Overview
Clarity initially filed for registration with the SEC in March of 2024. Clarity is owned by Shannon F.
Moenkhaus (as of November 1, 2016) and has been providing comprehensive financial planning
services since July 2015. As of April 3, 2024, Clarity managed $109,508,891 on a discretionary
basis and $1,653,217 on a non-discretionary basis.
Comprehensive Financial Planning and Portfolio Management
Clarity manages investment portfolios for individuals including high -net-worth individuals,
trusts and businesses. Clarity works with clients to determine the client's investment
objective which may be set forth in a written Investment Policy Statement tha t describes
an asset allocation model that confirms a client’s risk tolerance. The determination of an
appropriate portfolio for each client is a function of current and future cash flow needs,
risk tolerance, time horizon, goals, and modeled returns. Inve stment and portfolio
allocation software may be used to evaluate alternative portfolio designs. Clarity evaluates
the client's existing investments with respect to the client's investment policy statement.
Clarity works with new client families to develop a plan to transition from the client's
existing portfolio to the desired portfolio.
Clarity typically designs a portfolio of evidence-based no-load mutual funds or ETF’s and
may use model portfolios if the models match the client's investment policy. Clarity
allocates the client's assets among various investments taking into consideration the
overall management style selected by the client. Clarity often recommends mutual funds
and ETFs offered by Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), Vanguard, and other similar mutual
funds and exchange traded funds. These sponsored mutual funds follow an evidence -based
investment philosophy with low holdings turnover. Clarity prefers evidence -based mutual
funds and ETF’s investments that offer low expense ratios, low security turnover, high
transparency, and support a broadly diversified portfolio. Client portfolios m ay also include
some individual equity securities and highly appreciated mutual funds 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 are
specifically identified in the client’s Investment Policy Statement (IPS).
Clarity 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 Clarity’s discretionary authority, including restrictions on the types of
securities in which Clarity may invest client’s assets and on specific securities, the client
may believe to be appropriate. These situations are identified in the client’s Investment
Policy Statement (IPS).
Clarity may also recommend fixed income portfolios, which consist of managed accounts o f
laddered individual bond portfolios. Clarity will request discretionary authority from advisory
clients to manage fixed income portfolio portfolios, including the discretion to retain a third -
party fixed income manager.
Clarity will periodically review each client’s investment policy, risk profile, and discuss the re-balancing
of each client’s accounts to the extent appropriate.
In addition to managing the client’s investment portfolio and as part of the Comprehensive
Financial Planning service offering, Clarity consults with clients on various financial areas
including income and estate tax planning, capital needs analysis, business sale structures,
college financial planning, retirement planning, personal cash flow analysis, philanthropy
establishment and design of retirement plans and trust designs, among oth er things.
Clarity gathers required information through in -depth personal interviews. Information
gathering includes a client’s current financial status, future goals, and attitudes toward
risk. related documents supplied by the client are carefully reviewed and vari ous types of
written reports may be prepared by Clarity. Implementation of the financial plan
recommendations is entirely at the client’s discretion although Clarity works with clients to
implement the planning recommendations. Referrals to other professio nals may happen
based on the client’s needs.
Please note: comprehensive financial planning is included with portfolio management services
at no additional cost.
Wrap Fee Programs
We do not participate in wrap fee programs.