Adviser Investments, LLC is a fee-only financial advisor firm that’s headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts. Its services include financial planning, investment management, portfolio model programs, 401(k) plan advisory services, consulting and institutional advisory services.
Adviser Investments Background
Adviser Investments, LLC was co-founded in 1994 by chairman Daniel Wiener, president and CEO Dan Silver and director David Thorne. Each spent around 30 years in the financial industry. The firm is employee owned.
The staff at Adviser Investments includes such certifications as certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), chartered retirement planning counselor (CRPC), certified senior advisor (CSA), certified private wealth advisor (CPWA), accredited investment fiduciary (AIF) and accredited wealth management advisor (AWMA).
Adviser Investments Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Adviser Investments has nearly 4,000 client accounts. Its client base includes individuals, high-net-worth individuals, privately held businesses, pension plans, profit-sharing plans, estates, trusts and charitable organizations.
The firm requires a minimum relationship size of $350,000. Adviser Investments also has different account minimum requirements for some of its investment programs and services to participate in each one. The minimum investment required to participate in each program is as follows:
- Managed Funds Program: $100,000
- Managed Equities Program: $100,000
- Managed Fixed-Income Program: $500,000
Services Offered by Adviser Investments
Adviser Investments approaches financial planning, consulting and advisement in a holistic manner, and its services reflect that. Its services include:
- Financial planning
- Retirement planning
- Estate planning
- Tax planning
- Insurance planning
- Major financial decision assistance
- Cash flow forecasting
- General consulting
- Institutional advisory services
- Discretionary and non-discretionary investment management
- Fundamental investment analysis
- Tactical asset allocation creation
- Computer-based investment models
- Portfolio monitoring and rebalances
The managed investment programs and portfolios listed in the section above are incorporated into these services depending on which program aligns with your needs and goals. Each program has a varying risk level and uses a different asset allocation and investment types.
- Managed Funds Program: This uses an active asset allocation that combines exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds throughout the stock, bond and alternative investment markets. The firm runs algorithms through its computer models to build strategies with these investments for both short- and long-term risk tolerance.
- Managed Equities Program: A “moderately aggressive” portfolio, this program includes mostly dividend-generating stocks for the purpose of both long-term growth and income generation.
- Managed Fixed-Income Program: This portfolio includes almost exclusively investment grade corporate and municipal bonds for discretionary investment management.
- Managed Annuity Program: This service is reserved for those who own variable annuities. The firm will managed the contracts using the using the same strategy as the Managed Funds Program, described above.
- Retirement Plan Advisory Services: Includes the development of a mutual fund-centric portfolio and investment advice for clients.
- Adviser Investments Alliance Program: This sub-advisory program allows investment professionals to utilize the portfolio construction, trade execution and client management services of the firm, while still remaining the client’s face-to-face advisor.
Adviser Investments Investment Philosophy
Diversification is at the core of Adviser Investments’ long-term investment strategy. The firm builds clients’ asset allocations based on their risk tolerance, time horizon and liquidity needs. Your advisor will then match your short- and long-term needs to one of the firm’s seven general portfolio models, which will shape your investment plan. However, Adviser Investments notes that in certain instances it may customize its existing strategies based on clients’ circumstances.
The firm invests in many different areas of the market. Investments used in client portfolios include mutual funds, ETFs, equities, fixed-income, individual corporate bonds, municipal bonds and variable annuity contracts.
Fees Under Adviser Investments
Adviser Investments has different fee schedules for its various advisory programs. Regardless of which advisory program you use, your account will be charged at the conclusion of each calendar quarter based on the average daily market value of your account for the previous quarter. Although these are the rates that Adviser Investments publicly provides, it says that it may alter rates on a case-by-case basis.
| Managed Funds, Managed Equities, Managed Annuity and Alliance Program Fees | |
| Portfolio Vale | Annual Fee |
| $350,000 - $500,000 | 1.50% |
| $500,001 - $1,000,000 | 1.25% |
| $1,000,001 - $3,000,000 | 1.00% |
| $3,000,001 - $5,000,000 | 0.90% |
| $5,000,001 - $7,500,000 | 0.80% |
| $7,500,001 - $10,000,000 | 0.70% |
| $10,000,001 - $15,000,000 | 0.60% |
| $15,000,001 - $20,000,000 | 0.50% |
| $20,000,001 and above | 0.45% |
| Managed Fixed Income Program Fees | |
| Portfolio Vale | Annual Fee |
| $500,000 - $2,500,000 | 0.60% |
| $2,500,001 - $5,000,000 | 0.50% |
| Above $5,000,000 | 0.40% |
Other accounts and programs may charge different fees that do not have set fee schedules.
What to Watch Out For
Adviser Investments has one disclosure in its past that’s related to a violation of investment-related regulations. However, it appears that the violator wasn’t the firm itself, but rather one of its advisory affiliates. The firm did not appear to pay any fines or face any other punishments for the violation.
Opening an Account With Adviser Investments
If you live near Newton, Massachusetts, you can stop by Adviser Investments’ office and speak with an advisor about what services the firm can offer you. Another option is to call the firm over the phone at (617) 321-2200 and set up an appointment.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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