Description of Advisory Firm Sikich Capital Management LLC, doing business as Sikich Financial (“Sikich Financial”, the “Firm”, “we”, “our” or “us”), is an investment adviser currently registered with the SEC which allows us to offer you investment advisory products and services.
• Sikich Financial has been registered as an investment adviser with the SEC since March 24, 2017. Sikich Financial had previously been registered with various states since February 26, 2007. The Firm currently oversees approximately $1.17 billion in client assets.
• Sikich Financial is wholly owned by Sikich LLP, an Illinois limited liability partnership.
• We provide fee-based investment advisory services. The nature and extent of the specific services provided to clients, including you, will always depend on each client’s financial status, objectives and needs, time horizons, concerns, expectations and risk tolerance.
• Certain investment adviser representatives (“IAR(s)”) of Sikich Financial are also licensed as registered representatives with Triad Advisors, LLC, a registered broker/dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC (“Triad Advisors”). Additionally, the Firm’s IARs may also be independent insurance agents. Triad Advisors and Sikich Financial are not affiliated. When acting in the capacity of registered representative or licensed insurance agent, our IARs will earn commissions. These arrangements and potential conflict of interest situations are discussed in more detail in Items 5, 10, 12, and 14 of the Brochure.
• When providing advisory services, we are able to use wrap fee programs sponsored by Triad Advisors in its separate capacity as an investment adviser registered with the SEC.
• More information about our IARs’ business and education background can be found in their respective ADV Part 2B (“Brochure Supplements”). You will be provided with a copy of the Brochure Supplement of the IAR working with you.
• Sikich Financial offers personalized investment management services and financial planning services. When provided together, we refer to our services as “Wealth Management”. Wealth Management services are designed to provide for both financial planning and active management of a client’s assets. Because we almost always provide these services in conjunction, we generally do not charge a separate fee for our financial planning services, except as noted in Item 5 of the Brochure.
• Clients are advised that the investment recommendations and advice offered by Sikich Financial do not constitute legal or accounting advice. Therefore, you should coordinate and discuss the impact of financial advice with your attorney and/or accountant.
• As our parent company, Sikich LLP provides our Firm with office space, resources and other benefits a parent company typically provides to its subsidiaries. The supervised persons of Sikich Financial are also employees of Sikich LLP.
• Sikich Financial clients seeking certain accounting and other consulting services offered by Sikich LLP may be referred to Sikich LLP.
• For Sikich Financial clients utilizing our retirement plan consulting services (“RPS Services”), we also recommend engaging Sikich LLP for its third-party administrator (“TPA”) services (as more fully described below).
• Clients should be aware that services provided by Sikich LLP are not independent because of the arrangements described above. Although we do not compensate Sikich LLP for referrals they send to the Firm, and conversely, Sikich LLP does not compensate the Firm for client referrals we make to them, we have an economic incentive (that in some instances can be viewed as a conflict of interest) to recommend Sikich LLP over other firms providing similar services. Depending on the engagement, Sikich LLP may charge fees for its services that are separate and in addition to fees charged by Sikich Financial. You will be provided with an engagement letter or agreement that details the fees and by whom you will be billed for the services. Any clients (or potential clients) of Sikich Financial are never obligated to use the accounting and other consulting services provided by Sikich LLP.
• Clients are encouraged to inform Sikich Financial promptly with respect to any changes in their financial situation, investment goals and objectives. Failure to notify Sikich Financial of any such changes could result in investment recommendations not meeting the needs of the client. Description of Advisory Services Financial Planning Services Financial planning services do not involve the active management of client accounts, but instead focus on a client’s overall financial situation. Financial planning can be described as helping individuals determine and set their long-term financial goals through investments, asset allocation, risk management, retirement planning, and other areas. The role of a financial planner is to find ways to help the client understand his/her overall financial situation and help the client set financial objectives. We provide financial planning services in the form of written financial plans and consultations. As stated above, most of our wealth management clients receive financial planning services in connection with our investment management services and, therefore, we may not charge a separate fee. However, we are willing to provide financial planning services on a one-time basis and on an on-going basis. Clients must execute a financial planning agreement prior to us commencing stand-alone, one-time services or on-going services. The exact financial planning objectives will be determined on an individual basis with each client and summarized in the financial planning agreement. Financial planning services may be specific or modular in their preparation (unique to each client in their depth of preparation). They take into consideration factors such as the client's objectives, risks that they are willing to undertake, investment knowledge, net worth, income, age, projected retirement, unusual or material funding requirements, inheritance possibilities, pensions, social security, children/relative funding issues, estate issues, and living expenses expressed in today’s dollars requested for retirement. Topics covered in financial planning services include, but are not necessarily limited to:  Goal setting  Investment planning  Estate planning  Stock option planning  Insurance planning  Cash flow planning  Real estate planning  Education planning  Retirement planning  Long-term care planning See Item 5 of this Brochure for fee descriptions of the Firm’s financial planning services. Investment Management Services A. Triad Advisors Sponsored Wrap Fee Programs We provide investment management services through wrap fee programs sponsored by Triad Advisors. Triad wrap fee programs allow us to provide investment advisory services and also provide for execution of client transactions. Costs for execution of client transactions are included in the overall advisory fee charged to the client. We will assist clients selecting this service by establishing one or more accounts with National Financial Services LLC (“NFS”). All brokerage transactions will be processed by Triad Advisors in its capacity as an introducing broker/dealer and then cleared through NFS pursuant to a clearing arrangement established by Triad Advisors with NFS (please refer to Item 12 – Brokerage Practices for more information). Triad Advisors has also entered into agreements with various insurance companies that allow for the management and valuation of client variable annuity accounts within Triad Advisors accounts. NFS, insurance companies or other custodians will maintain physical custody of all funds and securities. Please note Sikich Financial and Triad Advisors do not serve as qualified custodians (please refer to Item 15 – Custody for more information). If you decide to hire us for this service, we will develop an individualized investment program for your account(s). Various investment strategies are provided through this service; however, a specific investment strategy and investment policy is crafted for each client to focus on the specific client’s goals and objectives. In some cases, we will serve as the sole investment manager and will be responsible for recommending all investments and trading. 1. Triad Wealth Management Platform – Advisor Managed Portfolios The Triad Advisor Managed Portfolios Program (“Advisor Managed Portfolios”) provides comprehensive investment management of your assets through the application of asset allocation planning software as well as the provision of execution, clearing and custodial services through NFS. Advisor Managed Portfolios provides risk tolerance assessment, efficient frontier plotting, fund profiling and performance data, and portfolio optimization and re-balancing tools. Utilizing these tools and based on your responses to a risk tolerance questionnaire (“Questionnaire”) and discussions that you and your IAR have together regarding, among other things, your personal investment objectives and goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, account restrictions, needs, personal circumstances and overall financial situation, we construct a portfolio of investments for you. Your IAR has the option to allocate your portfolio amongst a mix of stocks, bonds, options, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), mutual funds and other securities (“Program Investments”) which are based on your investment goals, objectives, and risk tolerance. Each portfolio is designed to meet your individual needs, stated goals and objectives. Additionally, you have the opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in the portfolio. For further Advisor Managed Portfolios details, please see the Triad Advisor Managed Portfolios Wrap Fee Program Brochure. We provide this brochure to you prior to or concurrent with your enrollment in Advisor Managed Portfolios. Please read it thoroughly before investing. 2. Triad Wealth Management Platform – Unified Managed Account Program The Triad Unified Managed Account Program (“UMA”) provides you with the opportunity to invest your assets across multiple investment strategies and asset classes by implementing an asset allocation strategy. UMA is a Wrap Account program that offers these advisory services along with brokerage and custodial services for a single, annual, asset-based advisory fee. After you discuss your financial goals and objectives with your IAR, we will recommend an asset allocation model (“UMA Model”) to you which will consist of: a) Investment Strategies serviced and created by investment managers or your IAR that generally consist of a selection of mutual funds, exchange traded products, equities, and or bonds; b) Mutual funds and ETFs (“Funds”); c) or a combination of the preceding bundled together in an investment asset allocation model. We will recommend a UMA Model to you based on your responses to the Questionnaire and discussion that we have together regarding among other things, your personal investment objectives and goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, account restrictions, needs, personal circumstances and overall financial situation. In addition, you can place reasonable restrictions on investments held within your UMA account. All recommendations in the UMA are made on a discretionary basis, which means your IAR can act without your prior approval. For further UMA details, please refer to The Triad Wealth Management Platform – Unified Managed Account Wrap Fee Program Brochure. We provide this brochure to you prior to or concurrent with your enrollment in the UMA. Please read it thoroughly before investing. Regardless of the type of wrap account you choose, we will need to obtain certain information from you to determine your financial situation and investment objectives. Accounts are therefore managed on the basis of your individual financial situation and investment objectives. At least annually, Sikich Financial contacts individual clients to determine whether (i) their financial situation or investment objectives have changed, or (ii) if the client wants to impose and/or modify any reasonable restrictions on the management of their accounts. Sikich Financial’s IARs are available to consult with individual clients relative to the status of their accounts. Clients have the ability to impose reasonable restrictions on the management of your accounts, including the ability to instruct us not to purchase certain securities. Your beneficial interest in a security does not represent an undivided interest in all the securities held by the custodian, but rather represents a direct and beneficial interest in the securities which comprise the account. A separate account is maintained for each client with the custodian and clients retain the right of ownership of the account (e.g., right to withdraw securities or cash, exercise or delegate proxy voting, and receive transaction confirmations). Sikich Financial manages investments for other clients and may give them advice or take actions for them or for our personal accounts that is different from the advice we provide to you or actions we take for you. Sikich Financial’s IARs are not obligated to buy, sell or recommend to you any security or other investment that they may buy, sell or recommend for any other clients or for their own accounts. Conflicts may arise in the allocation of investment opportunities among accounts that we manage. We strive to allocate investment opportunities believed appropriate for your account(s) and other accounts advised by our Firm among such accounts equitably and consistent with the best interests of all accounts involved. However, there can be no assurance that a particular investment opportunity that comes to our attention will be allocated in any particular manner. If we obtain material, non-public information about a security or its issuer that we may not lawfully use or disclose, we have absolutely no obligation to disclose the information to any client or use it for any client’s benefit. Please know this section is intended to be a summary (or general description) of the Triad Advisors wrap fee programs. Please refer to Item 5 – Fees and Compensation for information regarding fees and compensation. B. Envestnet Asset Management, Inc. (Recommendation of Unaffiliated Sub-Manager) By using the Triad Advisors wrap fee programs, we are able to utilize the platforms and administrative services of Envestnet Asset Management, Inc. (“Envestnet”), an SEC registered investment adviser, to provide certain investment advisory services. Envestnet allows clients to select one or more money managers (“Sub-Manager(s)") with the assistance of their Sikich Financial IAR. Selected Sub-Managers are responsible for managing the client’s investment portfolio on a discretionary basis. In addition to performing our own due diligence prior to recommending a Sub-Manager, we may rely on Envestnet’s own evaluations of Sub-Managers. The recommendation of a Sub-Manager is performed on a non-discretionary basis and is based on each client’s individual needs. For example, we will recommend Envestnet when we believe the client will benefit from investment strategies developed and utilized by Envestnet that we do not offer internally. A complete description of Envestnet’s services and arrangements will be disclosed in the Envestnet Form ADV Disclosure Brochure which will be provided to clients at the time an account is established through the Envestnet platform. We will also provide the Form ADV Disclosure Brochure for all Sub-Managers selected by the client. Clients are advised and should understand that:  A Sub-Manager’s past performance is no guarantee of future results;  There is a certain market and/or interest rate risk which may adversely affect any Sub- Manager’s objectives and strategies, and could cause a loss in client account(s); and  Client risk parameters or comparative index selections provided to Sikich Financial are guidelines only and there is no guarantee that they will be met or not be exceeded. The Firm is available to answer questions you may have regarding the portion of your account managed by Sub-Managers and act as the communication conduit between you and each Sub-Manager. Envestnet (in addition to Sikich Financial) and other selected Sub-Managers will be listed as an investment advisor on the account in order to render investment advice to Sikich Financial, including recommending an appropriate asset allocation for each client and specific investment managers or individual investment products. Information collected by our Firm regarding Sub-Managers is believed to be reliable and accurate but Sikich Financial does not necessarily independently review or verify it on all occasions. All performance reporting will be the responsibility of the respective Sub-Manager. Such performance reports will be provided directly to you and Sikich Financial. Sikich Financial does not audit or verify that these results are calculated on a uniform or consistent basis as provided by a Sub-Manager directly to Sikich Financial or through the consulting service utilized by the Sub-Manager. Please refer to Item 5 – Fees and Compensation for information regarding fees and compensation. C. SEI Sponsored Wrap Fee Program We also provide investment management services through the SEI Sponsored Wrap Fee Program. Through the SEI Sponsored Wrap Fee Program, we are able to provide investment advisory services and also arrange for execution of client transactions for one specified fee (or fees). In other words, execution fees are not billed on a per-transaction basis to the client’s account. We will assist clients selecting this service by establishing one or more accounts with SEI Trust Company (“SEI”). All brokerage transactions will be processed by SEI. Through this service we provide individualized investment programs for each client’s account(s). Various investment strategies are provided through this service; however, a specific investment strategy and investment policy is crafted for each client to focus on the specific client’s goals and objectives. Although we may manage all or at least a portion of the client’s assets in this program, we will routinely recommend the sub-manager services of SEI (“SEI Sub-Advisors”) for evaluations of Investment Managers used in the program. These SEI Sub-Advisors are affiliated investment advisors that are available through the SEI Wrap Fee Program. We are always available to answer questions you may have regarding the portion of your account managed by the SEI Sub-Advisors and act as the communication conduit between you and the SEI Sub-Advisor. SEI will be listed as an investment advisor on the account in order to render investment advice to Sikich Financial, including recommending an appropriate asset allocation for each client and specific investment managers or individual investment products. Please refer to Item 5 – Fees and Compensation for information regarding fees and compensation. D. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Sikich Financial provides portfolio management services to clients whose assets are maintained at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. The portfolios are customized to each client’s needs, objectives, and risk level, and focus primarily on investments in mutual funds. We offer this service on both a discretionary and non- discretionary basis. Please refer to Item 5 – Fees and Compensation for information regarding fees and compensation. Retirement Plan Consulting Services Clients may engage Sikich Financial to provide retirement plan consulting services (“RPS Services”). RPS Services may include, but are not necessarily limited to, establishing a qualified plan, fiduciary consulting, recommendations regarding investment selection, investment monitoring, fee and performance analysis, vendor search and selection and employee education presentations to plan participants (as more fully described below). Typically, Sikich Financial provides its clients RPS Services on a continuous and on- going basis; however, in certain circumstances we will offer one-time or as-needed RPS Services. Establishing a Qualified Plan. If needed, Sikich Financial can assist clients with the establishment of a qualified plan by working with the client and a selected Third-Party Administrator (“TPA”) and third-party custodian.
• When a client, its 401(k) plan or other employee plan (“Plan”) has not already selected a TPA, Sikich Financial can assist the client with the review and selection of a TPA for the Plan. A division of the Firm’s parent company, Sikich LLP (“Sikich TPA”), can serve as a TPA and when doing so will receive fees in addition to Sikich Financial’s standard advisory fees. A conflict of interest exists when recommending Sikich TPA because of our affiliation and, therefore, we have an economic incentive to recommend them over other TPAs. If we recommend Sikich TPA as your TPA, clients are not required to use Sikich TPA’s services. Clients can select any other TPA and concurrently engaged Sikich Financial for the provision of RPS Services. In certain cases, the fees and expenses charged by Sikich TPA may be more expensive than other qualified custodians Sikich Financial does not recommend. Please

refer to previous information in Item 4 – Advisory Business of the Brochure for more details regarding Sikich TPA.
• When establishing a new Plan or transferring an existing Plan to a new custodian, we may recommend a variety of 401(k) vendors depending on the client’s goals and objectives for the Plan.
• Assist client in communicating with investment managers and funds, custodians, banks, trustees, TPAs and legal counsel. Fiduciary Consulting. Sikich Financial can assist the retirement plan committee with fiduciary training to ensure the committee is aware of their fiduciary responsibilities as defined by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). Sikich Financial can also provide a one-time plan assessment which may include a review of the Plan’s investment selections, fees, educational process and overall plan effectiveness. Investment Selection and Monitoring Services. Sikich Financial can assist clients with fund selection and ongoing monitoring to ensure the Plan’s investment options are prudent selections for plan participants. Based on the client’s goals and objectives, this service can encompass one or more of the following:  Assist in the review, evaluation, and establishment of the investment policies and objectives of the Plan (the development, monitoring and maintaining of the Plan’s Investment Policy Statement).  Provide research and advice regarding selection of investment alternatives for the Plan, including advice regarding number of alternatives, asset classes and funds within asset classes.  Provide research and advice regarding selection of a replacement fund within an existing asset class in the Plan.  Provide ongoing review, monitoring and reporting with respect to investment alternatives in the Plan, including performance reporting and benchmarking on an annual, or alternative, basis.  Meet with the client or Plan on a periodic basis to review reports and discuss any questions with respect to reports or investment alternative performance. Fee and Performance Analysis, Vendor Search and Selection. Sikich Financial can assess the current fees and review the performance of the Plan’s underlying holdings on behalf of the plan sponsor. This review could also include trust, custodial, and administrative services, and review alternative vendor platforms where desired by the client. Employee Education Presentations and Enrollment. Sikich Financial can provide educational presentations for plan participants. Presentations to participants are informational in nature and intended to provide an overview of the Plan and the Plan’s investment selections. The nature of the topics to be covered will be determined by Sikich Financial and the client. Unless specifically contracted for, the educational presentations will NOT provide plan participants with individualized, tailored investment advice or individualized, tailored asset allocation recommendations. The education sessions may also include enrollment meetings for plan participants. The exact suite of services provided to a client will be listed and detailed in their specific retirement plan consulting agreement (“RPS Agreement”). When providing services pursuant to ERISA Section 3(21), as indicated in the RPS Agreement, Sikich Financial will not have trading authorization over the Plan’s assets. All recommendations of investment options will be submitted to the client, or the Plan’s trustee, for the ultimate approval or rejection. It is the client’s responsibility to accept Sikich Financial’s investment recommendations and then request the custodian to effect the investment changes to the Plan. Reporting Services through Envestnet Upon discretion and final approval by Sikich Financial, some clients may be allowed to establish one or more Reporting Service accounts through Envestnet. Through such an account(s), the client must appoint Sikich Financial as the investment advisor to the account. Reporting Services are typically for accounts holding money market mutual funds, money market funds, securities that cannot be sold due to tax consequences and other accounts that require long-term buy-and- hold strategies or strategies that differ from those offered through the Envestnet platform. Clients have the ability to direct Sikich Financial to execute a trade by either purchasing or selling individual securities. Sikich Financial will most often implement trades on a non-discretionary basis which means the client will be consulted with prior to making changes. Clients are required to enter into a written wealth management agreement with Sikich Financial for all Reporting Service accounts and they will be provided a copy of the Brochure prior to establishing an account. Clients will also enter into a Reporting Services agreement with Envestnet to receive online reporting and administration on accounts. By including reporting accounts in this service, Envestnet is able to combine data and information for the reporting accounts with data and information from other accounts that may be managed by Sikich Financial to present consolidated holdings, transactions and performance on quarterly performance/position reports generated by Envestnet. Envestnet provides no investment advice or management services and has no discretionary authority with respect to reporting accounts. . RBC Wealth Management Money Manager Program Sikich Financial has entered into a referral relationship with RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, a member of FINRA, SPIC and NYSE (“RBC”) to refer certain Firm clients to RBC for its money manager evaluation and selection service (the “Money Manager Program”). Sikich Financial and RBC are not affiliated companies. Sikich Financial offers this program through a legacy arrangement between an acquired investment advisory entity and RBC. Through this service, RBC conducts a money manager search to identify money managers to implement the client's investment plan. The eligible third-party money managers are selected by RBC and the client from the list of RBC approved managers. RBC is responsible for the selection and monitoring of the third- party managers, along with quarterly performance reporting. Based on a client's investment objectives, circumstances and needs, RBC will present one or more money management firms it believes can meet the client's needs, based on a target asset allocation for the overall portfolio as determined with assistance from a Sikich Financial IAR. Factors including account size, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, time horizon and a client's investment experience, are discussed during an initial consultation meeting (which may include a representative from RBC) with Sikich Financial and the client. After consultation between Sikich Financial and RBC, recommendations of money manager(s) are made by RBC. Because of the limited number of managers in this alliance selection pool, clients should be aware that managers, other than those recommended through this program, may have better or worse investment performance histories, and charge higher or lower fees. After a client has selected a money manager(s) from those presented, the client will enter into an advisory agreement with each individual money manager utilized, whereby each money manager agrees to accept and manage the client's assets as directed to them. To the extent there are changes to a client's financial circumstances, objectives, or investment restrictions, the client needs to inform Sikich Financial to determine if changes to the client’s investment portfolios or selected money managers are needed. Each client will need to grant the money manager discretionary trading authority so the money manager can place transaction orders at will for a client's account. Each client has the opportunity to instruct the money manager with respect to investment restrictions imposed on the management of the client's account. Each client’s account is a separately managed account and therefore individually owned by the client, separate from the accounts of other clients of the money manager. Each client will have access to confirmations of each securities transaction placed by the money manager for the client's account, periodic custodian account statements, as well as a summary of account performance (prepared by RBC) at least annually, but often times on a quarterly basis. Money managers and third-party manager search program sponsors generally can terminate their services by notice to a client. Clients can also terminate a money manager at any time, which is done by providing directions to RBC to terminate the manager’s contract. While a client's account is being managed by a money manager, Sikich Financial and/or RBC counsels the client about the performance of the account and money manager and about the content of reports sent to the client. Meetings occur as frequently as mutually agreed between the client, Sikich Financial and RBC. Again, clients should be aware that Sikich Financial assists in establishing the risk tolerance and asset allocation of the client. RBC only recommends investment managers that have been previously evaluated by RBC; thus, it generally will not conduct a search for other money managers unless requested to do so. The performance of other money managers not recommended by RBC but available to a client on a different third-party money manager platform may be better or worse than that of the money manager recommended, and their fees may be higher or lower. Prospective clients should also be aware that Sikich Financial may rely heavily on third-party money manager search programs for performance information and account reporting services. Should a sponsor not provide these services to Sikich Financial, Sikich Financial may not be able to independently do so. Sikich Financial’s advice in the RBC platform is solely limited to assessing the risk tolerance of the client and recommending the asset allocation. As part of the wealth management services provided under the Money Manager Program, our clients may also work with Sikich LLP to receive customized tax consulting services. The fee for such tax consulting services will be paid from the portion of the management fee billed by RBC and paid to Sikich Financial. However, in no event will any referral fees be paid to or received from employees of Sikich LLP. Please refer to Item 5 – Fees and Compensation for our fee arrangements for this service. Limited Advice to Certain Types of Investments We provide investment advice on the following types of investments.
• Exchange-listed securities (i.e., stocks)
• Securities traded over the counter (i.e., stocks)
• Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
• Certificates of deposit
• Municipal securities
• Variable life insurance
• Variable annuities
• Mutual fund shares
• United States government securities
• Options contracts on securities We do not provide advice on foreign issuers, warrants, commercial paper, options contracts on commodities, futures contracts on tangibles or intangibles, or interests in partnerships investing in real estate, oil and gas interests. We may also provide advice about real estate investment trusts (REITs), ETFs, and any type of investment held in a client's portfolio at the beginning of the advisory relationship. When providing investment management services, the Firm will typically construct each client’s account holdings using mutual funds and equities to build diversified portfolios. It is not our typical investment strategy to attempt to time the market, but we may increase cash holdings modestly as deemed appropriate, based on your risk tolerance and our expectations of market behavior. We may modify our investment strategy to accommodate special situations like low basis stock, stock options, legacy holdings, inheritances, closely held businesses, collectibles, or special tax situations. In addition, we recommend that clients authorize the active discretionary management of a portion of their assets by Envestnet, based upon the stated investment objectives of the client. In performing its services, Sikich Financial shall not be required to verify any information received from the client or from the client’s other professionals (e.g., attorney, accountant, etc.) and is expressly authorized to rely on such information. We may recommend our services, our Advisory Affiliates (as such term is defined in Form ADV Part 1A) in their individual capacities as registered representatives of a broker-dealer, and/or other professionals to implement our recommendations. You are advised that a conflict of interest exists if we recommend our own services. The client is under no obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made by us under a financial planning/consulting engagement and/or engage the services of any such recommended professional, including Sikich Financial itself. The client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any of our recommendations. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains his/her/its responsibility to promptly notify us if there is ever any change in his/her/its financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating, or revising our previous recommendations and/or services. (Please refer to Item 8 – Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss for more information.) BAM Advisor Services Program Through acquisition of BCG Wealth Advisors, LLC (BCG WA) in April 2016, the Firm has certain IARs located in its Akron office who are contracted with an SEC registered investment adviser, Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC, formerly Buckingham Asset Management (“BAM”), for services including trade processing, collection of management fees, record maintenance, report preparation, marketing assistance, and research. The Firm pays a fee for BAM services based on management fees paid to Firm accounts that use Buckingham Strategic Partners. The fee paid by the Firm to BAM consists of a portion of the fee paid by clients to the Firm and varies based on the total client assets participating in BAM through the Firm. These fees are not separately charged to advisory clients. For investment management and employee benefit plan services, the Firm will request authority from the client to receive quarterly payments directly from the client's account held by an independent custodian. Clients may provide written limited authorization to the Firm or its designated service provider, BAM, to withdraw fees from the account. Clients will receive custodial statements showing the advisory fees debited from their account(s). Certain third-party administrators will calculate and debit the Firm’s fee and remit such fee to the Firm. Our IARs will work with a client to determine the client's investment objectives and investor risk profile and will design a written investment policy statement and use investment and portfolio allocation software to evaluate alternative portfolio designs. We evaluate the client's existing investments with respect to the client's investment policy statement. The Firm works with new clients to develop a plan to transition from the client's existing portfolio to the portfolio recommended by the Firm. Our IAR will then continuously monitor the client's portfolio holdings and the overall asset allocation strategy and hold review meetings with the client regarding the account as necessary. The Firm will typically create a portfolio of no-load mutual funds and may use model portfolios if the models match the client's investment policy and will allocate the client's assets among various investments taking into consideration the overall management style selected by the client. We will generally recommend portfolios consisting of passively managed asset class and index mutual funds and recommend mutual funds offered by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). DFA sponsored mutual funds follow a passive asset class investment philosophy with low holdings turnover. The Firm may also utilize other passively managed mutual funds or ETFs, including funds offered by Vanguard, AQR and Bridgeway. The Firm manages mutual fund and equity portfolios on a discretionary basis according to the investment policy selected by the client. A client may impose any reasonable restrictions on the Firm’s discretionary authority, including restrictions on the types of securities in which the Firm may invest client’s assets and on specific securities, which the client may believe to be appropriate. The Firm may also recommend fixed income portfolios to investment management clients, which consist of managed accounts of individual bonds. We will request discretionary authority from investment management clients to manage fixed income portfolios, including the discretion to retain a third-party fixed income manager. The Firm will prepare a fixed income investment policy statement (“IPS”) for any client qualifying for separate fixed income portfolio services. Pursuant to its discretionary authority, the Firm will retain a fixed income securities manager. The fixed income securities manager will be provided with discretionary authority to purchase fixed income securities consistent with the client’s fixed income IPS. The fixed income manager will also monitor the account for changes in credit ratings, security call provisions, and tax loss harvesting opportunities (to the extent that the manager is provided with cost basis information). Based on its monitoring, the fixed income manager may suggest the sale of certain fixed income securities and seek concurrence of the IAR prior to the sale. On an ongoing basis, the Firm will answer clients’ inquiries regarding their accounts and review periodically with clients the performance of their accounts. The Firm will periodically, and at least annually, review clients’ investment policy, risk profile and discuss the re-balancing of each client's accounts to the extent appropriate. The Firm will provide the investment manager with any updated client financial information or account restrictions necessary for the investment manager to provide sub-advisory services. Business and Succession Planning Through acquisition of Golden Trail Advisers, LLC, in January 2024, the Firm provides advice on succession planning for business owners. These services are project based and designed to assist business owners in identifying and improving the key drivers of value to enhance the proceeds from a sale or increase the cash flow from the business. In addition to managing the client’s investment portfolio, the Firm may consult with clients on various financial areas including income and estate tax planning, college financial planning, retirement planning, insurance analysis, personal cash flow analysis, establishment and design of retirement plans and trust designs, among other things. Participation in Wrap Fee Programs As mentioned above, Sikich Financial does offer services through wrap fee programs sponsored by Triad Advisors and other third parties, including SEI. A wrap fee program is defined as any advisory program under which a specified fee or fees not based directly upon transactions in a client’s account is charged for investment advisory services (which may include portfolio management or advice concerning the selection of other investment advisers) and the execution of client transactions. Whenever a fee is charged to a client for services described in the Brochure (whether wrap fee or non-wrap fee), we will receive all or a portion of the fee charged. Tailoring Advisory Services to Individual Needs of Clients Our services are always provided based on the individual needs of each client. This means, for example, that you are given the ability to impose restrictions on the accounts we manage for you, including specific investment selections and sectors. We work with each client on a one-on-one basis through interviews and questionnaires to determine the client’s investment objectives and suitability information. IRA Rollover Recommendations For the purpose of complying with the DOL's Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02 ("PTE 2020-02"), when applicable, we are providing the following acknowledgment to clients. When the Firm provides investment advice to clients regarding their retirement plan account or individual retirement account, we are a fiduciary within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way the Firm makes money creates some conflicts with client interests. We operate under an exemption that requires the Firm to act in the clients’ best interest and not put the Firm’s or its employees’ interest ahead of the clients. Under this exemption, we must:
• meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent advice),
• never put the Firm’s or its employees’ financial interests ahead of the clients when making recommendations (give loyal advice),
• avoid making misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments,
• follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that the Firm and its employees give advice that is in the clients’ best interest,
• charge no more than is reasonable for services, and
• give the clients basic information about conflicts of interest. We benefit financially from the rollover of the clients’ assets from a retirement account to an account that the Firm manages or provides investment advice, because the assets increase the Firm’s assets under management and, in turn, its advisory fees. As a fiduciary, we only recommend a rollover when the Firm and its employees believe it is in the clients’ best interest. Client Assets Managed by Sikich Financial Sikich Financial has a total of $749,061,756 of regulatory assets under management (using December 31, 2023 figures). All of these assets are managed on a discretionary basis. We provide advisory services for approximately $1,538,497,114 in assets, including accounts managed by third-party money managers, and retirement and pension plan accounts.