Firm Description
Clark Financial Services Group, Inc. was organized in April 1992. On July 27, 2018,
Clark Financial began marketing its services as Gardius Wealth Advisors (Indicated as
“CFSG,” “we” or “our”). CFSG offers financial planning and investment supervisory
services, including furnishing advice to clients on matters not involving securities.
Typically, our investment strategies primarily involve investing client assets in a
portfolio of mutual funds. However, we also recommend investments in individual
equities (common and preferred stock) and exchange traded funds. We also recommend
investment allocations in existing variable life insurance policies and variable
annuities. If requested by a client, and as part of our financial planning services, we
also review and provide investment advice with respect to employer stock options, debt
securities, and other client investments.
We may recommend other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents,
real estate agents, etc.) at the request of the client. Other professionals are engaged
directly by the client on an as-needed basis even when recommended by CFSG.
Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the client and managed in the best interest of
the client. No fees or commissions are shared in these arrangements.
Principal Owners
CFSG is owned by Christopher W. Schulenburg, Chairman and Kevin A. Clark,
President.
Advisory Services
Creation of the Initial Financial Plan
Our advisory services typically begin with a financial plan tailored to the financial
needs and objectives of the individual client. A client who chooses to waive financial
planning services will not receive a reduced fee. While each client’s situation is unique,
we typically use the following six-step process in developing a client’s initial financial
plan:
□ Identify goals and needs. At the outset, one of our advisors will meet with the
client to discuss the client’s goals and financial needs.
□ Gather financial information. The financial advisor will gather client financial
information, such as bank and brokerage statements, insurance policies, tax
returns, retirement plans, and estate documents.
□ Analyze financial information. We analyze this information to understand the
client’s financial situation and to determine how to meet the client’s goals and
financial needs.
□ Develop a written financial plan. The financial adviser develops a written
financial plan that makes recommendations designed to meet the client’s
objectives and needs. Before the financial plan is presented to the client, all of
our financial advisors meet at least once to review and revise the financial plan.
□ Presentation of financial plan. The financial advisor will meet with the client to
present and discuss the financial plan. If required, the financial advisor makes
additional revisions to the financial plan based on this meeting to ensure that the
plan is consistent with the client’s goals and expectations.
□ Implementation of the financial plan. The financial advisor implements the
investment recommendations contained in the client’s financial plan and assists
the client in taking the other actions recommended in the financial plan.
Financial Planning Areas
Depending on the needs and objectives of the client, and the complexity of the client’s
financial situation, our financial planning services will typically include one or more
of the following areas:
□ Cash flow and tax analysis. We analyze a client’s current and projected future
income, expenses, income taxes, and debt. This may include tax planning and
coordination with outside tax professionals. We then recommend steps for the
client to take to help optimize the client’s resources available to meet his or her
financial goals. This may include debt management strategies, assisting in
major purchase decisions, cash reserve techniques, and family budgeting.
□ Investment planning.
This includes analyzing client investments and
recommending steps to assist the client in optimizing the performance of his or
her investments to reach future financial goals.
□ Retirement planning. We use financial models to project cash flow needs and
income available for a client’s retirement, evaluate the client’s retirement plan
pay-out options, and analyze the potential impact of inflation. This may include
assisting the client in determining whether (or to what extent) to participate in
any employer-sponsored benefit plan. We may also make recommendations as
to what types of other tax-advantaged retirement accounts may be appropriate
for the client.
□ Protection of needs. We inventory and review the client’s insurance policies,
including life, disability, and long-term care. We also analyze the needs of the
client and the client’s family in the event of the client’s death, disability, or
long-term care. This may include reviewing the client’s asset protection needs
and property and casualty insurance policies. Based on our analysis, we may
make certain observations about the adequacy of the client’s insurance coverage
and recommend additional insurance products and coverage.
□ Estate planning and coordination. We assist the client in preparing to pass the
client’s wealth on to his or her beneficiaries. This may include coordinating
with the client’s estate planning attorney to ensure that the client’s estate plans
are consistent with his or her financial goals and expectations. We may also
make recommendations designed to ensure that an estate or testamentary trust
is able to meet its obligations, such as distribution of assets and payment of
estate taxes.
□ Education funding analysis. We evaluate and determine the amount of savings
required to meet the client’s goals for funding public or private school, college,
and/or graduate school education for his or her children, grandchildren, or
others. This may also include financial aid analysis.
Ongoing Financial Planning Services
The creation of a client’s financial plan is just the first step of our financial planning
process. On an ongoing basis, CFSG will monitor the client’s progress toward
identified goals, and provide the client with periodic written reviews of the client’s
portfolio. Our ongoing financial planning services also include unlimited telephone
support and meetings. Clients are encouraged to meet with their CFSG investment
advisor periodically to discuss their financial plan, review financial documents, and to
evaluate the client’s financial situation.
Because a client’s financial plan is based on information provided by the client, clients
are encouraged to contact their CFSG financial advisor promptly to discuss any
changes to their financial situation, goals or needs. CFSG’s ongoing financial planning
service includes updates to financial plans.
Implementation of the investment portion of the financial plan
Once the client has approved of the financial plan, CFSG will implement the
investment recommendations contained in the financial plan. To do this, CFSG
typically requests discretionary authority over the client’s brokerage accounts. This
authority is set forth in the terms of the investment management agreement and
brokerage account application signed by the client.
Tailored Relationships
At CFSG, financial planning and advisory services are tailored to the individual needs
of clients. Client goals and objectives are clarified in meetings and via correspondence,
and are used to determine the course of action for each individual client. Clients may
impose reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
This must be done in writing and be signed by the client and CFSG.
Managed Assets
As of December 31, 2023, CFSG managed approximately $346,823,490 in client assets
on a discretionary basis, and approximately $39,456,759 on a non-discretionary basis.