Ciccarelli Advisory Services Inc. (“CAS”) was founded with the goal of assisting our clients in every
aspect of their financial life. After four decades, that goal is still our vision. We strive to create
financial stability and independence for our clients and take a family focused approach to caring
for each and every client.
We have been an SEC registered Investment Advisor since 1984 and manage, as of September
30th, 2023 $1,148,449,416 of assets on a non-discretionary basis. As such, CAS provides
investment advisory services in a fiduciary capacity in accordance with the Advisers Act; the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”); and such other governing laws as
may be applicable within our particular relationship with you.
The principal owners of the firm are co-founders Kim Ciccarelli Kantor, President; and Raymond
F. Ciccarelli, Vice President.
Each of our Advisory Associates may offer all or any combination of the advisory services and
programs described herein to our clients (“you”), depending upon your unique situation and
goals and to the extent specifically requested by you. Prior to engaging Ciccarelli Advisory
Services to provide advisory services, you will be asked to enter into a Ciccarelli Advisory Services
Client Agreement with CAS setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement, describing
the scope of the services to be provided, and the relevant fees and fee-paying arrangements.
COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
In general, services will begin with a comprehensive financial management plan tailored to each
prospective CAS client. The planning process is organic and involves a close review of existing
financial positions of each prospective client and an investment plan for each client. However,
each client’s situation is unique and, as a result, financial plans vary in length and scope and in
certain instances are foregone in their entirety. Once the financial plan is mutually agreed-upon
we begin to implement the plan. On an ongoing basis we will meet with you to review your
financial journey.
In order to fully prepare a financial plan, we engage with you in a series of meetings. In these
meetings, we review your goals and investment objectives and formulate a plan that addresses
some or all of the following key issues: financial management; financial independence; cash flow
and budgeting; income tax planning; investment planning; risk management; estate planning;
legacy planning; and business succession planning. We focus on the specific personal goals
articulated by you, including, for example, how to achieve and maintain financial independence,
funding for children’s college education and/or providing adequate funds for dependents in the
event of death or disability. Each prospective client is expected to provide complete information
in all relevant areas. Careful consideration is given to subjective factors such as your prior
investment experience; ability and desire to manage your assets; your tolerance for risk; and
familiarity with various investment vehicles. The goal is to determine the optimum course of
action necessary to assist in realizing your short-term and long-term objectives. We will then
develop and propose a financial plan designed to meet your goals.
CAS recommends its full financial planning services only to those clients whose needs and
financial circumstances warrant such services. In other instances, for those clients who either do
not need or desire comprehensive financial planning services, CAS offers investment-only
services. As part of this service, an advisor will analyze your current investment portfolio and will,
as necessary, make recommendations relative to the portfolio and its holdings. Those
recommendations are based on your stated investment goals, objectives, time horizon, and risk
tolerance.
Similarly, some clients benefit from only receiving financial planning services. As part of this
service, we analyze your financial situation and prepare a financial plan for you but do not provide
specific investment recommendations or ongoing investment advisory/management services to
you.
Non-Discretionary Investment Management
CAS manages client assets on a non-discretionary basis; each client must approve each
recommendation before a specific trade can be placed. Following the initial implementation, we
review and monitor your portfolio for adherence to the agreed-upon securities.
Recommendations are based on your particular needs and goals. From time to time, we may
recommend
changes to the underlying securities to rebalance the portfolio, recommend
removing securities that no longer meet your goals and objectives, and address other changes to
your financial situation.
Tax Reduction Planning
Our tax reduction planning services may include a comprehensive review of your tax return to
identify and maximize tax reduction strategies, communication with your CPA to maximize
opportunities, complimentary consultation with your tax preparer, recommendations of tax
solutions including tax advantaged investments, and staying up-to-date on and presenting new
tax laws unique to your situation.
Retirement Income & Distribution Planning
Our retirement income and planning services may include analysis of your current and future
income needs, analysis of potential tax liabilities, ongoing development and implementation of
recommendations to fund your cash flow needs, recommendations for distribution of your
employer retirement plans, qualified plans, and IRAs; and analysis of the beneficiaries of your
IRAs to compliment your estate plan.
Family Wealth and Protection Planning
The family wealth and legacy planning services that we offer may include analysis of your existing
estate plan and addressing the most current inheritance tax regulations, complimentary
consultation and ongoing communication with your attorney, assistance in transferring your
assets to trusts designed for your unique family circumstances, providing guidance on the
appropriate and necessary steps in the event of the death of a loved one, review of beneficiary
designations and asset titling; solutions to help you meet your needs for long-term care,
disability, and life insurance protection; philanthropic planning to perpetuate your legacy and
foster your passions and relationships, and generational planning to assist your heirs in
developing financial literacy and leadership skills.
Retirement Plan Consulting Services
We provide retirement plan consulting services to employee benefit plans and their fiduciaries.
The services are designed to assist the plan sponsor (hereafter the “Company”) in meeting their
management and fiduciary obligations to the plan under the Employee Retirement Income
Securities Act (“ERISA”). Retirement consulting services will consist of general or specific advice,
and may include any one or all of the following: strategic planning and investment policy
development/review; plan review; plan cost and fee review; third party service provider liaison;
assessment of investments; and participant education and communication.
The Company may also engage Ciccarelli Advisory Services to provide additional services for
separate compensation which may include plan conversion; executive benefits review; and
coordination with other advisors, tax, accounting, or legal counsel.
We do not render legal, tax, nor accounting advice or prepare any legal documents for you. Your
personal attorney will be solely responsible for providing legal advice, legal opinions, legal
determinations, and legal documents. Your personal tax advisor or accountant will be solely
responsible for any tax or accounting services provided to you.
Advisory Insurance
To round out our comprehensive financial planning services, we can also offer you investment
advisory insurance product options in the form of fixed or variable annuities. This fee-based
relationship is designed to allow the custodian to debit your advisory fees directly from your
contract on a tax-favored basis. This means that when your management fees are drawn directly
from your contract no surrender period or withdrawal charges apply.
The sub-accounts chosen under this program are designed to meet your individual needs, stated
goals, and investment objectives. Additionally, you have the opportunity to place reasonable
restrictions on the types of investments to be held in your portfolio.
When you choose an advisory insurance option, we work with you to determine your risk profile
and investment objectives. Upon determining the design of your investment program, your
Advisor will make recommendations regarding the specific types of securities held in the
portfolio, the asset allocation program, and the frequency of rebalancing.
A complete description of the programs, services, fees, payment structures and termination
features is available via the applicable disclosure brochures, investment advisory contracts, and
account opening documents.