Firm Brochure (Part 2A of Form ADV) Personal Financial Planning, Inc.

Transcription

1 Firm Brochure (Part 2A of Form ADV) (dba PFP Advisors, Inc.) 1933 Arthur St. NE Minneapolis, MN., This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of (dba PFP Advisors, Inc.). If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at: , or by at: The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or by any state securities authority. Additional information about is available on the SEC s website at 6/1/2012

2 Material Changes Annual Update The Material Changes section of this brochure will be updated annually when material changes occur since the previous release of the Firm Brochure. Material Changes since the Last Update The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a final rule in July 2010 requiring advisers to provide a Firm Brochure in narrative plain English format. The new final rule specifies mandatory sections and organization. Full Brochure Available Whenever you would like to receive a complete copy of our Firm Brochure, please contact us by telephone at: or by at: PFPmichael2@gmail.com. i

3 Table of Contents Material Changes... i Annual Update... i Material Changes since the Last Update... i Full Brochure Available... i Advisory Business... 1 Firm Description... 1 Principal Owners... 2 Types of Advisory Services... 2 Tailored Relationships... 2 Types of Agreements... 2 Hourly Financial Planning Agreement... 3 Retainer Agreement... 4 Tax Preparation Agreement... 4 Termination of Agreement... 4 Fees and Compensation... 4 Description... 4 Fee Billing... 4 Other Fees... 5 Expense Ratios... 5 Past Due Accounts and Termination of Agreement... 5 Performance-Based Fees... 5 Sharing of Capital Gains... 5 Types of Clients... 6 Description... 6 Account Minimums... 6 Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss... 6 Methods of Analysis... 6 Investment Strategies... 6 Risk of Loss... 7 TOC 1

4 Disciplinary Information... 8 Legal and Disciplinary... 8 Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations... 8 Financial Industry Activities... 8 Affiliations... 8 Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading... 8 Code of Ethics... 8 Participation or Interest in Client Transactions... 8 Personal Trading... 8 Brokerage Practices... 9 Selecting Brokerage Firms... 9 Best Execution... 9 Soft Dollars... 9 Order Aggregation... 9 Review of Accounts Periodic Reviews Review Triggers Regular Reports Client Referrals and Other Compensation Incoming Referrals Referrals to Other Professionals Custody Account Statements Performance Reports Net Worth Statements Investment Discretion Discretionary Authority for Trading Limited Power of Attorney Voting Client Securities Proxy Votes TOC 2

5 Financial Information Financial Condition Business Continuity Plan General Disasters Alternate Offices Loss of Key Personnel Information Security Program Information Security Privacy Notice Education and Business Standards Professional Certifications Michael Helffrich, CFP, MBA, Owner TOC 3

6 Advisory Business Firm Description Personal Financial Planning Inc, was founded in 1983 by Michael Helffrich. Mr. Helffrich is the owner and sole employee of the firm, and is a Certified Financial Planner designee, and holds an MBA in management. The firm is registered with the state of Minnesota as a Registered Investment Advisor. provides personalized confidential financial planning and investment management to individuals, families, trusts and estates, and family businesses. I work with clients to define financial objectives and develop strategies for reaching those objectives. Some of these may include: identification of financial problems, cash flow management, tax planning, insurance review, investment management, education funding, retirement planning, retirement distribution planning, charitable gifting, and estate planning. Personal Financial Planning is strictly a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm. The firm does not sell annuities, insurance, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, limited partnerships, or other commissioned products. The firm is not affiliated with entities that sell financial products or securities. No commissions in any form are accepted. No referral or finder s fees are accepted. No benefits are received from custodians/broker-dealers based on client securities transactions ( soft dollar benefits ). Investment advice is provided, with the client making the final decision on investment selection. Assets under direct management of Personal Financial Planning, Inc. are held by independent custodians in the client s name. Personal Financial Planning, Inc does not act as a custodian of client assets. The client always maintains asset control. However, Personal Financial Planning, Inc. will at times place trades for clients under a limited power of attorney. Such trades are always cleared with the client before placing. Also, some clients execute a limited power of attorney to Personal Financial Planning, Inc. in order for me to access their on-line accounts for purposes of financial planning. These limited powers specifically exclude any trading, unless specifically authorized by the client on a case-by-case basis. An evaluation of each client's initial situation is provided to the client, often in the form of a net worth statement. Periodic reviews are also undertaken to provide reminders of the specific courses of action that need to be taken. Other professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants, insurance agents, etc.) are engaged directly by the client on an as-needed basis. Conflicts of interest will be disclosed to the client in the unlikely event they should occur. An initial luncheon or telephone meeting is free of charge and is considered an exploratory interview to determine the extent to which financial planning and investment management may be beneficial to the client

7 Principal Owners Michael Helffrich is a 100% stockholder. Types of Advisory Services provides investment supervisory services, also known as asset management services, and furnishes investment advice through consultations. On more than an occasional basis, Personal Financial Planning, Inc. furnishes advice to clients on matters not involving securities, such as financial planning matters, taxation issues, retirement plan distributions, and services that often include estate planning. As of 12/31/2011, provides advice regarding about $15 million in assets for approximately twenty clients, all of which is managed on a non-discretionary basis. offers two pathways of engagement. 1. The first is purely hourly, and provides advice on whatever the client wishes to learn, as well as the needs perceived by Michael Helffrich. This approach does not provide on-going and/or pro-active advice, but rather deals with the client s financial situation as it is when the client comes in the door. The current hourly fee is $ The second pathway is a retainer, in which the client and Personal Financial Planning, Inc. arrive at an on-going engagement agreement with a fixed fee billed and paid quarterly, after the fact. This engagement is punctuated by (usually quarterly) periodic meetings in which (1) changes in the client s life and financial situation are taken into account, and (2) current macro economic trends are addressed. From these, recommendations are made and altered. The minimum annual retainer is $1,200. Tailored Relationships At, advisory services are tailored to the individual needs of clients. Client goals and objectives are clarified in meetings and via correspondence, and are used to determine the course of action for each client. Investment policy statements are created that reflect the stated goals and objective. These goals are stored in either hard copy or electronic files. Clients may impose written restrictions on investing in certain securities or types of securities. Agreements may not be assigned without client consent. Types of Agreements The following agreements define the typical client relationships

8 Hourly Financial Planning Agreement A financial plan is designed to help the client with all aspects of financial planning without ongoing investment management after the financial plan is completed. The financial plan may include, but is not limited to: a net worth statement; a cash flow statement; a review of investment accounts, including reviewing asset allocation and providing repositioning recommendations; strategic tax planning; a review of retirement accounts and plans including recommendations; a review of insurance policies and recommendations for changes, if necessary; one or more retirement scenarios; estate planning review and recommendations; and education planning with funding recommendations. Detailed investment advice and specific recommendations are provided as part of a financial plan. Implementation of the recommendations is at the discretion of the client. The fee for a financial plan is predicated upon the facts known at the start of the engagement, with a range of hours estimated. There is no minimum fee, and payment is by the hour. All fees are negotiable. Since financial planning is a discovery process, situations occur wherein the client is unaware of certain financial exposures or predicaments. In the event that the client s situation is substantially different than disclosed at the initial meeting, a revised estimate of hours will be provided for mutual agreement. The client must approve the change of scope in advance of the additional work being performed when a fee increase is necessary. All fees may be refunded if not earned. After initial planning work is completed, future face-to-face meetings may be scheduled as necessary and will be either billed by the hour, or a retainer agreement entered into. With regard to investing, mutual funds, stocks and bonds may be purchased or sold through discount brokerage accounts. The brokerage firm may charge a fee for trades. does not receive any compensation, in any form, from fund companies or brokerage firms. Investments may include: equities (stocks), warrants, corporate debt securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, municipal securities, investment company securities (variable life insurance, variable annuities, and mutual funds shares), U. S. government securities, options contracts, futures contracts, and interests in public partnerships. Initial public offerings (IPOs) are not available through Personal Financial Planning, Inc - 3 -

9 Retainer Agreement Retainer Agreements may be executed when clients wish a long term relationship and for to take an active role in managing the client assets. The annual fee for a Retainer Agreement is based on a good faith estimate of time spent and is negotiable. All fees may be refunded if not earned, based on the number of days each quarter earned. The minimum annual fee is $1,200. Tax Preparation Agreement Tax preparation work is performed separately from an Hourly Agreement or Retainer Agreement and is billed by the form. Minimum fee is $75. Eligible federal and applicable state returns are filed electronically, with some state returns being subject to an additional filing fee. Termination of Agreement A Client may terminate any of the aforementioned agreements at any time by notifying in writing and paying the rate for the time spent on the investment advisory engagement prior to notification of termination. If the client made an advance payment, Personal Financial Planning, Inc. will refund any unearned portion of the advance payment. may terminate any of the aforementioned agreements at any time by notifying the client in writing. If the client made an advance payment, will refund any unearned portion of the advance payment. Fees and Compensation Description bases its fees on hourly charges, fixed retainer fees, and per form fees for tax returns. Retainer Agreements will be priced based on the complexity of work. Financial plans are priced according to the degree of complexity associated with the client s situation. Fees are Negotiable. Fee Billing Retainer Fees are billed quarterly, in arrears, meaning that I invoice you after the three-month billing period has ended. Payment in full is expected within 10 days of invoice presentation. Fees are usually paid by check

10 Other Fees Custodians may charge transaction fees on purchases or sales of certain mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. These transaction charges are usually small and incidental to the purchase or sale of a security. The selection of the security is more important than the nominal fee that the custodian charges to buy or sell the security., in its sole discretion, may waive its minimum retainer fee and/or charge a lesser retainer fee based upon certain criteria (e.g., historical relationship, type of assets, anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future additional assets, dollar amounts of assets to be managed, related accounts, account composition, negotiations with clients, etc.). Expense Ratios Mutual funds generally charge a management fee for their services as investment managers. The management fee is called an expense ratio. For example, an expense ratio of 0.50 means that the mutual fund company charges 0.5% for their services. These fees are in addition to the fees paid by you to Performance figures quoted by mutual fund companies in various publications are after their fees have been deducted. Past Due Accounts and Termination of Agreement PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, INC. reserves the right to stop work on any account that is more than 20 days overdue. In addition, Personal Financial Planning, Inc. reserves the right to terminate any financial planning engagement where a client has willfully concealed or has refused to provide pertinent information about financial situations when necessary and appropriate, in Personal Financial Planning s judgment, to providing proper financial advice. Any unused portion of fees collected in advance will be refunded within 30 days. Performance-Based Fees Sharing of Capital Gains Fees are not based on a share of the capital gains or capital appreciation of managed securities. does not use a performance-based fee structure because of the potential conflict of interest. Performance-based compensation may create an incentive for the adviser to recommend an investment that may carry a higher degree of risk to the client

11 Types of Clients Description generally provides investment advice to individuals, families, trusts and estates. Client relationships vary in scope and length of service. Account Minimums does not impose a minim dollar value of assets or other condition for opening or maintaining an account. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss Methods of Analysis Security analysis methods primarily include fundamental analysis. The main sources of information include financial newspapers and magazines, inspections of corporate activities, research materials prepared by others, corporate rating services, timing services, annual reports, prospectuses, filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and company press releases. Other sources of information that may use include Morningstar Principia mutual fund information, Morningstar Principia stock information, Morningstar.com Website, Barron s on-line and paper publications, Yahoo.com financial website, and other miscellaneous websites which provide access to specific financial and tax information, including, but not limited to: Bigcharts.com. Investment Strategies The primary investment strategy used on client accounts is strategic asset allocation utilizing active management. This means that we use active managed funds as a base, and then create portfolios of individual securities as opportunities arise over time. Most portfolios are focused on dividend paying common stocks for security in down markets. Portfolios are also globally diversified to control the risk associated with traditional markets. The investment strategy for a specific client is based upon the objectives stated by the client during consultations. The client may change these objectives at any time. Each client executes an Investment Policy Statement that documents their objectives and their desired investment strategy. Each client portfolio is constructed solely for that client

12 Strategies may include long-term purchases, short-term purchases, trading, and short sales. Risk of Loss All investment programs have certain risks that are borne by the investor. Our investment approach constantly keeps the risk of loss in mind. Investors face the following investment risks: Interest-rate Risk: Fluctuations in interest rates may cause investment prices to fluctuate. For example, when interest rates rise, yields on existing bonds become less attractive, causing their market values to decline. Market Risk: The price of a security, bond, or mutual fund may drop in reaction to tangible and intangible events and conditions. This type of risk is caused by external factors independent of a security s particular underlying circumstances. For example, political, economic and social conditions may trigger market events. Inflation Risk: When any type of inflation is present, a dollar today will not buy as much as a dollar next year, because purchasing power is eroding at the rate of inflation. Currency Risk: Overseas investments are subject to fluctuations in the value of the dollar against the currency of the investment s originating country. This is also referred to as exchange rate risk. Reinvestment Risk: This is the risk that future proceeds from investments may have to be reinvested at a potentially lower rate of return (i.e. interest rate). This primarily relates to fixed income securities. Business Risk: These risks are associated with a particular industry or a particular company within an industry. For example, oil-drilling companies depend on finding oil and then refining it, a lengthy process, before they can generate a profit. They carry a higher risk of profitability than an electric company, which generates its income from a steady stream of customers who buy electricity no matter what the economic environment is like. Liquidity Risk: Liquidity is the ability to readily convert an investment into cash. Generally, assets are more liquid if many traders are interested in a standardized product. For example, Treasury Bills are highly liquid, while real estate properties are not. Financial Risk: Excessive borrowing to finance a business operations increases the risk of profitability, because the company must meet the terms of its obligations in good times and bad. During periods of financial stress, the inability to meet loan obligations may result in bankruptcy and/or a declining market value

13 Disciplinary Information Legal and Disciplinary The firm and its employees have not been involved in legal or disciplinary events related to past or present investment clients. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations Financial Industry Activities does not participate in any other industry business activities. Affiliations does not have arrangements that are material to its advisory business or its clients with any related person. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading Code of Ethics The employees of have committed to a Code of Ethics and fiduciary Oath as outlined by the National association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA). The key points are putting the clients interest first, objectivity, confidentiality, competence, fairness and suitability, integrity, regulatory compliance, full disclosure, and professionalism. CFP designees are also held to a Code of Ethics as outlined by the CFP Board of Standards. The firm will provide a copy of the code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request. Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Michael Helffrich may buy or sell securities that are also held by clients. Michael Helffrich may not trade his own securities ahead of client trades. However, Personal Financial Planning, Inc. may make suggestions of securities in which Mr. Helffrich owns a position. Personal Trading The Chief Compliance Officer of is Michael Helffrich. His personal trading is not of significant value to affect the markets, and clients of the firm receive preferential treatment

14 Brokerage Practices Selecting Brokerage Firms does not have any affiliation with product sales firms. Specific custodian recommendations are made to Clients based on their need for such services. recommends custodians based on the proven integrity and financial responsibility of the firm, best execution of orders at reasonable commission rates, and quality of service. recommends discount brokerage firms and trust companies (qualified custodians), such as Wells Fargo Discount Brokerage (WellsTrade), and Union Bank and Trust. Personal Financial Planning, Inc. does not receive fees or commissions from any of these arrangements. All accounts are retail accounts, and are accessed via passwords, which the clients provide to, in the context of a Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) which allows to access client accounts only for financial planning purposes, and that no trades can be made without specific time-by-time permission from the client. In addition, the client has the right to change the password at any time to lock out Best Execution periodically reviews the execution of trades at each custodian. Trading fees charged by the custodians are also reviewed periodically. does not receive any portion of the trading fees. Soft Dollars receives a software discount of 15% from Morningstar Principia software. All clients benefit from this discount as it reduces the firm s overall expenses. does not receive soft dollar benefits from the custodians to whom we recommend clients. Order Aggregation does not direct brokerage for specific client transactions

15 Review of Accounts Periodic Reviews Account reviews are performed quarterly by Michael Helffrich, CFP designee and owner. Account reviews are performed more frequently when market conditions dictate. Review Triggers Other conditions that may trigger a review are changes in the tax laws, new investment information, geo-political events, and changes in a client's own situation. Regular Reports Clients receive periodic communications on at least an annual basis. Retainer Agreement clients receive quarterly or semi-annual updates. The updates include a net worth statement, portfolio statement, and tax return (if the client requests tax preparation services). Client Referrals and Other Compensation Incoming Referrals has been fortunate to receive many client referrals over the years. The referrals have come from current clients, estate planning attorneys, accountants, personal friends of Michael Helffrich and other sources. The firm does not pay for referrals. Referrals to Other Professionals does not accept referral fees or any form of remuneration from other professionals when a prospect or client is referred to them. Custody Account Statements All assets are held at qualified custodians, who provide account statements directly to clients at their address of record at least quarterly. Performance Reports Clients are, at times, provided account statements by Personal Financial Planning, Inc. These are usually account statements containing estimates of account balances provided by the client, as well as those received directly from their custodians

16 Net Worth Statements Clients are frequently provided net worth statements and net worth graphs that are generated from our software. Net worth statements contain approximations of bank account balances provided by the client, as well as the value of land and hard-to-price real estate. The net worth statements are used for long-term financial planning where the exact values of assets are not material to the financial planning tasks. Investment Discretion Discretionary Authority for Trading does not accept discretionary authority to manage securities accounts on behalf of clients. Personal Financial Planning, Inc. does not have the authority to determine, without obtaining specific client consent, the securities to be bought or sold, and the amount of the securities to be bought or sold. consults with the client prior to each trade to clarify trading order(s). The client approves the custodian to be used and the commission rates paid to the custodian. does not receive any portion of the transaction fees or commissions paid by the client to the custodian on certain trades. Limited Power of Attorney A limited power of attorney is a trading authorization for this purpose. Retainer Agreement Clients may sign a limited power of attorney so that I may execute only the trades that you have specifically approved. Often trades are done together on-line, with guidance. Voting Client Securities Proxy Votes PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, INC. does not vote proxies on securities. Clients are expected to vote their own proxies. When assistance on voting proxies is requested, PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, INC. will provide recommendations to the Client. If a conflict of interest exists, it will be disclosed to the Client

17 Financial Information Financial Condition PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, INC. does not have any financial impairment that will preclude the firm from meeting contractual commitments to clients. A balance sheet is not required to be provided because Personal Financial Planning, Inc. does not serve as a custodian for client funds or securities, and does not require prepayment of fees of more than $600 per client, and six months or more in advance. Business Continuity Plan General has a Business Continuity Plan in place that provides detailed steps to mitigate and recover from the loss of office space, communications, services or key people. Disasters The Business Continuity Plan covers natural disasters such as snow storms, hurricanes, tornados, and flooding. The Plan covers man-made disasters such as loss of electrical power, loss of water pressure, fire, bomb threat, nuclear emergency, chemical event, biological event, communications line outage, Internet outage, railway accident and aircraft accident. Electronic files are backed up daily and archived on and offsite. Alternate Offices Alternate offices are identified to support ongoing operations in the event the main office is unavailable. It is our intention to contact all clients within five days of a disaster that dictates moving our office to an alternate location. Loss of Key Personnel has signed a Business Continuation Agreement with another financial advisory firm to support Personal Financial Planning, Inc. in the event of Michael Helffrich s serious disability or death

18 Information Security Program Information Security maintains an information security program to reduce the risk that your personal and confidential information may be breached. Privacy Notice PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING, INC. is committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of the personal information that is entrusted to me. The categories of nonpublic information that I collect from my clients may include information about personal finances, information about health to the extent that it is needed for the financial planning process, information about transactions between clients and third parties, and information from consumer reporting agencies, e.g., credit reports. I use this information to help my clients meet personal financial goals. With my clients permission, I disclose limited information to attorneys, accountants, and mortgage lenders with whom they have established a relationship. My clients may opt out from sharing information with these nonaffiliated third parties by notifying me at any time by telephone, mail, fax, , or in person. I maintain a secure office to ensure that your information is not placed at unreasonable risk. I employ a firewall barrier, secure data encryption techniques and authentication procedures in the Personal Financial Planning, Inc. computer environment. I do not provide your personal information to mailing list vendors, solicitors, or other third parties. Federal and state securities regulators may review my company records and your personal records as permitted by law. Personally identifiable information about you will be maintained while you are a client, and for the required period thereafter that records are required to be maintained by federal and state securities laws. After that time, information may be destroyed. I will notify you in advance if our privacy policy is expected to change. I am required by law to deliver this Privacy Notice to you annually, in writing

19 Brochure Supplement (Part 2B of Form ADV) Education and Business Standards requires that any employee who provides investment advice to clients must be a bachelor s degree graduate of a recognized university or college and must: 1. Have at least three years experience in financial planning, public accounting or investments. 2. Be an attorney or hold the CFP designation. 3. Subscribe to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisers (NAPFA) and the CFP Board of Standards. 4. Be properly licensed for all advisory activities in which they are engaged. Professional Certifications Employees have earned certifications and credentials that are required to be explained in further detail. Certified Financial Planner (CFP ): Those holding the designation are granted it in the United States by the CFP Board of Standards, Inc. The CFP certification is voluntary, and no federal or state law or regulation requires financial planners to hold the CFP certification. Requirements to use the designation include: Education Complete an Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university. Specialized Education - Completion of the financial planning education requirements set by the CFP Board ( Examination: Successful completion of the 10-hour CFP Certification Exam. Experience: Three-year qualifying full-time work experience (measured as 2000 hours per year). Successfully pass the Candidate Fitness Standards and background check, and agree to be bound by the CFP Board s Standards of Professional Conduct

20 Individuals who become certified must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years, including two hours of the CFP Code of Ethics, in order to maintain competency. In addition, the CFP Standards of Professional Conduct prominently require CFP designees provide financial planning services at a fiduciary standard of care, working only in the best interests of their clients. Michael Helffrich, CFP, MBA, Owner Educational Background: Date of birth: 02/18/1943 Iowa State University Bachelor of Science 1965 Luther Theological Seminary Master of Divinity 1972 University of St. Thomas Master of Business Administration 1997 Business Experience: Michael founded in He received his CFP designation in June, He has been a member of NAPFA since He is also a member of the national Association of Tax Practitioners. Disciplinary Information: None Other Professional Activities: None Additional Compensation: None Supervision: None Arbitration Claims: None Self-Regulatory Organization or Administrative Proceeding: None Bankruptcy Petition: None