Description of Advisory Firm
Rooted Wealth Advisors is registered as an Investment Adviser with the United States Security Commission
(SEC). We were founded in October 2016. Zachary B. Gray is the principal owner of Rooted. As of December
31, 2023, Rooted manages $223,035,595 on a discretionary basis and $0.00 on a non-discretionary basis.
Types of Advisory Services
Investment Management Services
We are in the business of managing individually tailored investment portfolios. Our firm provides continuous
advice to a client regarding the investment of client funds based on the individual needs of the client. Through
personal discussions in which goals and objectives based on a client's particular circumstances are established,
we develop a client's personal investment policy or an investment plan with an asset allocation target and work
with third party institutional money managers to create and manage a portfolio based on that policy and
allocation target. During our data-gathering process, we determine the client’s individual objectives, time
horizons, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. We may also review and discuss a client’s prior investment history,
as well as family composition and background.
Financial Planning
Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client’s current and future financial state by using
currently known variables to predict future cash flows, asset values and withdrawal plans. The key defining
aspect of financial planning is that through the financial planning process, all questions, information and
analysis will be considered as they impact and are impacted by the entire financial and life situation of the
client. Clients purchasing this service will receive a written or an electronic report, providing the client with a
detailed financial plan designed to achieve his or her stated financial goals and objectives.
The client always has the right to decide whether or not to act upon our recommendations. If the client elects
to act on any of the recommendations, the client always has the right to affect the transactions through anyone
of their choosing.
In general, the financial plan will address any or all of the following areas of concern. The client and advisor will
work together to select the specific areas to cover. These areas may include, but are not limited to, the
following:
• Estate Planning: This usually includes an analysis of your exposure to estate taxes and your current
estate plan, which may include whether you have a will, powers of attorney, trusts and other related
documents. Our advice also typically includes ways for you to minimize or avoid future estate taxes by
implementing appropriate estate planning strategies such as the use of applicable trusts.
We always recommend that you consult with a qualified attorney when you initiate, update, or
complete estate planning activities. We may provide you with contact information for attorneys who
specialize in estate planning when you wish to hire an attorney for such purposes. From time-to-time,
we will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your attorney with your approval or
request.
• Financial Goals: We will help clients identify financial goals and develop a plan to reach them. We will
identify
what you plan to accomplish, what resources you will need to make it happen, how much time
you will need to reach the goal, and how much you should budget for your goal.
• Insurance: Review of existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability, long-term
care, liability, home and automobile.
• Investment Analysis: This may involve developing an asset allocation strategy to meet clients’ financial
goals and risk tolerance, providing information on investment vehicles and strategies, reviewing
employee stock options, as well as assisting you in establishing your own investment account at a
selected broker/dealer or custodian. The strategies and types of investments we may recommend are
further discussed in Item 8 of this brochure.
• Retirement Planning: Our retirement planning services typically include projections of your likelihood
of achieving your financial goals, typically focusing on financial independence as the primary objective.
For situations where projections show less than the desired results, we may make recommendations,
including those that may impact the original projections by adjusting certain variables (e.g., working
longer, saving more, spending less, taking more risk with investments).
If you are near retirement or already retired, advice may be given on appropriate distribution strategies
to minimize the likelihood of running out of money or having to adversely alter spending during your
retirement years.
• Risk Management: A risk management review includes an analysis of your exposure to major risks that
could have a significantly adverse effect on your financial picture, such as premature death, disability,
property and casualty losses, or the need for long-term care planning. Advice may be provided on ways
to minimize such risks and about weighing the costs of purchasing insurance versus the benefits of doing
so and, likewise, the potential cost of not purchasing insurance (“self-insuring”).
• Tax Planning Strategies: Advice may include ways to minimize current and future income taxes as a
part of your overall financial planning picture. For example, we may make recommendations on which
type of account(s) or specific investments should be owned based in part on their “tax efficiency,” with
consideration that there is always a possibility of future changes to federal, state or local tax laws and
rates that may affect your situation.
We recommend that you consult with a qualified tax professional before initiating any tax planning
strategy, and we may provide you with contact information for accountants or attorneys who specialize
in this area if you wish to hire someone for such purposes. We will participate in meetings or phone
calls between you and your tax professional with your approval.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
We offer the same suite of services to all of our clients. However, specific client financial plans and their
implementation are dependent upon a client’s current situation (income, tax levels, and risk tolerance levels)
and is used to construct a client specific plan to aid in the selection of a portfolio that matches restrictions,
needs, and targets.
Wrap Fee Programs
We do not participate in wrap fee programs.