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