Description of Services and Fees
Financial Strategies, Inc. is a registered investment adviser organized as a corporation under the
laws of the State of Wisconsin. We have been providing investment advisory services since 1991.
James Cantrell is our principal owner.
The following paragraphs describe our services and fees. Please refer to the description of each
investment advisory service listed below for information on how we tailor our advisory services to your
individual needs. As used in this brochure, the words "we", "our" and "us" refer to Financial Strategies,
Inc., and the words "you", "your" and "client" refer to you as either a client or prospective client of our
firm.
Private Client Service
Private Client Services are available to clients with $1 million or more in investable assets. Private
Client Service (PCS) is a dynamic, broad based financial planning and investment management
service. It encompasses ongoing support and coordination of your financial life and the ongoing
management of your investment portfolio. When you contract with our firm for PCS, we perform all, or
some, of the following services depending on your specific needs:
1. Financial Independence Planning
2. College Tuition and Expense Planning
3. Other Accumulation Goals Planning
4. Life Insurance Planning
5. Additional Insurance Planning
6. Estate Planning
7. Investment Management may include:
• Asset Allocation: Based upon data supplied by you or based upon a financial plan
developed by us through our financial planning services, we will develop an asset
allocation for your investment accounts.
• Existing vs. Ideal Portfolio: Our process includes discussion and direction regarding
the handling of existing investments. We will assess roadblocks that may exist and
must be addressed when transitioning from the existing portfolio to our ideal portfolio.
These roadblocks may include taxes, fees, penalties, and purchase restrictions.
• Investment Vehicle Selection: We will recommend specific investment vehicles with
which to implement the intended allocation, taking into account fees, expenses,
purchase constraints, and other factors affecting your investment decisions.
• Implementation: We will assist you in establishing the appropriate accounts,
transferring existing accounts, and establishing ongoing funding or withdrawal plans.
These accounts will be established at an approved custodian/broker/insurance firm
providing specialized services to independent, Fee-Only, investment advisors. These
accounts will be referred to as "managed assets" or "assets under management".
• Discretion: In accordance with documents executed with the
custodian/broker/insurance firm, you will grant to us the limited discretionary authority
to make trades, access information, and bill our fee to your account. This allows us to
execute the transactions necessary to implement your investment plan, and you
understand that we will do so without specific prior consultation with you.
Management Services: We will apply the benefit of our continuing study of economic
conditions, investment markets, and investment vehicles to your managed assets. On
the basis of these studies, we will, from time to time, adjust the asset allocation applied
to your managed assets. We will also replace existing or add new investment vehicles
to your investment mix as we deem appropriate for your situation. You understand that
we will make these investment decisions and execute the corresponding transactions in
your managed assets without specific prior consultation with you.
• Monitoring and Reporting: At the end of each period, we will provide you with a
statement setting forth the funds and securities which constitute your managed assets.
This report will provide historical rate of return information specifically for your managed
assets. This report will also show the fee calculation applied to your accounts. In
addition, you will receive account statements directly from all
custodian/broker/insurance firms with which you have accounts detailing current
holdings and all transactions including any fees paid directly to us.
For portfolio management services, clients grant our firm discretionary authority to manage their
account(s). Discretionary authorization allows us to determine the specific securities, and the
amounts of securities, to be purchased or sold for your account without your approval prior to each
transaction. Discretionary authority is granted in the investment advisory agreement you sign with
our firm and the appropriate trading authorization forms. You may limit our discretionary authority (for
example, limiting the types of securities that can be purchased for your account) by providing our firm
with your restrictions and guidelines in writing.
Financial Planning-Investment Management Services
This is a comprehensive personal financial planning and investment management service for clients
who want the benefit of our financial planning and investment management services but whose
circumstances do not qualify for Private Client Services. We address matters, when appropriate for
client circumstances, including retirement planning, estate planning, life insurance planning, and other
insurance planning. This comprehensive service also includes discretionary investment management
services.
Stand-Alone Investment Management Services
For clients that want us to manage their assets but whose circumstances do not qualify for our
Private Client Services, we provide standalone discretionary investment management services.
Financial Planning Only Services
We offer comprehensive financial planning services which typically involve covering all appropriate
aspects of a client's financial circumstances regarding the management of their financial resources
without investment management services, based upon an analysis of their individual needs and may
include but are not limited to addressing the following:
Auto, Homeowners, Umbrella Liability Insurance
• Review of current coverage and recommendations
Life Insurance
• Needs based analysis of Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
• Analysis and discussion of need for Disability Insurance
Long Term Care Insurance
• Discussion of Long-Term Care Insurance considerations
Estate Planning Assistance
• Discussion of the size and complexity of the estate and family situation
• Discussion of possible estate planning techniques for consideration
• Assistance in engaging an estate planning attorney for final recommendations and
preparation of legal documents
• Additional legal fees will apply and are your responsibility
If you retain our firm for financial planning services, we will meet with you to gather information about
your financial circumstances and objectives. We may also use financial planning software to
determine your current financial position and to define and quantify your long-term goals and
objectives. Once we specify those long-term objectives (both financial and non-financial), we will
develop shorter-term, targeted objectives. Once we review and analyze the information you provide to
our firm and the data derived from our financial planning software, we will deliver a written plan to you,
designed to help you achieve your stated financial goals and objectives.
Financial plans are based on your financial situation at the time we present the plan to you, and on the
financial information you provide to us. You must promptly notify our firm if your financial situation,
goals, objectives, or needs change.
You are under no obligation to act on our financial planning recommendations. Should you choose to
act on any of our recommendations, you are not obligated to implement the financial plan through any
of our other investment advisory services. Moreover, you may act on our recommendations by placing
securities transactions with any brokerage firm.
When we provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or individual
retirement account, we are fiduciaries 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 we make money creates some conflicts with your interests, so we
operate under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not put our interest ahead
of yours.
Types of Investments
We primarily offer advice on equity securities, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit,
municipal securities, investment company securities, and US Government securities. Additionally, we
may advise you on any type of investment that we deem appropriate based on your stated goals and
objectives. We may also provide advice on any type of investment held in your portfolio at the inception
of our advisory relationship.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2023, we provided continuous management services for approximately
$131,674,171 in client assets on a discretionary basis.