Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

A fiduciary is ethically and legally obligated to act in another person’s best interest. In the financial world, a fiduciary customarily manages investment positions to best fit a client’s circumstances, and in doing so, is obligated to avoid conflicts of interest. A financial advisor that is not a fiduciary could make decisions that are not in your best interests. It is important to verify fiduciary status because not all licensed, financial professionals are regulated as fiduciaries. JWA is a Fiduciary.

Investment advisers may be primarily regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or by one or more state securities authorities. Each state has one securities regulatory authority, but some investment advisers may be regulated by more than one state. Unlicensed, unregistered persons commit much of the investment fraud in the United States, so you should always check to see whether an investment adviser is registered with the SEC or your home state before making a decision to invest with them. To find out if your investment professional is licensed and registered, you can use the free Check Out Your Investment Professional search tool available on Investor.gov. JWA is a Registered Investment Advisor.

Visit adviserinfo.sec.gov

The CFA designation is globally recognized and attests to a charterholder’s success in a rigorous and comprehensive study program in the field of investment management and research analysis and denotes having years of relevant professional experience. JWA’s Founder and Managing Partner has earned the right to use the CFA designation here.

JWA may be a good fit if you’re a high-earning professional, business owner, or family seeking more than investment management.

Our clients value coordinated guidance across investments, cash flow, tax planning, risk management, and estate and legacy considerations. They also want an advisor who will educate them, challenge their thinking, and collaborate with them—not simply manage a portfolio.

We work best with people who are ready to engage in the process, communicate openly, and make thoughtful, long-term decisions. If you value candid advice, highly personalized attention, and a relationship built around your entire financial life, JWA may be the right fit.

Building wealth takes commitment from both sides. We intentionally choose to work with people who are ready to tackle their financial needs, goals, and fears head-on. We’re committed to those willing to explore new ways of working and dig deeply to pursue what they want whether it’s growing wealth that endures or managing peak earnings, bonuses, windfalls. If the above resonates and you are seeking a coach by your side along your financial journey, we’re ready to get started.

Yes. As part of our overall service, we offer tax planning. We assist in planning for a person’s individual needs and circumstances while coordinating with your other professionals including your CPA. At JWA, we understand the landscape well (markets, financial planning, tax impacts, life changes) so count on us to guide you through your journey keeping an eye on the essentials and outcomes desired.

Good question; bottom line, some do and some don’t, and some offer other services in varying degrees.

At JWA, in addition to investment management, we work with our clients on financial management including balance sheet & cash flow optimization, tax efficiency considerations, college planning, trust & estate design, and contingency planning, in addition to other focus areas based on your unique needs, goals, and objectives.

Building a financial plan is essential. A plan is your blueprint, laying out your steps to success. We will work with you on all key areas of financial planning including balance sheet and cash flow optimization, investment, and tax planning. At JWA we see all this as an inherent part of our relationship with each client. We also engage in more nuanced planning such as college, insurance, and estate, as applicable. We focus on your whole picture, helping to explain the “why,” not just telling you “what’s” best.

JWA does not impose a strict account minimum. However, we typically provide investment management services to clients who designate at least $500,000 in assets for our management.

In limited circumstances, we may consider relationships below that amount based on the overall facts and circumstances, including anticipated earning capacity or future assets, related accounts, account composition, or an existing relationship with JWA. Each exception is evaluated individually and remains at JWA’s discretion.

Ultimately, fit involves more than an account balance. JWA is best suited for clients seeking a comprehensive, ongoing advisory relationship that coordinates their investments with the rest of their financial lives.

JWA is a fee-only fiduciary. Fee-only means the only person who pays us is our client; we do not accept payments from any other source. We offer two fee-for-service plans:

Planning/Advice Subscription: We believe the path to financial success should start early. We recognize this can also be a time of limited financial resources. Therefore, JWA accommodates with an ongoing financial planning and coaching subscription plan for a fee of only 2% of the principal's expected annual income (depending on the complexity of the relationship); billed in equal monthly installments. Investment Management is available as part of the subscription; no additional fee. The amount of cash assets under management does not matter in this subscription model. Our goal is to make working together affordable while allowing for ease of entry.

Full-Service Wealth Management: For larger clients with more assets to invest, we offer unlimited planning, financial advisory, coaching, investment strategy, and asset management. We charge 1.5% on the first $1MM of assets managed, 1% on the next $9MM, ratably thereafter.

Yes. JWA recommends clients engage the custody, brokerage and clearing services of Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. (Schwab). JWA is not affiliated with Schwab in any way. Schwab provides JWA with access to institutional trading and custody services typically not available to retail investors. Having Schwab as part of your team can provide you with an important authenticity and safety check.

At JWA our goal is to maximize your goals while controlling the controllable -- drag on taxes, and one’s behavioral risk. Our approach to investing follows four key tenets: 1) goal-based planning and investment structure are more important than a focus on beating “the market,” 2) follow academic evidence that supports tilting portfolios toward profitable, small and value-oriented businesses, 3) purchase securities that an investor would be willing to hold over time, and 4) while most investors need equity returns to support long-term goals, at JWA we believe planning and mindset coaching are even more important to long-term success.

Yes, we constantly search for the strongest investment opportunities for our clients. That said, we are rigorous in our search as we have not found convincing long-term statistical evidence that private investments outperform what one can achieve by focusing on high-quality, publicly traded businesses.

The sooner in the process, the better. This will save you valuable time, help you clarify the many questions you undoubtedly have, and get your financial house in order as soon as possible. Have your "interview" questions ready. Know your needs and goals, and be prepared to articulate them. Ask to speak with the Founder or a senior partner. When you speak to someone in charge, consider whether you feel comfortable, whether the person is forthcoming and knowledgeable, and whether you get the sense that you both can work together easily.

JWA prides itself on being a boutique firm practicing a concierge approach to wealth advisory. The proof of our senior-level personalized service is a phone call away. Call and ask for our Founder, Jason. You’re the best judge. When a financial advisory boasts hundreds of clients, can they truly offer personalized service?

We’ll huddle often. We practice a collaborative style. We don’t take a “cookie-cutter” approach to how often we meet. If a client wants to meet quarterly, we will. Ad-hoc, we will. We seek to engage in whatever way works best for the client we serve. That said, we’re always striving to be on top of things, remain proactive and interact with each client when something arises that needs to be managed.