Sowell Management is a financial advisor firm located in North Little Rock, Arkansas, a suburb of the capital city of Little Rock. This firm provides support to a network of independent financial advisors. Through these outside advisors, it has assets under management (AUM) totaling more than $2.1 billion. Advisors work with both institutional and individual clients, providing a range of both financial planning and portfolio management services through its network.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at Sowell can receive commissions from insurance and securities sales, in addition to standard advisory fees. A fee-only firm, on the other hand, receives all of its compensation from client-paid advisory fees.
Sowell Management Background
Sowell Management was founded in 2001 in North Little Rock. The firm was established by both Sowell Management, Inc. and Cindy Sowell, the firm's executive vice president. Sowell Management, Inc., however, is 100% owned by CEO and president William Sowell.
This firm isn't a typical financial advisor, as it instead works with independent advisors to provide business support and other services. Many advisors in the firm's network are financially certified, with designations such as chartered financial analyst (CFA) and certified financial planner (CFP).
Sowell Management Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
Sowell Management itself works with independent financial advisors. However, these advisors work with a wide range of both individual and institutional clients. The majority of clients are individuals without a high net worth. Other clients include high-net-worth individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations and businesses.
To work with a Sowell advisor, you generally need to meet its $50,000 account minimum. However, this requirement may be waived or changed depending on the advisor.
Services Offered by Sowell Management
Sowell Management offers investment strategies and business support to advisors through an independent contractor model. Specific services provided to these advisors include portfolio management, trading, compliance consulting, marketing, financial planning and technology services.
The firm's network of advisors provide services to clients that mainly include financial planning and portfolio management, though more specific services are also available. Advisors work on both a discretionary or non-discretionary basis.
Sowell Management Investment Philosophy
When it comes to the investment philosophy at Sowell Management, there isn't an overarching standard that guides all advisors in the firm's network. However, there are some common themes. Advisors tailor their investment strategies based on the specific objectives of each client. They, in turn, work with clients to determine their financial situations, taking into account information such as their risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs.
Most advisors in the Sowell network craft client portfolios using a mix of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), individual debt securities and equity securities. Specific investment decisions depend on the client, with typical investing styles including:
- Strategic allocation
- Tactical allocation
- Individual equity selection
- Customized portfolio design
Fees Under Sowell Management
Investment management fees at firms in Sowell's network are charged based on a percentage of each client's total AUM. This rate is determined based on the size and scope of each particular advisory arrangement. However, rates typically won't exceed 2.50% annually.
Financial planning services are charged on either a fixed fee basis, which ranges up to $10,000, or on an hourly basis that ranges from $150 to $500 per hour.
What to Watch Out For
Sowell Management has four disclosures listed on its Form ADV. Of these disclosures, two are regulatory, one is criminal and one is civil judicial. All four of them are attributed to advisory affiliates of the firm.
Certain advisors who work with fee-based Sowell Management are registered as broker-dealer representatives or insurance agents. These roles can create potential conflicts of interest, as they allow the advisors to receive commissions from related sales. Despite this dynamic, the firm abides by fiduciary duty, legally binding it to act in clients' best interests at all times.
Opening an Account With Sowell Management
Sowell Management only works with financial advisors, not individual investors. But if you'd like to work with an advisor in Sowell's network, reach out to that advisor directly or contact Sowell for more information. You can visit the firm online, in-person or over the phone at (501) 219-2434.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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