The Wealth Advantage Group, Inc. (WA Group, Firm, We and Us) is an Ohio corporation founded in
2002. The principal owner of the firm is Ken A. Dodson, PFS, AIF. Major decisions of a strategic
and administrative nature are undertaken by Mr. Dodson. WA Group is a fee-only financial planning
and investment management firm. Neither the firm nor its owners/employees receive any form of
commission income.
The Wealth Advantage Group filed its initial application to become registered as an investment
adviser with the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission in March 2024.
Our firm requires that anyone having duties related to providing investment advice possess a CPA,
PFS, CFA or CFP designation, FINRA Series licensing and/or experience judged to be comparable.
Clients are required to enter into a Financial and Investment Advisory Agreement setting the terms
and conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing the scope of the services to be
performed. If requested by the client, our firm may recommend other professionals or service
providers. The client is under no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended
professional. The client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions.
Financial Planning
WA Group offers broad-based financial planning services based upon an analysis of each client’s
individual needs. The process typically begins with an initial complementary consultation. During or
after the initial meeting, if the client engages us for financial planning services, pertinent information
about the client’s current financial condition is collected. We will conduct follow up interviews as
needed for the purpose of reviewing or collecting additional data and establishing goals. Once such
information has been studied and analyzed, a written plan – designed to achieve the client’s expressed
financial goals and objectives – will be reviewed and discussed with the client.
To the extent requested by the client, financial planning advice may be rendered in the areas of
retirement planning, tax and cash flow planning, estate planning, insurance analysis, education
funding strategies, and business planning including compensation and benefits planning, among
others.
Financial plans are based on the client’s financial situation at the time the plan is presented and are
based on financial information disclosed to us. Clients are advised that certain assumptions are
required to be made with respect to interest and inflation rates, the use of past trends and performance
of investment markets and the economy. Since past performance is no indication of future returns, we
cannot offer guarantees or promises that specified goals and objectives will be met. It is important that
we be notified promptly if a client’s financial condition, goals, or needs have changed.
Investment Management
WA Group provides ongoing and continuous investment
management services on a fee-only basis.
We utilize a degree of care, skill and diligence that a prudent person acting in a fiduciary capacity
would use. As of December 31, 2023, WA Group provided advice on $125,548,188 in assets. All
but $542,448 of these assets are managed on a discretionary basis.
WA Group does not take custody of client funds or securities. Instead, our clients utilize a custodian,
mutual fund group, or variable annuity issuer that is compatible with the investment strategies desired
by the client.
Clients desiring portfolio design and asset management services are not required to utilize any other
services of WA Group. Investment strategies primarily invest in mutual funds (open end, closed end
and exchange traded funds) or the separate accounts of variable annuity and life contracts. However,
in some circumstances, WA Group employs strategies that invest in individual equity and debt
securities.
WA Group will typically be granted discretion and authority to manage client accounts according to
an agreed upon investment strategy. Accordingly, WA Group is authorized to perform various
functions, at the client’s expense, without further approval from the client. Such functions include
making investment decisions on the type of securities purchased/sold and the amount of securities
purchased/sold. Once the portfolio is constructed, we provide ongoing supervision and re-balancing
of the portfolio as changes in market conditions and client circumstances may require.
When it has been determined to be in the best interest of the client, WA Group may recommend
annuities. Annuities recommended are no-load, low expense contracts issued under a low cost
platform. WA Group does not receive any commissions from any such insurance company
recommended.
Clients who wish to impose restrictions on investing in certain types of securities must do so in writing.
Each client is advised that it remains his or her responsibility to promptly notify WA Group if there
is ever any change in the client’s financial situation or investment objectives. All client accounts are
reviewed on a periodic basis, at a minimum twice yearly, and clients are invited to participate in
person.
Should they occur, losses in client accounts resulting from WA Group’s trade errors shall be
reimbursed, but WA Group shall not give credit for errors resulting in market gains. WA Group retains
the net gains to use against any future losses from trade errors that may occur.
A copy of this brochure shall be provided to each client prior to, or at the same time as, the execution
of the Financial and Investment Advisory Agreement. Any client who has not received a copy of WA
Group’s written brochure at least 48 hours prior to executing the Financial and Investment Advisory
Agreement shall have five business days subsequent to executing the agreement to terminate the
agreement without penalty.