Nicholas Management is a financial advisory firm based in Marietta. Nicholas, which appears on SmartAsset's list of the top-rated advisors in Marietta, primarily serves individual investors without a high net worth, though it does have some high-net-worth individual clients.
This is a fee-based firm, which means that some of the on-staff advisors here can earn commissions from third-parties for the sale of certain insurance products or securities. This differs from fee-only firms, which derive all of their income from the fees that clients pay.
Nicholas Wealth Management Background
Nicholas Wealth Management was established in 2016 by David Nicholas, who remains the firm’s principal owner and president. Nicholas got his start in the financial advisor industry in 2005, and he holds a master's degree in financial planning from the University of Georgia. While the firm's legal name is BluePath Capital Management, LLC, it conducts business as Nicholas Wealth Management.
Nicholas Wealth Management Client Types and Account Minimums
Most Nicholas Wealth Management clients do not have a high net worth. However, the firm also works with some high-net-worth individuals too.
The firm has a minimum account size requirement of $250,000.
Services Offered by Nicholas Wealth Management
Nicholas Wealth Management offers a number of services, most of which are related to portfolio management and financial planning. Its offerings include:
- Portfolio management
- Personal investment policy creation
- Risk tolerance determination
- Investment strategies
- Asset allocation
- Asset selection
- Regular portfolio monitoring and rebalances
- Third-party investment management
- Financial planning
- Investment planning
- Retirement planning
- Tax minimization
- Life insurance and risk management
- College fund planning
- Debt/credit planning
- Specific investment type advice regarding:
- Mutual funds
- Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Fixed income securities
- Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Equities
- Hedge funds
- Private equity funds
- Inflation-linked bonds
- Commodities
- Non-U.S. securities
- Venture capital funds
- Private placements
Nicholas Wealth Management Investment Philosophy
The firm does not implement a singular investment strategy. Instead, it combines parts of five different strategies to meet clients’ unique needs. These five strategies include long-term trading, short-term trading, margin transactions, options transactions and short sales.
Even though the firm is generally focused on generating long-term returns for clients, it does engage in some short-term strategies. This is usually done to increase a portfolio’s liquidity, which can be beneficial for clients who require cash at a moment’s notice.
Fees Under Nicholas Wealth Management
The firm has two distinct fee schedules: one for its wrap fee program and another for its non-wrap portfolio management service. The wrap fee program rolls all fees for the firm’s services and other additional charges into a single, holistic rate to simplify clients’ costs. Wrap fees are charged every month. The firm determines clients’ exact monthly fees based on the value of their assets under management on the last day of the previous month.
| Wrap Fee Programs | |
| Total AUM | Annual Fee |
| Up to $500,000 | 2.00% |
| $500,001 - $1,000,000 | 1.85% |
| $1,000,001 - $2,000,000 | 1.50% |
| Above $2,000,000 | 1.00% |
While the annual rates for Nicholas' non-wrap portfolio management services are lower, this rate does not include account transaction costs, trading costs and other miscellaneous charges. All portfolio management fees are charged to clients’ accounts on a monthly basis.
| Non-Wrap Portfolio Management Fees | |
| Total AUM | Annual Fee |
| Up to $1,000,000 | 1.50% |
| $1,000,000 - $3,000,000 | 1.25% |
| $3,000,000 and up | 1.00% |
The firm does charge performance-based fees for some client accounts. These clients are charged an annual fee of 1% of assets under management, as well as a 20% performance fee based on capital appreciation. This fee only applies to any growth beyond what the firm calls your portfolio’s “high water mark.” This is defined as the highest value of your AUM at any given time. For example, if your account performs so well that it reaches a record high, you’ll be charged a 20% performance-based fee on the difference between your new and old high water mark.
The firm charges hourly fees for its financial planning services. Rates are negotiable and range between $250 to $1,000 per hour.
What to Watch Out For
Note that Nicholas Wealth Management is a fee-based firm, which means that some of its advisors do have an opportunity to receive commissions when they sell certain insurance products or securities to clients. Although this represents a potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in your best interest at all times.
Nicholas Wealth Management does not have any disclosures listed in its SEC-filed Form ADV.
Opening an Account With Nicholas Wealth Management
Stop by Nicholas Wealth Management’s office in Marietta if you’re interested in working with the firm. Try setting up an appointment by calling (404) 890-5606 or sending an email to info@nicholaswealth.com.
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