Values First Advisors is a registered investment advisor (RIA) based in Gray, Tennessee. It provides portfolio management and financial planning services to different client types, including individuals and businesses.
As a fee-based firm, certain advisors at Values First can earn third-party commissions beyond client-paid fees. A fee-only firm, on the other hand, focuses its earnings entirely around client-paid fees.
Values First Advisors Background
Values First Advisors formed in 2009. Roy E. Nunn and L. Alex Ellis are the managing principals and owners.
The team at Values First Advisors features such certifications as certified financial planner (CFP), certified kingdom advisor (CKA) and investment advisor certified compliance professional (ICCP).
Values First Advisors Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
The advisors at Values First provide services to individuals, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and retirement plans. Minimum account sizes are negotiable on a case-by-case basis.
Services Offered by Values First Advisors
Values First Advisors builds and monitors diversified investment portfolios on behalf of its clients. Depending on your needs, the firm may suggest that one of its sub-advisor partners manages portions of your account.
The firm’s advisors can also devise financial plans for clients on a stand-alone basis or in conjunction with its portfolio management services. These plans can cover such topics as:
- Net-worth projection
- Retirement planning
- Insurance analysis
- Investment planning
- Tax planning
- Estate planning summary
Values First Advisors Investment Philosophy
Values First Advisors believes every client’s investment goals are unique. To help each client reach these milestones, its advisors begin by analyzing his or her financial situation, risk appetite and other factors. Then they use this information to design an appropriate asset allocation or mix of investment types. Afterward, the firm may manage the account on its own or seek the help of a sub-advisor.
Investment managers would carefully select securities when implementing its asset allocation. The firm generally builds portfolios with individual stocks, bonds, bond funds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and money market investments.
Fees Under Values First Advisors
Values First Advisors charges asset allocation fees as a percentage of account size. Below is the firm’s current fee schedule.
| Values First Advisors Fee Schedule | |
| AUM | Annual Fee |
| Less than $500,000 | 1.25% |
| $500,001 - $999,999 | 1.00% |
| Greater than $1,000,000 | 0.70% |
Sub-advisors would charge their own fees. Each one sets its own fee schedule. You can view current rates in the firm’s investment brochure, which the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) makes available on its investment adviser public disclosure website. Fees for financial planning start at $950 for fixed-fee arrangements and $225 per hour for hourly arrangements.
Here's what you might expect to pay as a client of Values First Advisors at different asset levels:
| *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 Values First Advisors* | |
| Your Assets | Values First Advisors Fee Amounts |
| $500K | $6,250 |
| $1MM | $11,250 |
| $5MM | $39,250 |
| $10MM | $74,250 |
What to Watch Out For
Values First Advisors has no dislcosures on its SEC-filed Form ADV.
Values First is a fee-based advisory firm. This means that certain advisors at the firm can receive commissions from third parties by selling financial products, such as insurance, to clients. Despite this potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary and is legally obligated to act in the best interests of clients at all times.
Opening an Account with Values First Advisors
If you're interested in working with Values First, go online to the firm's website. From there, you can get in touch via email or over the phone. You can also visit the firm in person in Gray, Tennessee.
All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.
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