fund portfolios.  Each of these portfolios will hold 3-5 highly rated balanced mutual funds.  Multi Manager to avoid the risk of being wrong with only one manager’s asset allocation decisions.  Equally weighted so each manager receives the same dollar amount.  Each fund is designed to be diversified within the equity range for the risk the client needs or desires to take with his or her investments. For example, we have these strategies available in three styles:

Conservative = 30-50% Equity     
Balanced = 50-70% Equity
Growth = 70-85% Equity

Investment Selection Criteria for these Balanced Mutual Funds are 4- & 5-Star Morningstar Rated Mutual Funds / ETF’s over 3, 5 and 10 years. Outperformed or in line with that of their category and index.  Demonstrated low to average risk over 3, 5 and 10 years.  Demonstrated average to high returns over 3, 5, and 10 years.  We also utilize individually managed exchange traded and stock basket accounts where these portfolios happen to be the best fit for the client, such as in their taxable accounts.

Question 6

What precautions did you take during COVID?

Accepted Answer

For the first several months of COVID our employees worked remotely while David worked at the office. The introductory calls, discovery meetings were conducted via phone or Zoom and plan implementation meetings were offered in office based upon the clients discretion while utilizing the proper health and safety precautions.

Frequently Asked Questions