Item 5 Additional Compensation ...........................................................................................................22
Item 6 Supervision ......................................................................................................................................22
Supervised Person Brochure .......................................................................................................... 23
Part 2B of Form ADV .......................................................................................................................... 23
Heather M. Fowler .......................................................................................................................................23
Brochure Supplement (Part 2B of Form ADV) .................................................................................24
Principal Executive Officers and Management Persons – Heather M. Fowler .....................24
Item 2 Educational Background and Business Experience .........................................................24
Item 3 Disciplinary Information ............................................................................................................24
v
Item 5 Additional Compensation ...........................................................................................................24
Item 6 Supervision ......................................................................................................................................24
Firm Description
A4 Wealth Advisors LLC, (“A4”) was founded in 2010. John Burke Balcerzak is a 100%
owner. Heather Fowler is the Chief Compliance Officer.
A4 provides personalized confidential financial planning, investment management and
recommends Third Party Money Managers to individuals, pension and profit sharing plans,
trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. Advice is provided through consultation with
the Client and may include: determination of financial objectives, identification of financial
problems, cash flow management, tax planning, insurance review, investment
management, education funding, retirement planning, and estate planning.
A4 is a fee-based financial planning firm. The firm does not sell annuities, insurance, stocks,
bonds, mutual funds, limited partnerships, or other commissioned products. The firm’s
managing member and select IAR’s are affiliated with an entity that sells financial
insurance products.
A4 does not act as a custodian of Client assets. The Client always maintains asset control.
An evaluation of each Client's initial situation is provided to the Client, often in the form of
a net worth statement or risk analysis. Periodic reviews are also communicated to provide
reminders of the specific courses of action that need to be taken.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) are engaged directly
by the Client on an as-needed basis. Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the Client in
the event they should occur.
Types of Advisory Services
ASSET MANAGEMENT
A4 offers discretionary and non-discretionary asset management services to advisory
Clients. A4 will offer Clients ongoing asset management services through determining
individual investment goals, time horizons, objectives, and risk tolerance. Investment
strategies, investment selection, asset allocation, portfolio monitoring and the overall
investment program will be based on the above factors.
Discretionary
When the Client provides A4 discretionary authority the Client will sign a limited
trading authorization or equivalent. A4 will have the authority to execute transactions
in the account without seeking Client approval on each transaction.
When deemed appropriate for the Client, A4 may hire Sub-Advisors to manage all or a
portion of the assets in the Client account. A4 has full discretion to hire and fire Sub-
Advisors as they deem suitable. Sub-Advisors will maintain the models or investment
strategies agreed upon between Sub-Advisor and A4. Sub-Advisors execute all trades on
behalf of A4 in Client accounts. A4 will be responsible for the overall direct relationship
with the Client. A4 retains the authority to terminate the Sub-Advisor relationship at
A4’s discretion.
Non-Discretionary
When the Client elects to use A4 on a non-discretionary basis, A4 will determine the
securities to be bought or sold and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold.
However, A4 will obtain prior Client approval on each and every transaction before
executing any transaction.
As part of a Client’s overall portfolio, A4 may advise certain qualified Clients to invest in a
non-traded REIT or other alternative investments. For those Clients investing in REIT’s/
alternatives, A4 will monitor them at least quarterly (more often if requested by Client) to
discuss their overall financial position and objective in addition to specifically discussing
the distributions from the REIT. A4 will help the Client determine if REIT distribution will
be used for income or re-investment. A4 will also
monitor any material changes with the
REIT/alternative and advise when shares should be redeemed and provide ongoing
servicing for these accounts.
Betterment Platform
A4 offers discretionary direct asset management services to advisory clients utilizing The
Betterment for Advisors platform for digital services. On this platform, A4 has the
discretion to delegate the management of all or part of the Assets to one or more
independent investment managers or independent investment management programs
(“Independent Managers”). To the extent utilized, Independent Managers will have limited
power-of-attorney and trading authority over those assets A4 directs to them for
management. A4 will supervise the Independent Managers and monitor and review asset
allocation and asset performance. A4 may terminate or change Independent Managers
when, in A4’s sole discretion, A4 believes such termination or changes is in your best
interest.
CO-ADVISOR
A4 has entered a Co-Advisor relationship with Gradient Investments, LLC (GI). A4 will
provide information to each client regarding the services offered by GI as the portfolio
manager. A4 will assist the Client to determine the appropriate model selection based on
the Client’s investment objectives and risk tolerance. A4 will have full discretion on an
ongoing basis to select suitable models to maintain client’s risk tolerance. A4 will share in
the management fees charged by GI as described in Item 5 of this brochure.
A4 has entered into a Co-Advisor relationship with Flexible Plan Investments, Ltd. (Flex
Plan). A4 will maintain ongoing relationships with Clients through personal contacts,
including personal visits, email and telephone conversations, personalized follow-up
mailings and presentations. A4 will initially and at least annually, consult with each Client
regarding Client’s financial condition, whether there have been any changes on the Client’s
financial situation or investment objective and whether the Client wishes to impose any
reasonable restrictions on the management of the Client’s account or reasonably modify
existing restrictions. A4 will also initially, and as necessary, conduct an analysis to
determine whether the selected strategies are prudent for the Client.
ASSETS HELD AWAY
A4 will work with individuals on determining their individual investment goals, time
horizons, objectives, and risk tolerance. Investment strategies, investment selection, and
asset allocation are based on the above factors. The accounts will be monitored on a
quarterly basis. A4 will provide recommendations to the client on a quarterly basis, but
implementation will be at the sole discretion of the client
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING
If financial planning services are applicable, the Client may choose to compensate A4 on a
negotiable fixed fee basis, an hourly fee basis or an a la carte fixed fee basis described in
detail under the “Fees and Compensation” section of this brochure. Services include but are
not limited to a thorough review of all applicable topics including Wills, Estate Plan/Trusts,
Investments, Taxes, and Insurance. A4 also offers individual, a la carte services. If a conflict
of interest exists between the interests of the investment advisor and the interests of the
Client, the Client is under no obligation to act upon the investment advisor’s
recommendation. If the Client elects to act on any of the recommendations, the Client is
under no obligation to effect the transaction through A4. Clients may terminate advisory
services with 30 days written notice.
THIRD PARTY MONEY MANAGERS
A4 has a dual arrangement to refer clients the services of Third Party Money Managers to
manage Client accounts. The relationship between A4 and TPM will be disclosed to the
Client in writing prior to commencement of the services. A4 will provide the following
services for TPM:
• Interview Client prior to referring Client to TPM in order to ascertain the Client’s
financial position, investment goals and objectives, investment limitations and
reasonable restrictions and risk tolerance;
• Provide TPM with a completed profile questionnaire;
• Provide the Client with a proposed investment policy statement and the investment
strategy best suited for the Client;
• Deliver TPM’s Disclosure Statement to Client; and
• Be the primary contact with the Client.
A4 will take into account the fees, rate of return, Client objectives and risk tolerance when
referring a money manager for the Client. The Client will agree in writing in the advisory
agreement to the selection of the specific money manager to be used. In such
circumstances, A4 receives referral fees from the Third Party Manager. This is detailed in
Item 10 of this brochure.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
The goals and objectives for each Client are documented in our Client files. Investment
strategies are created that reflect the stated goals and objectives. Clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities. Agreements may not be
assigned without Client consent.
Wrap Fee Programs
A4 does not participate in wrap fee programs.
Client Assets Under Management
A4 has the following assets under management:
Discretionary Amounts: Non-discretionary Amounts: Date Calculated:
$129,494,073 $15,804,143 April 25, 2024