Firm Description
HMS Financial Services, LLC (“HMS”), was founded in 1998.
HMS provides personalized confidential financial advice and investment management to individuals,
pension and profit-sharing plans, and trusts and is available to estates, charitable organizations, and
small businesses. Advice is provided through direct consultation with clients and may include
determination of financial objectives, identification of financial problems, investment management,
education funding, and retirement planning.
Investment advice is an integral part of our service. We provide individuals and other types of clients with
a wide array of investment advisory services. HMS advises clients regarding cash flow, college planning,
retirement planning, and limited tax planning. However, clients should speak with a tax professional
regarding the impact of any advice by HMS.
Investment advice is provided, with the client making the final decision with respect to the appropriate
investment objective(s) of his or her accounts with investment selection performed by the firm. HMS does
not act as a custodian of client assets. The client always maintains asset control. HMS places trades for
clients under a limited power of attorney granted by the client.
A written evaluation of each client's initial situation is provided to the client, as a part of an Investment
Advisory Agreement. Periodic reviews are communicated to provide reminders of the specific courses of
action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews occur but are not necessarily communicated to the
client unless immediate changes are recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) may be engaged directly by the
client on an as-needed basis. Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the client in the unlikely event they
should occur.
The initial meeting, which may be by telephone, is free of charge and is considered an exploratory
interview to determine the extent to which financial advice and investment management may be beneficial
to the client.
Principal Owners
Scot J. Bytnar is a 100% stockholder.
Types of Advisory Services
HMS provides investment supervisory services, also known as asset management services; manages
investment advisory accounts not involving investment supervisory services; furnishes investment advice
through consultations; and provides periodic narrative updates regarding economic or market news or
information that is perceived to be current or relevant to clients.
On more than an occasional basis, HMS furnishes advice to clients on matters not involving securities,
such as financial planning matters, retirement planning and limited taxation issues.
As of 12/31/2023, HMS manages approximately $106,799,347 in assets for approximately 248 clients.
Approximately $105,787,637 is managed on a discretionary basis, and $1,011,710 is managed on a non-
discretionary basis.
Tailored Relationships
Our firm manages assets on a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, for many distinct types of clients
to help meet their financial goals while remaining sensitive to risk tolerance and time horizons. As a
fiduciary it is our duty to always act in the client’s best interest and this is accomplished in part by knowing
the client. HMS has established a service-oriented advisory practice with open lines of communication.
Working with clients to understand their investment objectives while educating them about our process
facilitates the
kind of working relationship we value. The goals and objectives for each client are
documented in our Investment Advisory Agreement and our portfolio management system. Investment
policy statements may be created that provide and more detailed description of the stated goals and
objectives for the client.
Each client can place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in the portfolio.
Restrictions on investments in certain securities or types of securities may not be possible due to the
level of difficulty this would entail in managing the account. Restrictions would be limited to our services
only. HMS reserves the right to terminate advisory services or to not initiate advisory services for a client
if the requested restrictions are deemed unreasonable and beyond the firm's capacity to employ.
Agreements may not be assigned without the client's consent.
Types of Agreements
The following agreements define the typical client relationships.
Advisory Service Agreement
Most clients choose to have HMS manage their assets to obtain ongoing in-depth financial advice and
life planning. Many aspects of the client’s financial affairs are reviewed, including those of their children.
Realistic and measurable goals are discussed and objectives to reach those goals are defined. As goals
and objectives change over time, suggestions are made and implemented.
The scope of work and fee for an Advisory Service Agreement is given to the client in writing before the
relationship starts. An Advisory Service Agreement includes investment management (including
performance reporting) and the implementation of recommendations made.
Although the Advisory Service Agreement is an ongoing agreement and constant adjustments are
required, the length of service to the client is at the client’s discretion. The client or HMS may terminate
an Agreement by written notice to the other party. At termination, fees will be billed pro rata for the
quarter's portion completed. The portfolio value as of the date of termination/transfer of the account(s)
is/are used as the basis for the fee computation, adjusted for the number of days during the billing quarter
prior to termination.
Asset Management Services
Assets are invested primarily in no-load or low-load mutual funds and exchange-traded funds, usually
through discount brokers or fund companies. Fund companies charge each fund shareholder an
investment management fee that is disclosed in the fund prospectus. Discount brokerages may charge
a transaction fee for the purchase of some funds.
Stocks and bonds may be purchased or sold through a brokerage account when appropriate. The
brokerage firm charges a fee for stock and bond trades. HMS does not receive any compensation, in any
form, from fund companies or brokerages.
Investments may also include equities (stocks), warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper,
certificates of deposit, municipal securities, investment company securities (mutual funds shares), U. S.
government securities, options contracts, futures contracts, and interests in partnerships.
Initial public offerings (IPOs) are not available through HMS.
Termination of Agreement
A Client may terminate their relationship at any time by notifying HMS in writing and paying the rate for
the time spent on the investment advisory engagement prior to notification of termination.
HMS may terminate any of the agreements at any time by notifying the client in writing.