Firm Description
Baldwin & Clarke Advisory Services, LLC. (“BCAS “) was founded in 1985 to meet the
financial planning, wealth transfer and investment needs of individuals, families,
businesses, charitable organizations and qualified retirement plans.
Asset Management: A client centric fee-based service that utilizes an institutional
investment process supported by an independent, open-architecture, “management of
managers” platform and robust tools and technology. We provide clients access to
global, traditional and alternative asset classes. Fees are charged pursuant to a
standard fee schedule agreed to by the client at the time the management account is
established and is based on the amount of assets under advisement. Fees may be
negotiable under special circumstances.
Private Client Group: Clients receive a comprehensive suite of services, all covered by
their asset management fee. We will leverage the capabilities from our Asset
Management and Financial Planning Services as stated herein and develop a working
plan to help the client meet his or her objectives. This could include portfolio planning
and design, asset allocation, a comprehensive financial plan, and estate planning
review, an estate plan and B&C WealthDirect. We may also coordinate additional
services provided by non-affiliated firms or individuals as deemed appropriate on a
case-by-case basis as required by the client.
Estate (Legacy) Planning: A comprehensive fee-based wealth transfer planning
approach that assists a family in creating and executing its legacy vision. This includes
the vision they have for themselves, their heirs and their community. In addition, the
planning may address the values, lessons learned, traditions and family history that are
important to a family, and develops strategies to pass those on to future generations.
Also, this will include advanced estate tax reduction strategies and enable multi-
generational wealth transfers based on the principles of accountability, responsibility,
and stewardship. Finally, in concert with a client’s current legal and tax advisory, we
recommend the strategies required for the tax efficient transfer of assets to future
generations. The objective is a perpetuation of family wealth in a manner that positively
impacts future generations and the communities in which they live.
Financial Planning: The firm also provides traditional comprehensive financial planning
on a fee basis. BCAS’s Comprehensive Financial Plan is a bespoke financial plan
developed with proprietary analytical tools to provide unbiased guidance to families
regarding education funding, retirement planning and risk management concerns. Will
and trust reviews and planning are also included.
Business Continuity and Succession Planning: The firm also provides planning services
to business owners which may include, Buy-Sell planning, Transition planning,
Executive Benefit planning, Business Owner Exit planning as well as Calculations of
Value, and BizEquity® reports.
Exit Planning for Business Owners: BCAS helps business owners plan for what may be
the biggest transaction of their business lives: the exit from their companies when they
want, to whom they want, and for what they want. BCAS uses a customized
comprehensive approach to create and implement a plan that could lead to a business
owner's successful exit from his or her business. BCAS's Exit Planning process helps
business owners position their companies and their personal affairs, so their exit is
more likely to produce the financial, tax and business continuity result they seek.
Calculation of Value: The Calculation of Value report is intended to provide an
approximate indication of value based upon the performance of a limited and mutually
agreed upon number of valuation procedures. The scope is limited in that many of the
factors that affect the ultimate value of the business, such as the local and national
economy, and the industry and its trends, may not have been extensively reviewed and
considered. This is not an “appraisal” or formal valuation, but rather a calculation using
a mutually agreed upon valuation methodology. A Calculation of Value is designed to
give the user an efficient and cost effective approach to determine the approximate fair
market value of a business. This estimate of value is a guideline and should not be
construed as a replacement for a complete, comprehensive valuation. A complete and
comprehensive formal valuation should be prepared as the basis for determining the
value of the business for any transfer, exchange, or transaction. This Calculation of
Value may not be
used to provide any testimony or be used formally for any tax or
ERISA, DOL, or any other legal purposes. The purpose of the valuation will be stated in
the engagement agreement and this calculation may not be used for any purpose other
than what is stated.
Principal Owners
The company is owned by Baldwin & Clarke Holding Company, LLC. Charles Baldwin
and John Clarke each own 50% of the outstanding membership units of the holding
company.
Types of Advisory Services
On a fee for service basis, BCAS provides personal financial planning, estate panning
and wealth transfer planning services as well as business continuity planning.
Additionally, BCAS provides investment supervisory (asset management) services and
charges a management fee based upon a percentage of assets under management.
As of December 31, 2023, BCAS managed $346,387,223 in assets. Approximately
$168,511,164 was managed on a discretionary basis; the remaining assets were
managed on a non-discretionary basis.
Tailored Relationships
Client portfolios are developed to meet the client's investment return and risk objectives.
This is usually accomplished through asset allocation modeling strategies. In all cases
client portfolio strategies will be implemented through a combination of rigorously
selected and monitored separate account managers, mutual funds, structured notes
and ETFs.
Agreements may not be assigned without client consent.
Types of Agreements
BCAS offers asset management and personal financial planning, estate planning and
wealth transfer planning services as well as business continuity planning, exit planning,
and Calculation of Value reports for our business clients, pursuant to mutually agreed
upon engagement agreements.
Asset Management
BCAS advises on mutual funds, separate account managers and ETFs whose
investments may include: exchange listed securities, securities traded over the counter,
corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, structured notes,
municipal securities, investment company securities (annuities, life insurance contracts,
mutual funds shares), U. S. government securities, derivatives, currency, commodities,
real estate and sovereign debt instruments.
Portfolio planning and design is geared to the client’s short and long-term objectives.
Existing investment assets are reviewed to determine if they are appropriately
structured or require revision to meet newly established objectives. An asset allocation
is developed to align with a client’s risk tolerance level and return objectives. Client
assets are then assigned to “best-in-class” asset managers for segment of the asset
allocation. Quarterly manager reviews are provided.
BCAS offers limited advice on individual stocks and bonds. Clients may hold individual
stocks and bonds in their account(s) and any transactions will be processed pursuant to
client direction, through their brokerage account, when appropriate. The brokerage firm
charges a fee for stock and bond trades. BCAS does not receive any compensation, in
any form, from such trades, from separate account managers or fund companies.
BCAS will provide research information on securities that clients express an interest in
and Portfolio Managers will provide opinions based on that research and industry
experience.
One person is associated with BCAS that is a registered representative with Lincoln
Financial Securities Corp (“LFSC”). The relevant associated person may pay a fee to
LFSC for its supervisory responsibilities pursuant to NASD Rule 94-44. This associated
person is not permitted to provide BCAS's asset management services to clients except
on a limited basis and only with prior approval from LFSC. The following person is
subject to these limitations: Scott LaValley.
Financial Planning
BCAS offers personal financial planning, estate planning and wealth transfer planning
services as well as business continuity planning, exit planning, and Calculation of Value
reports for our business clients.
B&C WealthDirect Services
BCAS offers access to a digital wealth management tool. The fee for this service may
be dependent upon the extent of other services being provided as well as the extent to
which the client wishes to take advantage of WealthDirect tools.
Termination of Agreement
A Client may terminate any of the aforementioned agreements at any time by notifying
BCAS in writing and paying a pro-rated fee for the time spent on the advisory
engagement prior to notification of termination.
BCAS may terminate the aforementioned agreements at any time by notifying the client
in writing.