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Our Approach

Spectrum's approach to financial planning starts with obtaining financial and other information from the client, including information about attitudes, goals and objectives. We then prioritize which goals and objectives are most important, analyze your information to develop recommendations for your consideration, and explain implications and potential outcomes of each alternative.

Our approach to asset management can be summed up in two words: "Active Discipline." It encompasses three elements: portfolio construction, implementation and monitoring. Portfolio construction is largely based on what is known as Markowitz Portfolio Theory, the fundamental goal of which is to allocate investments between different assets in order to maximize returns for a selected level of risk. Each client's investment objectives, constraints and preferences are identified and specified in writing through an investment policy statement (IPS).

  • Implementation and monitoring is an ongoing process by which:
  • Strategies are developed and implemented through investments in a combination of financial assets
  • Current economic and capital market conditions are observed and compared to forecasted assumptions
  • Client circumstances are monitored
  • Portfolio adjustments are made as appropriate to reflect significant changes in any or all of the above variables.

Our Process

  • Discovery
  • Gather Data
  • Analyze & Design
  • Implement
  • Monitor & Review

  • Discovery

    We start with a complimentary “Get Acquainted” meeting to describe our people, process, services and fees, and to learn about your worries—the thoughts that typically cause anxiety and frustration rather than providing direction. The goal of the meeting is to transform those concerns into specific, actionable goals and to determine whether a mutually beneficial relationship exists. We then prioritize your goals, which creates the cornerstone for the next stage of our process.


  • Gather Data

    Our professionals will help you to determine your current situation, clarify your desired future situation. We will help you decide when it is to be achieved and establish responsibilities in order to get the information needed to ensure that the results meet your expectations.

    You will be provided with a “Wealth Development Packet,” customized to the scope and complexity of your needs and circumstances. Because data gathering can be a daunting and time-consuming task, our firm’s para-planner will provide as much assistance as needed. Once completed, a meeting is conducted to review the information for accuracy and congruency with stated objectives and your risk tolerance.

  • Analyze

    Once the relevant information has been gathered, organized and reviewed, we are ready to analyze your present financial condition. This analysis is likely to reveal strengths to build upon as well as weaknesses that are arriers to your goals.

    Design

    After your information has been analyzed, we will design a realistic plan to help you attain your objectives. Your financial plan will be tailored to you, and will include strategies designed with your abilities and your goals in mind. Typically, there is more than one way of achieving one’s goals. When this is the case, we will present alternative strategies and will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.

  • Implementation

    Our advisory services fall into two broad categories: Fee-Only Financial Planning and Fee-Based Asset Management.

    Fee-Only Financial Planning

    Once your plan design is completed and approved by you, we will provide a written final version with an executive summary and recommendations. You are under no obligation to implement any of the recommendations outlined in the plan, either with Spectrum or with any other firm.

    Fee-Based Asset Management

    Your financial assessment will most likely include your completed risk profile, which will help us determine your ability and willingness to take on investment risk. If not, with our assistance, you will complete our risk profile, describing your financial situation, investment objectives, time horizon, risk tolerance and investment preferences. We will then determine the appropriate portfolio investment strategy (see Asset Management) for your needs. You will be provided with a written Investment Policy Statement (IPS) based on the results of your completed profile.

    Additionally, you will be introduced to your Client Services Specialist. The specialist will guide you through the account funding/asset transfer process to ensure that the investments you’d like us to manage get to us in a timely manner. The specialist will also assist with any specific cashiering needs you have (Wire orders, systematic withdrawal or deposit plans, margin lending and bill pay are just a few of the perks that our managed-account clients enjoy).

  • Monitor and Review

    Your relationship with us is an ongoing one. We will meet once a year, or more frequently if changing circumstances warrant it, to review:

    • the performance of solutions implemented
    • any changes in your personal and financial circumstances
    • any changes in the economic, tax or financial environment.

    Clients who choose our investment-advisory strategies receive anytime, anywhere access to our portfolio accounting, measured-performance portal. This leading-edge technology gives you full access to your aggregate portfolio holdings, benchmarked performance. You may retrieve archived results easily and securely, on any device.