Northwest Asset Management is a financial advisor firm headquartered on Mercer Island, Washington, located between Bellevue and Seattle. With billions in client assets under management, this large firm tops our top financial advisor list for Mercer Island. It also has offices in California, Arizona, Texas, Idaho, Georgia and Minnesota, though it may go by a different name, especially away from the West Coast.
The firm's team of financial advisors provide investment management, financial planning, consulting and retirement services to a client base largely composed of individuals. The fee-based firm also serves some institutional clients.
Northwest Asset Management Background
Gregory Allen Headrick, the firm's chief compliance officer, founded Northwest Asset Management in 2008. He is currently the managing member and principal owner. Northwest Asset has a total 12 offices across the country.
Many of the advisors at this firm have financial certifications. These include the certified financial planner (CFP), certified public accountant (CPA), retirement income certifed professional (RICP) and certified divorce financial analyst (CDFA) designations, among others.
Northwest Asset Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Northwest Asset Management works primarily with individual clients. Only around 30% of those individuals have a high net worth. Other clients of the firm include retirement plans, charitable organizations and businesses.
While the firm does not have a stated account minimum, it may decline to work with clients who have less than $500,000 in investable assets.
Services Offered by Northwest Asset Management
Northwest Asset Management offers a range of financial services. These include portfolio management, financial planning, financial consulting and retirement plan sponsor services. The firm also provides certain services to its investment advisors who operate affiliated financial advisory businesses.
Here's an outline of the firm's offerings:
- Financial planning
- Retirement planning
- Goal savings planning
- College fund planning
- Social Security planning
- Investment portfolio management
- Retirement plan sponsor services
- Help employers manage employee benefits
- Plan participant education and support
The firm also has a wrap fee program, and it manages assets on both a discretionary and non-discretionary basis. Wrap fee programs bundle asset management, brokerage and trading fees into one consolidated fee.
Northwest Asset Management Investment Philosophy
Northwest Asset Management makes a concerted effort to tailor its investment strategies and financial advice to the individual needs of each client. The firm bases investment decisions on each client's financial goals, income needs, risk tolerance and more. Depending on these factors, advisors may use traditional asset allocation strategies, newer, more innovative strategies or a combination of several different approaches. Advisors also perform periodic portfolio rebalancing to ensure that the intended asset allocation remains intact.
Northwest uses many public and private information sources to inform its investment strategies and analysis methods. The firm tends to adhere to the principles of Modern Portfolio Theory, placing a significant emphasis on a definitive, risk-adjusted asset allocation. Advisors typically craft investment strategies with exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, money market funds, bonds, stocks, real estate investment trusts and commodity indexes.
Fees Under Northwest Asset Management
Fees for investment management services at Northwest Asset Management vary and are negotiable depending upon the scope of services requested, the size of the client's relationship and even the trading activity of the account. The firm charges fees either as a percentage of each client's AUM, a flat fee or a transaction-based fee. The maximum annual fee for these services is 1.75%.
The maximum fee is high compared to the average investment advisory fee of 0.95%, according to a 2018 study of 1,500 firms by RIA in a Box. Learn more about advisors' typical costs here.
Financial planning, retirement planning and financial consulting fees are charged at a rate of $350 per hour. Fees for retirement plan sponsor services vary. All fees are charged quarterly, in advance or in arrears.
What to Watch Out For
On its most recent Form ADV, Northwest Asset Management had no disclosures of legal or regulatory events.
One thing to be aware of, though, is that some advisors at Northwest Asset Management may be brokers or insurance agents. In these roles, they collect transaction-based fees, which can pose a conflict of interest. That said, as an SEC-registered investment advisor, Northwest Asset has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Opening an Account With Northwest Asset Management
For those looking to become a client of Northwest Asset Management, you can submit a contact form through the firm's website. You can also call the firm to set up an appointment or stop by any one of its branches.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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