Dowling & Yahnke, LLC
Dowling & Yahnke, also known as Dowling & Yahnke Wealth Advisors, is a large, San Diego-based financial advisor firm. Its client base is made up of both institutional and individual investors, and it provides these clients with investment management and financial planning services. As a fee-only firm, all of its compensation comes from client-paid fees.
This firm is featured on SmartAsset's list of the top financial advisors in San Diego. The firm has a few other awards to boast, including being named a 2020 Top 300 RIA by the Financial Times.
Dowling & Yahnke Background
Dowling & Yahnke was founded in 1991. It is princiaplly owned by CI US Holdings Inc., which is wholly-owned by CI Financial Corp. CI Financial Corp is an independent Canadian asset manager.
The firm employs a sizable team of advisors, many of whom hold certifications. These include certified financial planner (CFP), chartered financial analyst (CFA), certified public accountant (CPA), certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) and more.
Dowling & Yahnke Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Dowling & Yahnke works with both individual and institutional clients, though the majority of its client base is made up of individuals with a high net worth. Other clients include individuals with less than a high net worth, retirement plans, charities and businesses.
Dowling & Yahnke requires a minimum investment of $1 million for individual investors and a minimum of $2 million for institutional investors. These minimums may be negotiable.
Services Offered by Dowling & Yahnke
Dowling & Yahnke provides clients with both investment management and financial planning services. Sometimes these services are provided separately, but clients are also able to contract the firm for both services at once. Financial planning services are provided as a part of typical portfolio management services.
Portfolio management is provided on a discretionary basis. Financial planning can include retirement planning, estate planning, charitable gift planning, executive compensation planning and college fund planning.
Dowling & Yahnke Investment Philosophy
Dowling & Yahnke looks to tailor its investment management services to the needs and goals of clients. More specifically, advisors take note of each client's liquidity needs, income needs, risk tolerance, time horizon and other important factors. Once these characteristics form a clear picture, advisors will use it to create a workable long-term investment plan and investment policy statement (IPS).
The firm's advisors look to build portfolios that are diversified and tax-efficient. They attempt to minimize transaction costs, building portfolios using mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and certain individual securities. Advisors use a variety of research methods to inform their investment decisions.
Fees Under Dowling & Yahnke
Fees for investment management services at Dowling & Yahnke are charged based on an annual percentage of each client's AUM. Rates go as follows:
| Dowling & Yahnke Fee Schedule | |
| Portfolio Value | Annual Fee |
| First $2,000,000 | 0.85% |
| Next $1,000,000 | 0.70% |
| Next $7,000,000 | 0.50% |
| Above $10,000,000 | 0.40% |
Here's what you can expect to pay as an investment management client at Dowling & Yahnke:
| *Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount. | |
| Estimated Investment Management Fees at Dowling & Yahnke* | |
| Your Assets | Dowling & Yahnke Fee Amount |
| $500K | $4,250 |
| $1MM | $8,500 |
| $5MM | $34,000 |
| $10MM | $59,000 |
Financial planning fees are charged based on the scope and size of each particular engagement. Hourly fees range from $250 to $500 per hour, and flat fees are negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
Dowling & Yahnke Awards and Recognition
Dowling & Yahnke has a number of awards that it's earned over the past several years. A few of the advisors at the firm have received their own awards from publications such as Barron's. In 2020, the firm itself was ranked on the Financial Times' list of the Top 300 Registered Investment Advisors in the U.S.
What to Watch Out For
There are no legal or regulatory disclosures present on Dowling & Yahnke's SEC-filed Form ADV.
Opening an Account with Dowling & Yahnke
The easiest way to become a client of Dowling & Yahnke is to call (858) 509-9500. You can also visit the firm's website and fill out a contact form so a representative can reach out to you directly.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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- SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
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