What Makes Aequus Different From Other Advisors?

    Most people, even professionals, look at the words “financial advisor” as a very generic term. Anyone can call themselves a financial advisor, but very few have the credentials and the disciplines to carry out the tasks that do the best job for the client. A “fiduciary” has a legal duty to work in the best interests of their clients. That means they must put your interests ahead of theirs at all times by providing advice on the investments that will serve you best.
    The term “fiduciary” is one which has taken on added importance lately as the country seeks to restore the confidence of investors large and small. When advisors are also salespeople, a conflict of interest is almost inevitable since there will be a temptation to steer clients into products in which they have a financial interest. The greater an adviser’s dependence on commission income is, the greater the conflict. In the end, that conflict could cost you both in out-of-pocket expenses and in the quality of advice you receive.
    Accountability is important in financial planning. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) requires all of its members to sign a Fiduciary Oath; this helps ensure that each client’s best interests, not the advisor’s, are always a priority. A NAPFA member or affiliate may not receive commissions, awards, rebates, finder’s fees, bonuses, or any form of compensation from others as a result of a client’s implementation of the individual’s planning recommendations. 
    Aequus is a NAPFA member, a fee-only advisor, and paid only for the services provided to our clients. There are no other forms of compensation—ever. This allows us to eliminate “conflicts of interest and act as a true “fiduciary.” While most advisors will say they do what is best for the client, very few are willing to put their promise to clients in writing. As Certified Financial Planners®, Aequus does so every day with each client relationship. That’s because our only obligation is to serve the best interests of our clients.