Menu burger Close thin Facebook Twitter Google plus Linked in Reddit Email arrow-right-sm arrow-right
Loading
Tap on the profile icon to edit
your financial details.

SignatureFD Review

Your Details Done
by Updated

This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

SignatureFD is a fee-based firm located in Atlanta that offers a wide selection of wealth management advisory services. The firm is featured in our top financial advisors in Atlanta and Georgia lists.

As a fee-based firm, certain advisors here can sell financial products on a commission basis. This differs from a fee-only firm, which removes these potential conflicts of interest entirely.

SignatureFD Background

SignatureFD was established in 1997 and became a registered investment advisor (RIA) in 2001. The firm has 10 shareholders. 

Heather Robertson Fortner is the firm’s chair and chief executive officer (CEO). She leads an advisory team that includes Certified Financial Planners™(CFPs®), chartered financial analysts (CFAs), certified public accountants (CPAs) and chartered alternative investment analysts (CAIAs). 

In addition to his headquarters in Atlanta, SignatureFD has 

SignatureFD Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes

SignatureFD serves both non-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals, pooled investment vehicles, pension and profit-sharing plans and charitable organizations. 

Prospective clients will normally need at least $2 million to set up an account. However, the firm reserves the right to accept clients with less money. 

Services Offered by SignatureFD

This firm offers the following advisory services:

  • Wealth management
  • Financial planning and consulting
  • Non-investment consulting and implementation services
  • Held away account management
  • Data aggregation
  • Insurance products and services

The firm’s website also includes an educational section with webanairs, recordings and podcasts. 

SignatureFD Investment Philosophy 

SignatureFD uses several methods when conducting investment research and offering personalized advice. The firm’s securities strategies include fundamental analysis, charting analysis, technical analysis and cyclical analysis. 

SignatureFD also regularly employs long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, short sales, options strategies and margin transactions. The firm typically invests clients' assets into mutual funds and ETFs, but it may recommend unaffiliated independent managers and affiliated private funds. 

SignatureFD Fees

When it comes to advisory fees, SignatureFD charges asset-based fees, hourly fees and fixed fees.

For clients who use both financial planning and investment management services, SignatureFD charges wealth management fees that range from 0.50% to 1.00%. Stand-alone financial planning fees range from $3,000 to $15,000 on a fixed fee basis, while hourly fees range from $200 to $500. For stand-alone investment management services, SignatureFD offers the following fee schedule for investment services:

Investment Advisory Fees
Amount of Assets Annual Fee
First $5MM 1.00%
Above $5MM 0.50%

Here's what you may expect to pay in advisory fees at this firm:

*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 SignatureFD*
Your Assets SignatureFD Maximum Fee Amount
$500K $5,000
$1MM $10,000
$5MM $50,000
$10MM $75,000

What to Watch Out For

SignatureFD doesn’t have any disclosures on its record. However, some advisors can sell insurance products and earn commissions for doing so. This can create a potential conflict of interest, but the firm abides by fiduciary duty.

Opening an Account with SignatureFD 

You can set up an account with SignatureFD by visiting its Atlanta or Charlotte offices. You can also call the firm at (404) 253-7600.

Retirement Planning Tips for Beginners

  • It’s never too early to start saving for retirement. If you’re not sure how much you’ll need to settle comfortably in your post-employment years, our retirement calculator can help.
  • Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.

How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research