BGWA is wholly owned by an affiliated accounting firm, Bland Garvey, P.C. and has been
providing advisory services since 2006.
As of December 31, 2023, BGWA managed $184,212,087 on a discretionary basis and
$1,278,351 on a nondiscretionary basis. In addition, we also managed $23,812,961 of self-
directed retirement account assets.
InvestmentManagementServices:
BGWA manages investment portfolios for individuals (including high net worth
individuals), charitable organizations, corporations, qualified retirement plans, trusts, and
small businesses. BGWA will work with the client to determine the client's investment
objectives and investor risk profile and will design a written investment policy statement.
BGWA uses investment and portfolio allocation software to evaluate alternative portfolio
designs. BGWA evaluates the client's existing investments with respect to the client's
investment policy statement. BGWA works with new clients to develop a plan to transition
from the client's existing portfolio to the desired portfolio. BGWA will then continuously
monitor the client's portfolio holdings and the overall asset allocation strategy and hold
regular review meetings with the client regarding the account as necessary.
BGWA will typically create a portfolio of no-load mutual funds, and may use model
portfolios if the models match the client's investment policy. BGWA will allocate the client's
assets among various investments taking into consideration the overall management style
selected by the client. BGWA primarily recommends portfolios consisting of passively
managed asset class and index mutual funds. BGWA primarily recommends mutual funds
offered by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA). DFA sponsored mutual funds follow a passive
asset class investment philosophy with low holdings turnover.
Client portfolios may also include some individual equity securities in situations where
disposition of these securities would present an overriding tax implication, or the client
specifically requests they be retained for a personal reason. These situations will be
specifically identified in the client’s Investment Policy Statement (IPS).
BGWA manages mutual fund and equity portfolios on a discretionary basis according to the
investment policy selected by the client.
A client may impose any reasonable restrictions on BGWA’s discretionary authority,
including restrictions on the types of securities in which BGWA may invest client’s assets
and on specific securities, which the client may believe to be appropriate.
UseofThird‐PartySub‐Advisers:
BGWA has retained Buckingham Strategic Partners to act as a sub-advisor for certain client
accounts. Buckingham Strategic Partners shall provide various model asset allocation
portfolios (each a “Portfolio”, collectively “Portfolios”) for selection by BGWA. Each
Portfolio strives to achieve long-term risk and return objectives through diversification
among multiple asset classes using investment options available to Buckingham Strategic
Partners, which may include, but are not limited to, mutual funds and/or exchange traded
funds from Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc., AQR
Capital Management, LLC, The Vanguard Group, Inc., Stoneridge Asset Management, LLC or
other providers selected by Buckingham Strategic Partners. Each Portfolio is designed to
meet a particular investment goal which BGWA has determined is suitable based on the
client's circumstances. Once the appropriate Portfolio(s) has been determined, the
Portfolio will continuously be managed based on the portfolio’s goal and Buckingham
Strategic Partners will have the discretionary authority to manage the Portfolio(s),
including periodically rebalancing. However, Adviser, on behalf of its client, will have the
opportunity to place reasonable restrictions on the types of investments to be held in the
portfolio. Should material life events occur, clients should immediately contact BGWA to
determine if changes to an account and the allocation
of the assets held in the account are
necessary.
BGWA may also recommend fixed income portfolios to investment management clients,
which consist of managed accounts of individual bonds. BGWA will request discretionary
authority from investment management clients to manage fixed income portfolios,
including the discretion to retain a third-party fixed income manager. BGWA will prepare a
Fixed Income Investment Policy Statement for any client qualifying for separate fixed
income portfolio services.
Pursuant to its discretionary authority, BGWA will retain a fixed income securities
manager. The fixed income securities manager will be provided with the discretionary
authority to invest client assets in fixed income securities consistent with the client’s Fixed
Income Investment Policy Statement. The manager will also monitor the account for
changes in credit ratings, security call provisions, and tax loss harvesting opportunities (to
the extent that the manager is provided with cost basis information). The manager will
obtain BGWA’s consent prior to the sale of any client securities.
On an ongoing basis, BGWA will answer clients’ inquiries regarding their accounts and
review periodically with clients the performance of their accounts. BGWA will periodically,
and at least annually, review clients’ investment policy, risk profile and discuss the re-
balancing of each client's accounts to the extent appropriate. BGWA will provide to
investment manager any updated client financial information or account restrictions
necessary for investment manager to provide sub-advisory services.
In addition to managing the client’s investment portfolio, BGWA may consult with clients
on various financial areas including income and estate tax planning, business sale
structures, college financial planning, retirement planning, insurance analysis, personal
cash flow analysis, establishment and design of retirement plans and trust designs, among
other things.
EmployeeBenefitRetirementPlanServices:
BGWA also provides advisory services to participant-directed employee retirement benefit
plans. BGWA will analyze the plan's current investment platform, and assist the plan in
creating an investment policy statement defining the types of investments to be offered and
the restrictions that may be imposed. BGWA will recommend investment options to
achieve the plan's objectives, provide participant education meetings, and monitor the
performance of the plan's investment vehicles.
BGWA will recommend changes in the plan's investment vehicles as may be appropriate
from time to time. BGWA generally will review the plan's investment vehicles and
investment policy as necessary.
For certain retirement plans, BGWA also works in coordination and support with
Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC. Retirement plan clients will engage both BGWA and
Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC. Buckingham Strategic Partners, LLC will provide to
the client additional discretionary investment management services and will exercise
discretionary authority to select the plan investments made available to the plans’
participants by selecting and maintain the plans’ investments according to the goals and
investment objectives of the plan.
BGWA will continue to work with plans to monitor plan investments, provide fiduciary
plan advice including regular considerations of the goals and objectives of the plan, and
provide participant education services to the plan.
Clients can also receive investment advice on a more limited basis. This may include advice
on only an isolated area(s) of concern such as estate planning, retirement planning,
reviewing a client's existing portfolio, or any other specific topic. BGWA also provides
specific consultation and administrative services regarding investment and financial
concerns of the client.
Additionally, BGWA provides advice on non-securities matters. Generally, this is in
connection with the rendering of estate planning, insurance, and/or annuity advice.