Our Advisory Business
Counterweight PW is a registered investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”). The Adviser was founded in 2023 by Nicholas J. Murphy who is the Adviser’s principal owner.
Services
Counterweight PW offers asset management and financial planning with an emphasis on building
portfolios designed to meet the needs of our clients. Our focus is on helping you develop and execute
plans that are designed to build and preserve your wealth. We are available during normal business hours
either by telephone, fax, email, or in person by appointment to answer your questions.
Active Asset Management
Tailored Asset Management Services
As part of the active asset management process, we will meet with you to discuss your financial
circumstances, investment goals and objectives, and to determine your risk tolerance. We will ask you to
provide statements summarizing current investments, income and other earnings, recent tax returns,
retirement plan information, other assets and liabilities, wills and trusts, insurance policies, and other
pertinent information.
Based on the information you share with us, we will analyze your situation and tailor a portfolio with
appropriate asset allocations and investment strategy[ies]. Our recommendations and ongoing
management are based upon your investment goals, objectives and risk tolerance. We will monitor the
account, trade as necessary, and communicate regularly with you.
We will work with you on an ongoing basis to evaluate your asset allocation as well as rebalance your
portfolio to keep it in line with your goals as necessary. We will be reasonably available to help you with
questions about your account.
* Please note that pursuant to the investment advisory agreement you are obligated to notify us promptly
when your financial situation, goals, objectives, or needs change. *
You shall have the ability to impose reasonable restrictions on the management of your account, including
the ability to instruct us not to purchase certain mutual funds, stocks or other securities. These
restrictions can be a specific company security, industry sector, asset class, or any other restriction you
request and should be provided in writing.
Under certain conditions, securities from outside accounts may be transferred into your advisory account;
however, unless instructed otherwise, we will recommend that you sell any security if we believe that it
is not suitable for the current recommended investment strategy. When applicable, trading will be
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required to meet initial allocation targets, after substantial cash deposits that require investment
allocation, and/or after a request for a withdrawal that requires liquidation of a position.
When applicable, your account will need to be rebalanced or reallocated in order to reestablish the
targeted percentages of your initial asset allocation. This rebalancing or reallocation will occur as required
or pursuant to the schedule we have determined together.
You will be responsible for all tax consequences resulting from the sale of any security, rebalancing or
reallocation of the account. You are responsible for any taxable events in these instances. We are not
tax professionals and do not give tax advice. However, we will work with your tax professionals to assist
you with tax planning.
You will be notified of any purchases or sales through trade confirmations and statements that are
provided by the custodian. These statements list the total value of the account, itemize all transaction
activity, and list the types, amounts, and total value of securities held. You will at all times maintain full
and complete ownership rights to all assets held in your account, including the right to withdraw securities
or cash, proxy voting and receiving transaction confirmations.
We will not provide you with quarterly performance statements, but you will receive them from your
custodian.
Financial Planning and/or Consulting
We provide financial planning services on topics such as retirement planning, risk management, college
savings, cash flow, debt management, work benefits, and estate and incapacity planning.
Financial planning is an 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 affect and are affected 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.
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:
● Business Planning: We provide consulting services for clients who currently operate their own
business, are considering starting a business, or are planning for an exit from their current business. Under
this type of engagement, we work with you to assess your current situation, identify your objectives, and
develop a plan aimed at achieving your goals.
● Cash Flow and Debt Management: We will conduct a review of your income and expenses to
determine your current surplus or deficit along with advice on prioritizing how any surplus should be used
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or how to reduce expenses if they exceed your income. Advice may also be provided on which debts to
pay off first based on factors such as the interest rate of the debt and any income tax ramifications. We may
also recommend what we believe to be an appropriate cash reserve that should be considered for
emergencies and other financial goals, along with a review of accounts (such as money market funds) for
such reserves, plus strategies to save desired amounts.
● College Savings: Includes projecting the amount that will be needed to achieve college or other post-
secondary education funding goals, along with advice on ways for you to save the desired amount.
Recommendations as to savings strategies are included, and, if needed, we will review your financial
picture as it relates to eligibility for financial aid or the best way to contribute to grandchildren (if
appropriate).
● Employee Benefits Optimization: We will provide review and analysis as to whether you, as an
employee, are taking the maximum advantage possible of your employee benefits. If you are a business
owner, we will consider and/or recommend the various benefit programs that can be structured to meet
both business and personal retirement goals.
● 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
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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 significant adverse impact 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 impact 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.
Comprehensive Financial Planning
This service involves working one-on-one with a planner over an extended period of time. By paying a
monthly/quarterly retainer, clients get continuous access to a planner who will work with them to design
their plan. The planner will monitor the plan, recommend any changes and ensure the plan is up to date.
Upon desiring a comprehensive plan, a client will be taken through establishing their goals and values
around money. They will be required to provide information to help complete the following areas of
analysis: net worth, cash flow, insurance, credit scores/reports, employee benefit, retirement planning,
insurance, investments, college planning and estate planning. Once the client’s information is reviewed,
their plan will be built and analyzed, and then the findings, analysis and potential changes to their current
situation will be reviewed with the client. Clients subscribing to 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. If a follow up meeting is required, we will meet at the client's convenience.
The plan and the client’s financial situation and goals will be monitored throughout the year and follow-
up phone calls and emails will be made to the client to confirm that any agreed upon action steps have
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been carried out. On an annual basis there will be a full review of this plan to ensure its accuracy and
ongoing appropriateness. Any needed updates will be implemented at that time.
Retirement Account Advice
When Counterweight PW provides investment advice to Clients regarding Client’s retirement plan
account or individual retirement account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the
Employee governing retirement accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with Client’s
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.
Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
● Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (prudent advice).
● Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal advice).
● Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments.
● Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest.
● Charge no more than is reasonable for our services.
● Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
Retirement Plan Rollovers
A client leaving an employer typically has four options (and may engage in a combination of these
options): 1) leave the money in the former employer’s plan, if permitted, 2) roll over the assets to
his/her new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted, 3) rollover to an Individual
Retirement Account (IRA), or 4) cash out the account value (which could, depending upon the client’s
age, result in adverse tax consequences). Counterweight PW may recommend a client roll over plan
assets to an IRA managed by Counterweight PW. As a result, Counterweight PW may earn an asset- based
fee; however, a recommendation that a client or prospective client leave their plan assets with a
previous employer may or may not result in compensation to Counterweight PW. Counterweight PW has
an economic incentive to encourage an investor to roll plan assets into an IRA that Counterweight PW
will manage. There are various factors that Counterweight PW may consider before recommending a
rollover, including but not limited to: 1) the investment options available in the plan versus the
investment options available in an IRA, 2) fees and expenses in the plan versus the fees and expenses in
an IRA, 3) the services and responsiveness of the plan’s investment professionals versus those of
Counterweight PW, 4) required minimum distributions and age considerations, and 5) employer stock
tax consequences, if any. No client is under any obligation to roll over plan assets to an IRA managed by
Counterweight PW.
ERISA Fiduciary
We provide comprehensive retirement plan services aimed to balance the needs of your
business with those of your employees to help build strong futures.
Depending on the scope of engagement, we can act as your corporate retirement plan’s.
• ERISA Section 3(38) Fiduciary
or
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• ERISA Section 3(21) Consultant
Both parties acknowledge that if the Account is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended (ERISA), the following provisions will apply:
• The Adviser acknowledges that it is a “fiduciary” with respect to the Client as that term is defined
under Section 3(21)(A) of ERISA.
• The person signing this Agreement on behalf of the Client acknowledges its status as a “named
fiduciary” with respect to the control and management of the assets held in the Account and
agrees to notify the Adviser promptly of any change in the identity of the named fiduciary with
respect to the Account.
• The Adviser agrees to obtain and maintain an ERISA bond satisfying the requirements of Section
412 of ERISA and include the Adviser and its members, agents, and employees among those
insured under that bond unless provided by the Plan.
When delivering ERISA fiduciary services, we will perform those services for the retirement plan as a
fiduciary and will act in good faith and with the degree of diligence, care and skill that a prudent person
rendering similar services would exercise under similar circumstances. In our capacity as a 3(21) plan
fiduciary, we will conduct research to determine appropriate investment selections and allocations and
to project potential ranges of returns and market values over various time periods and using various cash
flows to assist the plan sponsor in determining the appropriate model(s)investment(s) for the retirement
plan.
Under this arrangement the Adviser is appointed by the plan sponsor or trustee to determine a
recommended lineup of investments to be included in the Plan. These recommendations are presented
to the Plan Sponsor, who has the ultimate responsibility to accept or reject the recommendation. The
Adviser will not have any further responsibility to communicate instructions to any third-party, including
the custodian, and/or third-party administrator. The Adviser will/will not communicate directly with the
recordkeeper regarding administrative and recordkeeping matters arising under the Adviser’s investment
advisory agreement with the Plan Sponsor, or more generally about the recordkeeper’s services to the
Plan.
The Adviser will provide the Plan Sponsor with a sample investment policy statement. Each retirement
Plan Sponsor should adopt a final investment policy statement (“IPS”) which serves as a guide for the
Adviser’s investment advisory services. The Adviser offers the following 3(21) services:
• Plan design and asset selection consultation
• Develop and annually review Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”)
• Develop investment menu according to the IPS
• Review plan sponsor’s stated financial criteria for each investment option
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• Monitor each investment option according to the IPS
• Quarterly portfolio statements, rate of return reports, asset allocation statements
• Provide investment research and performance information on investment options
• Investment option replacement guidance
• Personal consultations with the plan sponsor as necessary
• Develop Plan Investment Committee Charter, as needed
• Fiduciary due diligence assistance
• Attendance at Plan Committee and other meetings
• Annual Fiduciary Plan Review
• Fiduciary education services to Plan Committee
• Participant education, guidance, and enrollment
• Vendor coordination assistance
• Benchmarking services
The Adviser will conduct research to determine appropriate investment selections and allocations and to
project potential ranges of returns and market values over various time periods and using various cash
flows to assist the Plan Sponsor in determining the appropriate investment options for the retirement
plan.
The data used to select the investment options is based on estimated, forward-looking performance of
various asset classes and subclasses to create our forward-looking capital markets assumptions (e.g.,
expected return, expected standard deviation, correlation, etc.). Past performance and the return
estimates of the asset classes and the indices that correspond to these asset classes are not representative
of actual future performance. Actual results could differ, based on various factors including the expenses
associated with the management of the portfolio, the portfolio’s securities versus the securities
comprising the various indices and general market conditions. Before a specific investment is selected,
other factors such as economic trends, which can influence the choice of investments and risk tolerance,
should be considered. The Adviser has the responsibility and authority to recommend the investment line
up including evaluating investment managers and mutual fund companies, individual mutual funds, and
money market funds which will be retained or replaced. The Plan Sponsor has the responsibility and
authority to make the final decision regarding what investments to include and when to add or exclude a
specific security.
The Client confirms that any instructions that have been given to the Adviser with regard to the Account
are consistent with the governing plan documents and investment policy statements of the plan.
Except as otherwise provided under ERISA the Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Client in connection with the matters to which this
Agreement relates except a loss resulting from the Adviser’s breach of its fiduciary duty, negligence,
misconduct or bad faith.
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The Adviser is not (i) the “administrator” of the Plan as defined in § 3(16)(A) of ERISA or (ii) the “plan
administrator” of the Plan as defined in Section 414(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the “Code”).
The Adviser is neither a law firm nor a public accounting firm and Adviser will not provide legal or
accounting advice.
The Client acknowledges that the services covered by this Agreement are consultative and give no
investment authority (“discretion”) or responsibility to the Adviser over any assets of the Plan or
Participant regardless of how and where the assets are held. Throughout the term of this Agreement,
the Plan or Participant retains full discretion to supervise, manage and direct the assets which are held
with any affiliated or unaffiliated third-party.
The Adviser encourages plan sponsors to consult with other professional advisors since we do not provide
tax or legal advice that may affect asset classes or allocations. The Adviser will apply any guidelines the
client supplies, as directed, however, compliance with these restrictions or guidelines is the client’s
responsibility.
Discretionary 3(38) Fiduciary Services
When a client engages the Adviser to perform “3(38) Fiduciary Services”, the Adviser acts as an
“investment manager” (as defined in Section 3(38) of ERISA) with respect to the performance of
discretionary fiduciary investment services. Under this arrangement the Adviser is appointed by the Plan
Sponsor or trustee and accepts discretion over plan assets and assumes full responsibility and liability for
fiduciary functions concerning decisions related to the plan assets.
Under this arrangement the Adviser is appointed by the plan sponsor or trustee and accepts discretion
over plan assets and assumes full responsibility and liability for fiduciary functions concerning decisions
related to the plan assets. The Adviser will review the investment options available to the Plan through
documents provided by the Plan Sponsor and notifies the Plan’s record-keeper and/or the Plan Sponsor
the Adviser’s instructions to add, remove and/or replace these specific investment options offered to Plan
participants and/or used for administrative purposes under the Plan, according to the criteria set forth in
guidelines selected by the Plan Sponsor. The Plan Sponsor retains all authority, responsibility and
decision-making for investment options not available on the Plan record-keeper’s platform (i.e., “non-
core” investment options, such as employer stock, plan loans, self-directed brokerage accounts, frozen
guaranteed investment contracts, and life insurance).
The Adviser will retain final decision-making authority with respect to removing and/or replacing
investments in the core lineup. The Plan Sponsor will not have responsibility to communicate instructions
to any third-party, custodian and/or third-party administrator.
The data used to determine the investment options is based on estimated, forward-looking performance
of various asset classes and subclasses to create our forward-looking capital markets assumptions (e.g.,
expected return, expected standard deviation, correlation, etc.). Past performance and the return
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estimates of the asset classes and the indexes that correspond to these asset classes are not
representative of actual future performance. Actual results could differ, based on various factors
including the expenses associated with the management of the portfolio, the portfolio’s securities versus
the securities comprising the various indexes and general market conditions. Before a specific investment
is selected, other factors such as economic trends, which can influence the choice of investments and risk
tolerance, should be considered. The Adviser has the responsibility and authority to determine the
investment line up including evaluating investment managers and mutual fund companies, individual
mutual funds, and money market funds which will be retained or replaced.
The Adviser will also monitor the current managed investment line up including the investment’s
performance compared to an applicable benchmark. If the Adviser determines that a fund no longer
meets the criteria, they will select alternatives and replace them.
Other Optional Retirement Plan Services
Plan Structure
We will assist our client in evaluating the current plan’s structure to determine if a change in the design
of the plan better suits the needs of plan participants. We will facilitate any changes with the appropriate
parties including the third-party administrator, record keeper, and custodian as well as facilitating the
execution of the required plan document amendments or new plan documents. However, we will not
draft any amendments as an attorney or a TPA will need to perform this service.
Investment Committee
We will assist you in the establishment of the Investment Committee (if a Committee is deemed
appropriate) and the establishment of a formal investment committee charter, delineating committee
responsibilities and fiduciary roles. We will also serve on the Committee in a non-fiduciary capacity if
needed.
The Investment Committee will be charged with the fiduciary responsibility of the prudent management
of the investment portfolio, selecting and retaining professional advisors to the portfolio including
investment managers, investment consultants, custodians, attorneys, and clerical staff, and the
establishment, execution, and interpretation of an Investment Policy Statement for the portfolio. We will
assist the Investment Committee in meeting the committee’s responsibilities according to the investment
committee charter, and fulfilling its fiduciary duty to the plan, including their review of service providers,
third-party administration firms, daily record keeper, and custodian to ensure that their services, along
with ours, remain competitive to other alternatives that are available to the client.
Investment Policy Service
Our Investment Policy Service is designed to assist you in creating a written investment policy statement
(“IPS”) to document the plan’s investment goals and objectives as well as certain policies governing the
investment of assets. The IPS also identifies an investment strategy that seeks to attain the plan’s goals.
The service is generally designed for corporate retirement plans that are managed on a non-discretionary
basis.
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We will assist the Investment Committee with the establishment, execution, and interpretation of the
Investment Policy Statement. The Investment Policy Statement serves as a guide to assist the Investment
Committee in effectively supervising, monitoring, and evaluating the investment of the plan’s assets. We
will prepare a draft of the IPS based upon information furnished by you and your firm designed to profile
various factors for the account such as investment objectives, risk tolerances, projected cash flow, and
demographics of your retirement plan participants. It is the client’s responsibility to provide all necessary
information for the preparation of the IPS, particularly any limitations imposed by law or otherwise. This
draft IPS is then submitted to you for review and approval. We recommend that your professional
advisors, such as an attorney, actuary, and/or accountant, also review the IPS. The review and acceptance
of the IPS is the responsibility of the plan fiduciary and your retirement program’s governing entity.
Upon client’s final approval, the IPS is ready to be sent to client’s Investment Committee. It is client’s
responsibility to confirm the Investment Committee’s acceptance of the IPS, and it is the Investment
Committee’s responsibility to adhere to the IPS in managing the retirement program. We encourage you
to review accounts periodically to verify investment committee’s compliance with the IPS.
The Investment Policy Statement will be reviewed at least annually to determine whether stated
investment objectives are still relevant and the continued feasibility of achieving those objectives.
However, the Investment Policy Statement is not expected to vary much from year to year and the IPS
will not be updated to account for short-term changes in market conditions or the economic environment.
Participant Meetings
We will conduct plan participant meetings when a change is made either to the structure of the plan or if
the investment lineup changes as a result of the decisions of the Investment Committee. We will detail
the changes being made, how it affects the current participants, review the current investment
opportunities, how participants can make changes to their investment selections, and will answer any and
all questions a participant presents to us. We will review with the participants how to select the
investments.
Reporting
We will send a quarterly performance report detailing the overall performance of the plan’s assets and a
detailed list of the investment holdings.
Wrap Fee
The Adviser does not sponsor or participate in a third-party sponsored wrap fee program.
As of December 31, 2023, we have assets under management of $137,008,121 all of which are managed
on a discretionary basis. Additionally, the Firm has $20,477,059 of assets under advisement on a
nondiscretionary basis in retirement accounts.
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