Compass Wealth Management. LLC was formed in February 1997 by William L. Matthes and Carolyn A. Matthes,
and is currently owned by Jason Bear. Compass Wealth Management LLC is the name under which Jason Bear
and his associates conduct business as Investment Advisers to individuals, corporations and pension plans.
The investment advisory services provided by Compass Wealth Management LLC generally include: listed and
over-the-counter securities, corporate, municipal and government bonds including agencies, mortgaged backed
securities, certificates of deposit and exchange traded/index funds.
An investment policy statement developed with the client’s participation determines the asset allocation of
accounts and portfolio style. All clients are required to sign a written investment policy statement. The policy
statement summarizes the client’s assets, goals and desired asset allocation. It then specifically describes the
style of asset management to be used, prohibited transactions if any and criteria to be used in evaluating account
performance. Compass Wealth Management LLC generally requires total assets of at least $50,000 to open a
managed account.
Mr. Bear is a Certified Financial Analyst, Portfolio Manager, and Investment Advisor. Mr. Radford Brogden, a
Certified Financial Planner, joined the Firm in Q4 2020 and is an Investment Advisor Representative. Mr. Brogden
assists with financial planning and other advisory services as directed. Emily Clare Cafasso joined the firm in Q3
2023 and is an Investment Advisor Representative. Ms. Cafasso assists with financial planning and other advisory
services as directed. From time-to-time other investment advisors may be added of equally high caliber and
strong credentials.
As of December 31, 2023, Compass Wealth Management’s accounts totaled $542,113,404 all in discretionary
management.
5. Fees
Advisory Services Compensation:
Most clients pay a quarterly fee based on assets under management with all transaction costs being borne by the
manager. We believe that this a preferred management style for most clients because it collapses all expenses
into one, predictable fee. Compass Wealth Management bases its fees on a percentage of assets under
management per annum and our fee schedule is below.
Tier Rate
First $999,999 1.00%
$1,000,000 - $4,999,999 0.80%
$5,000,000 - $19,999,999 0.70%
$20,000,000 - $49,999,999 0.60%
$50mm+ 0.50%
All fees are negotiable and there are no minimum fees. Fees are paid quarterly in advance. Initial fees may be
prorated to cover the part of the quarter the account was under management. However, the prorated amount
may be waived in the sole discretion of Compass Wealth Management. Thereafter the fee will be based on the
account value at the last business day before the beginning of the new quarter. Upon termination of the account,
management fees will be credited back to the client’s account based on the days remaining in the quarter.
We also offer a flat fee advisory service in which the client pays an annual fee for investment/allocation advice.
These are typically accounts with very low turnover and a large percentage of fixed income investments, that do
not require the degree of portfolio management we provide other managed accounts.
We are required to state that where the Investment Adviser absorbs the cost of all transactions it is possible that
a conflict of interest could arise in which the Adviser may be hesitant to conduct trades that could be in the
client’s best interest because of the cost of the trades to the adviser. However, this type of account is generally
low turnover and trade cost to the advisor is minimal, and Compass does not hesitate to place trades for its
clients. The transaction charge from the clearing firm is generally expressed as a single “ticket charge” plus
exchange fees or handling cost.
In the course of developing an investment portfolio for a client, Compass will invest the client’s money in a
mutual
fund or an ETF. These investment vehicles may carry separately incurred expenses, which we do not
receive any part of, such as: charges imposed directly by a mutual fund, index fund, or exchange traded fund
which shall be disclosed in the fund's prospectus (i.e., fund management fees and other fund expenses).
Financial Planning Compensation Description:
We also offer standalone financial planning that has its own fee structure. Financial planning fees range from
$0.00 to $10,000.00 and may be charged in addition to any fees charged for financial advisory services. In
exchange for its receipt of the compensation as detailed above, Compass will provide the Client financial planning
services. These services will include gathering personal financial information, either in person or via electronic
means, and delivery of a financial plan consistent with Client’s financial goals and objectives. This plan will rely
solely on information provided to Compass by the Client.
Personal Financial Plan Depending on the Client’s situation and financial goals, the personal financial plan may
include the following applicable analyses:
Cash Flow Analysis: Compass will analyze Client’s current income and expenses and recommend specific courses
of action to facilitate the funding of Client’s financial goals and objectives.
Investment and Portfolio Analysis: Compass will evaluate Client’s investment goals, risk profile, current portfolio,
and determine the potential of the current investment strategy to meet financial goals. Compass will prepare an
asset allocation analysis and create a strategy consistent with Client’s risk tolerance and will coordinate the
implementation of Client’s investment portfolio.
Executive Benefit Analysis: Compass will analyze 457(b) plans, collateral assignment split dollars, savings plans,
stock options, retirement plans, payout alternatives, and payout timing choices and will coordinate employee
benefits with Client’s overall asset allocation and financial goals.
Retirement Income Analysis: Compass will determine, based upon currently available data and assumptions, the
savings and investments necessary to achieve Client’s retirement income goals. Compass will also analyze the
sensitivity of financial goals to inflation and expected rates of return and assist with coordination of Client’s
savings plan, asset allocation, and investment strategy.
Insurance Review: Compass will review Client’s insurance policies including life, disability, long-term care,
homeowners, and auto and will provide recommendations to help ensure Client’s insurance program minimizes
the financial risk to assets and indemnifies Client for insurable loses.
Income Tax Review: Compass will review Client’s recent income tax returns, as well as current taxable income and
expenses to incorporate projected tax liabilities into the personal financial plan. Compass can coordinate with
Client’s CPA to provide information for tax planning purposes, as well as review the tax consequences of
transactions or investments. Compass is not a tax advisor and does not provide specific tax advice.
Estate Plan Review: Compass will coordinate with Client’s estate planning attorney to review Client’s current
estate planning documents and help determine whether estate planning documents are consistent with Client’s
current intentions.
6. Performance Based Fees
Compass Wealth Management LLC does not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital
gains on or capital appreciation of assets of a client).
7. Clients
Compass Wealth Management LLC’s provides investment advice to many different types of clients. These clients
generally include individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, or charitable organizations. Compass Wealth
Management LLC generally requires total assets of at least $50,000 to open a managed account. The minimum
account size may be waived by Compass Wealth Management LLC in its sole discretion.