Description of Advisory Firm
Zenith Solutions, Inc. is registered as an Investment Adviser with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). Zenith was founded in May 2019 as an LLC and converted to a Corporation
in August 2022. Zenith first became registered to perform advisory business in July 2019. Jason
M. Ray and Chelsea Ransom-Cooper are the principal shareholders of Zenith. James Ray and
Partheev Shah are also shareholders of Zenith but are not involved in any of the firm’s advisory
activities. Zenith reports $81,565,628 in discretionary Assets Under Management as of March
19, 2024, and $0 in non-discretionary assets under management.
Types of Advisory Services
Clients retain Zenith to provide wealth planning services to the client in accordance with the
packages set forth below.
Project-Based Financial Plan. This service involves working individually with a Client to
define their financial positions and provide a framework for future financial decision-
making. We research and deliver helpful advice on the different options available to the
client. In exchange for a one-time fee, the Client receives deliverables to illustrate their
financial position and advice on future action, along with at least 2 meetings with a Zenith
wealth advisor.
Financial consultation. This service consists of a hands-on wealth planning session
offered at a fixed fee agreed upon at the beginning of the work.
Ongoing wealth planning. By paying a one-time or periodic fee, Clients will be taken
through our planning process to develop and implement their plan. In general, the wealth
plan will address various areas of concern. The Client and Zenith will work together to
select specific areas to cover.
All three services require Clients to provide information to complete the following areas of
analysis: net worth, goal setting, cash flow, investments, business planning, employee benefits,
tax planning, retirement planning, college savings, insurance, and estate planning. Clients will
receive an electronic report with a detailed plan designed to achieve their objectives. Clients will
be engaged on a periodic basis to review this plan and adjust to ensure accuracy, ongoing
appropriateness, and effectiveness. If a follow-up meeting is required, Zenith will meet at the
Client's convenience.
Net worth: As a starting point to the financial planning process, we define a net worth for
clients based on their assets and liabilities. We will craft an analysis on how to improve
the Client’s net worth over time.
Financial Goals: We will help Clients identify financial goals and develop a plan to reach
them. We will identify what Clients 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Insurance: Review of existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health, disability,
long-term care, liability, home, and automobile.
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 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 Preparation and Planning: Advice may include ways to manage 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 the 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 will participate in meetings or phone calls between you and your tax
professional with your approval. The fees associated with tax preparation and tax
planning services are separate and in addition to your ongoing financial planning or
advisory fees, if applicable, and are disclosed in Item 5.
Investment Management Services: Zenith is also in the business of managing individually tailored
savings and long-term investment portfolios. Our firm provides continuous advice to a Client
regarding the investment of Client funds based on the individual plans and needs of the Client.
Through the net worth focused planning sessions and additional conversations, we develop a
Client's personal investment policy with an asset allocation target to create and manage a
portfolio based on that policy and allocation targets. We will also review and discuss a Client’s
prior investment history, as well as family composition and background.
Held Away Accounts: We provide an additional service for accounts not directly
managed by our firm where we do not have discretion. We will regularly review the
current holdings and available investment options in these accounts, monitor the
accounts, and provide recommendations to the Client with regards to rebalancing and
implementing our strategies as necessary.
Account supervision is guided by the stated Investment Policy Statement and plan of
the Client (e.g., maximum capital appreciation, growth, income, or growth, and
income), as well as tax considerations. Clients may impose reasonable restrictions on
investing in certain securities, types of securities, or industry sectors. Fees pertaining
to this service are outlined in Item 5 of this brochure.
When appropriate, we utilize the services of an unaffiliated, third-party investment
adviser, Ethic INC, (‘Ethic” or “Outside Manager(s)”) to assist with the management of
Client accounts. Ethic’s CRD number is 282827. We assist Clients in selecting an
appropriate allocation model, completing the Outside Manager’s investor profile
questionnaire, interacting with the Outside Manager and reviewing the Outside
Manager. Our review process and analysis of Outside Managers is further discussed
in Item 8 of this Brochure. Additionally, we will meet with the Client on a periodic basis
to discuss changes in their personal or financial situation, suitability, and any new or
revised restrictions to be applied to the account.
Business Planning Services
Clients retain Zenith to provide business advisory services to the client in accordance with the menu
of options listed below. Each client engagement is customized based on their business’s needs,
complexity, and desired timeline for completion.
Fractional CFO: Our team offers financial management, accounting, and financial planning
services. We provide periodic performance reviews,and investor reporting, and act as stewards
of financial health.
Due Diligence Consulting: Zenith conducts deep due diligence, offering financial analysis,
market landscape assessments, and intellectual property reviews. We help present
opportunities to stakeholders and assess portfolio fit.
Fundraising Consulting: We assist in investor sourcing and suitability analysis, manage data
rooms, and draft term sheets. We provide capital structure strategy consulting and ensure
equitable deal structures.
Tactical and Strategic Advisory: Zenith offers ongoing advice on growth strategies,
operational budgets, and scenario analysis. We facilitate financial projects and align tactical
actions with business strategy.
Speaking Engagements / Educational Workshops
We may provide speaking engagements and educational workshops for groups seeking general
advice on various areas of personal finance. These sessions are purely educational in nature and do
not involve the sale of any investment products. Information presented will not be based on an
individual’s need, nor does Zenith provide individualized investment advice to attendees during these
sessions. Topics covered during these sessions will be determined by the client and Zenith.
Client Tailored Services and Client Imposed Restrictions
Zenith offers the same suite of services to all of our Clients. However, specific Client financial
plans and their implementation are dependent upon the Client Investment Policy Statement which
outlines each 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 of the Client.
Wrap Fee Programs
Zenith does not provide investment management services through a Wrap Fee Program.