Acanthus CLASS

 

 

In a world of financial volatility and unscrupulous advisors, clients need a trustworthy team of advisors lead by a fiduciary, an individual whose code of conduct requires that the client’s best interest be served above all other concerns. This team of advisors must be in close communication, sharing a clear vision of what the client’s goals are and working collaboratively to realize them. The client needs to be able to access the plan produced by the advisory team at any time, from anywhere. 


Acanthus CLASS - Concierge Level Advanced Services Suite


 

CLASS members experience the ultimate level of personal service and attention to their financial fitness. Your program begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your current financial health. Through this process we gain valuable insight into not only where you are now but where you want to go and what you want to achieve. We then bring to bear Acanthus Associates considerable resources to craft a game plan to get you to your financial goals. Annually we will conduct a comprehensive review of your plan and make any necessary adjustments to your financial course.

 

Since we know that an annual plan review, no matter how comprehensive, will not cover every financial concern that might come up over the course of the year, CLASS members have priority access to your personal financial advisor. Call us anytime, any day and in the event your advisor is not immediately available, you will receive a response within 24 hours, even on weekends. This service is included in your CLASS membership, up to 8 hours per quarter. Any additional time needed will be billed at a discounted rate.

Developing and monitoring your financial game plan goes hand in hand with managing your investment assets. We will provide customized guidance for all of your investment accounts, not just those you choose to invest through us. And when you do invest through us you receive a steep discount on asset management fees of up to 75%. Since we work for you, we accept no commissions from the investments used in your managed portfolios. Some investments issue a quarterly trail payment to advisors even when initial commissions are refused.  If these payments are received from any investments in your account, your asset management fees will be discounted by that amount.

Like most other quality advisors, we pay close attention to the tax ramifications of your financial decisions. From advising you on coming legislative changes and their impact on your finances to carefully monitoring your gains and losses realized by asset movements in your accounts, we strive to minimize the tax burden you bear.

Going beyond tax management issues, CLASS members will receive their completed, signature-ready tax returns each year, prepared by one of our affiliated CPA’s, at no additional cost (up to $1,000, extremely complex returns may require additional billing). Already have an accountant you like? We will work closely with your accountant to complete your return and credit your CLASS bill for the cost of your return, up to $1,000. 

Similarly, if you need initial estate and trust work done, one of our partnered attorneys will produce customized documents as necessary for your situation at no additional cost (up to $1,000, extremely complex circumstances may require additional billing). If you have an attorney you prefer to work with, we will credit your CLASS bill for the fees you pay for your initial estate and trust documents, up to $1,000.

The best offense is a good defense, both in sport and in managing your financial fitness. Class members receive comprehensive and thorough insurance portfolio evaluations on an annual basis because planning for tomorrow isn’t worth anything if you aren’t protected today. With assistance from our partners, we analyze your potential risks in regards to survivorship, disability, property, casualty and liability. When appropriate, recommendations for changes to your insurance portfolio will be made.

Having the best game plan in place is not worth much if you don’t stick to it. The availability of all of your financial information in one place, available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week is the keystone of our CLASS program. You will have access to your own personal, secure web portal where you can see all of your account balances, updated daily as well as your financial performance versus your game plan. Your portal also serves as a communications hub for you and your advisors, including your current accountants, attorneys and agents. You will be able to monitor the performance of your financial plan and store your important documents in your secure digital vault, giving you the flexibility of accessing these things as needed, no matter where life takes you.

We embrace the duty of a fiduciary in our dealings with our clients. To CLASS members this means you can rest secure in the knowledge that we put your best interests above every other concern, including our own revenue. This is a far cry from the suitability standard that many commission-based advisors function under. We are confident that our CLASS members receive an unsurpassed level of service and attention to detail. Your financial success is our primary concern.