Boulay Financial Advisors, LLC (BFA) was established in 2001 by the partners of the
accounting firm Boulay PLLP (Boulay) to provide investment advisory services to clients
through BFA’s Investment Advisor Representatives. BFA is co-owned by BFA Holdings, LLC
(38% ownership) and Boulay (62% ownership). BFA Holdings, LLC is held by current
Wealth Management Partners that work in and on our advisory practice every day, and
include Joseph Bloodgood, Tim Beversdorf, Jay Brown, Nathan Faith, Ellen Horan, and Jon
Melander.
BFA’s advisory business specifically offers services that include an Investment Advisory
Program, a Third-Party Managed Program and a Financial Planning Program, each of which
are described in greater detail below.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY PROGRAM
Clients, with assistance of their Investment Advisor Representative, will complete an
Investment Profile and provide information regarding their financial history, goals,
objectives, and financial concerns. Upon receipt and analysis of a client’s information, the
Investment Advisor Representative and client will determine an appropriate Investment
Strategy. BFA also assists clients in allocating their assets among different investment types
that are deemed appropriate for reaching their objectives.
BFA has developed and maintains several Target Portfolio Allocation models that BFA has
defined as ranging from conservative to aggressive. BFA’s Investment Selection and
Strategy Committees meet regularly to evaluate and recommend changes to the model
portfolios. Portfolios may be implemented among various asset classes which contain
securities consisting of, but not limited to, money market funds, mutual funds, exchange
traded funds, unit investment trusts, third party money managers, individual securities,
certificates of deposit and other investment vehicles that are deemed appropriate.
BFA provides regular Portfolio Reviews, which include a comparison of actual client
allocations to Target Portfolio Allocations. Changes of Investment Strategy require prior
approval from the client in either written or electronic format which is acknowledged by
the Investment Advisory Representative.
When BFA provides investment advice to clients regarding an employee benefit plan
account or individual retirement account, BFA and its investment representatives are
fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of ERISA and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as
applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. The way BFA makes money
creates some conflicts with client interests, so BFA operates under a special rule that
requires BFA to act in the clients' best interest and not put BFA’s interest ahead of the
clients' interests.
Under this special rule’s provisions, BFA must:
Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations
(give prudent advice).
Never put our financial interests ahead of those of the client when making
recommendations (give loyal advice).
Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments.
Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in our
clients' best interest.
Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
Give clients basic information about conflicts of interest.
THIRD PARTY MANAGED PROGRAMS
In certain situations, BFA uses the services of third-party managers or asset allocators to
offer asset management services to clients. Such programs can assist a client in
determining their risk profile and investment objectives and provide a relevant asset
allocation policy and management of the account. Such programs will generally provide
continuous management of the client’s account and provide reporting on the performance
of the account. Fees for such programs are disclosed in the third-party managers’ Form
ADV Part 2A.
Generally, third party management programs will have account minimums that must be
met before a client may obtain the manager’s services. Various managers have different
management philosophies and objectives.
BFA will assist clients in evaluating their financial situation in order to help determine the
suitability of a third-party manager’s service. BFA will be available to answer questions
that the client may have regarding their account and act as the communication conduit
between the client and the manager.
Investment decisions are made by the third-party manager in accordance with the
agreement between client and manager. BFA will not directly conduct any securities
transactions on behalf of the client or participate directly in the selection of the securities
to be purchased or sold for the client.
FINANCIAL PLANNING PROGRAM
BFA offers planning and review services that cover a client’s financial, estate, tax,
retirement, college-funding, and asset allocation for a fee. BFA will gather financial
information and history from the client which may include retirement and financial goals,
investment objectives, investment horizon, financial needs, cash flow details, education
goals, savings tendencies, and other applicable financial information. Based upon a client’s
needs and desires, a financial plan will be prepared addressing those needs as appropriate.
Financial plans are based on the client’s financial situation at the time as well as financial
information disclosed by the client to BFA. Clients are advised that certain assumptions will
be made with respect to interest and inflation rates and the use of past trends and
performance of the market and economy. However, past performance is in no way an
indication of future performance, and BFA cannot offer any guarantees or promises that a
client’s financial goals and objectives will be met.
Implementation of BFA’s financial planning recommendations is entirely at the client’s
discretion. Further, it is the clients’ responsibility to monitor the plan and request
revisions as desired. Clients are advised that BFA does not offer any advice or guidance on
property, casualty, or liability insurance needs.
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT, AS OF MAY 31, 2023
US Dollar Amount
Discretionary: $1,703,341,242.84
Non-Discretionary: $165,410,107.84
Total: $1,868,751,350.68
Please reference Items 10, 12 and 14 for disclosure of all identified conflicts of interest
related to our advisory business.