Firm Description
Westco Advisory Services, Inc., was founded in 1984.
Westco Advisory Services, inc. provides portfolio management and
personalized comprehensive financial planning to individuals, pension and
profit sharing plans, trusts, estates, and small businesses. Advice is provided
through consultation with the client, information we receive from the client
filling out the risk profile and goals objectives worksheets and may include:
determination of financial objectives, identification of financial problems, tax
planning, insurance review, investment management, education funding,
retirement planning, and estate planning.
Portfolio management services, whereby Westco Advisory Services, Inc.
manages an account on a discretionary basis, are provided for a fee, based
upon assets under management.
Portfolio management services, whereby Westco Advisory Services, Inc.
manages an account on a non-discretionary basis, thereby informing clients
of proposed trades before execution are provided for a fixed fee.
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. also provides investment advice on held-away
assets on a fee basis with the client making the final decision on investment
selection and in some cases implementing the recommendations, for example
a 401K plan through their place of employment.
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. does not act as a custodian of client assets.
The client always maintains asset control. Westco Advisory Services, Inc.
places trades for clients under a limited power of attorney.
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. is strictly a fee-only investment management
and financial planning firm. The firm does not sell annuities, insurance,
stocks, bonds, mutual funds, limited partnerships, or other commissioned
products, No commissions in any form are accepted.
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. is affiliated with a broker/dealer, Westco
Investment Corp., an insurance agency, Westco Agency, Inc., and a tax
preparation firm, Westco Financial Services, Inc. Recommendations may be
made, in the course of financial planning, for commissionable investment
products or insurance policies. The client is free to use any financial
professional of his/her choice to implement these recommendations, if they so
choose.
Clients are asked to fill out a risk profile and a goals and objectives worksheet
to enable the Firm to learn as much as possible about the client’s risk
tolerance and goals. A consultation is then scheduled to review the
information and clarify both our understanding and the client’s understanding
of the goals and objectives along with a review of documents provided to us
by the client. Periodic reviews are also communicated to provide reminders
of the specific courses of action that need to be taken. More frequent reviews
occur but are not necessarily communicated to the client unless immediate
changes are recommended.
Other professionals (e.g., lawyers or accountants,) are engaged directly by
the client on an as-needed basis. Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the
client in the event they should occur.
The initial meeting is free of charge and is considered an exploratory
interview to determine the extent to which financial planning and investment
management may be beneficial to the client.
Principal Owners
James G. Westmacott is a 100% stockholder.
Types of Advisory Services
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. provides discretionary portfolio management
services; non-discretionary portfolio management services; and furnishes
investment advice through consultations.
On more than an occasional basis, Westco Advisory Services, Inc. furnishes
advice to clients on matters not involving securities, such as financial planning
matters, taxation issues, and trust services that often include estate planning.
As of 12/31/2022, Westco Advisory Services, Inc. manages $185,027,570 in
assets for 315 clients. $184,114,493 is managed on a discretionary basis,
and $913,077 is managed on a non-discretionary basis.
Tailored Relationships
The goals and objectives for each client are documented by the use of our
risk profile and goals and objectives worksheets. Clients may impose
restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities.
Agreements may not be assigned without client consent.
Types of Agreements
The following agreements define the typical client relationships.
Financial Planning Agreement
A financial plan is designed to help the client with all aspects of financial
planning without ongoing investment management after the financial plan is
completed. The financial plan may include, but is not limited to: a net worth
statement; a cash flow statement; a review of investment accounts, including
reviewing asset allocation and providing repositioning recommendations;
strategic tax planning; a review of retirement accounts and plans including
recommendations; a review of insurance policies and recommendations for
changes, if necessary; one or more retirement scenarios; estate planning
review and recommendations; and education planning with funding
recommendations. Detailed investment advice and specific
recommendations are provided as part of a financial plan. Implementation of
the recommendations is at the discretion of the client. Some clients may not
have a need for a full
financial plan and may choose a modular plan
consisting of specific areas they are concerned about, ex. Retirement
planning. The fee for a modular plan is negotiable.
The fee for a comprehensive financial plan is predicated upon the facts
known at the start of the engagement. The minimum fee is $1200.00 and is
negotiable. Since financial planning is a discovery process, situations occur
wherein the client is unaware of certain financial exposures or predicaments.
In the event that the client’s situation is substantially different than disclosed
at the initial meeting, a revised fee will be provided for mutual agreement.
The client must approve the change of scope in advance of the additional
work being performed when a fee increase is necessary.
After delivery of a financial plan, future face-to-face meetings may be
scheduled as necessary for up to one year. After delivery of the financial plan
the client has up to 20 days to return it for a full refund if they are not satisfied
for any reason whatsoever.
Portfolio Management Agreement
Most clients choose to have Westco Advisory Services, Inc. manage their
assets in order to obtain ongoing in-depth advice and life planning. All
aspects of the client’s financial affairs are reviewed. Realistic and
measurable goals are set and objectives to reach those goals are defined. As
goals and objectives change over time, suggestions are made and
implemented on an ongoing basis.
The scope of work and fee for a Portfolio Management Agreement is provided
to the client in writing prior to the start of the relationship. A Portfolio
Management Agreement confirms the client’s understanding with respect to
the investment management relationship.
The annual Portfolio Management Agreement fee is based on a percentage
of the investable assets according to the following schedule:
1.50% on the first $500,000;
1.25% on the next $500,000 (from 500,001 to 1,000,000);
1.00% on the next $2 million (from 1,000,001 to 3,000,000):
.85% on the next $2 million (from 3,000,001 to 5,000,000);
.75% on the next $2 ½ million (from 5,000,001 to 7,500,000);
.65% on the next $2 ½ million (from 7,500,001 to 10,000,000);
.50% on the next $5 million ($10,000,001 to $15,000,000)
.40% on amount over $15,000,001
The minimum annual fee is $1500.00 for any portion of the year service is
provided. If a smaller account is opened it may be managed by a submanager
at their fee schedule. The fee for a 401(k) Plan is negotiable. Current client
relationships may exist where the fees are higher or lower than the fee
schedule above. The fee is billed in advance for the quarter based upon the
assets under management on the last day of the previous quarter.
If Westco Advisory Services, Inc. recommends, as part of a diversified
portfolio, an outside money management firm, that firm will have their own
Portfolio Management Agreement and Disclosure Documents.
Although the Portfolio Management Agreement is an ongoing agreement and
constant adjustments are required, the length of service to the client is at the
client’s discretion. The client or the investment manager may terminate an
Agreement by written notice to the other party. At termination, fees will be
billed on a pro rata basis for the portion of the quarter completed. The
portfolio value on the day of the end of the previous quarter is the basis for
the fee computation, adjusted for the number of days during the billing quarter
prior to termination.
Retainer Agreement
In some circumstances, a Retainer Agreement is executed in lieu of an
Portfolio Management Agreement when it is more appropriate to work on a
fixed-fee basis. The annual fee for a Retainer Agreement is negotiable.
Hourly Planning Engagements
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. provides hourly planning services for clients
who need advice on a limited scope of work. The hourly rate for limited scope
engagements is negotiable.
Asset Management
Assets are invested primarily in stock and exchange-traded funds.
Stocks and bonds will be purchased or sold through a brokerage account.
The brokerage firm may charge a fee for stock and bond trades. Westco
Advisory Services, Inc. does not receive any compensation, in any form, from
the brokerage firm.
Investments may also include: equities (stocks), warrants, corporate debt
securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities,
investment company securities (variable life insurance, variable annuities,
and mutual funds shares), and U. S. government securities,
Initial public offerings (IPOs) are not available through Westco Advisory
Services, Inc..
Termination of Agreement
A Client may terminate any of the aforementioned agreements at any time by
notifying Westco Advisory Services, Inc. in writing and paying the rate for the
time spent on the investment advisory engagement prior to notification of
termination. If the client made an advance payment, Westco Advisory
Services, Inc. will refund any unearned portion of the advance payment.
Westco Advisory Services, Inc. may terminate any of the aforementioned
agreements at any time by notifying the client in writing. If the client made an
advance payment, Westco Advisory Services, Inc. will refund any unearned
portion of the advance payment