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Item 1: Cover Page
Topsail Wealth Management, LLC
Form ADV Part 2A
Investment Adviser Brochure
10800 Sikes Place, Ste. 230
Charlotte, NC 28277
(980) 308-9901
March 28, 2025
https://topsailwealthmanagement.com/
This brochure (the “Brochure”) provides information about the qualifications and business
practices of Topsail Wealth Management, LLC (“Topsail,” “Adviser,” or “Firm”). If you have
any questions about the contents of this Brochure, please contact Matthew P. Snipes, Chief
Compliance Officer, at (980) 308-9902 and/or matthew_snipes@topsailwm.com. 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. Registration as an investment
adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about the Adviser is also available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You may search this site using a unique identifying number,
known as a CRD number. Topsail Wealth Management, LLC’s CRD Number is 331098.
Item 2: Summary of Material Changes
This Brochure dated March 28, 2025, replaces the October 29, 2024, version of the, Form ADV
Part 2A filing for Topsail Wealth Management, LLC. This item of the brochure summarizes the
material changes that have occurred since Topsail Wealth Management’s initial filing of this
brochure. Since the initial filing, the following sections have been updated:
Item 4 – Advisory Business.
Item 5 – Fees and Compensation.
At any time, you may view the current Disclosure Brochure online at the SEC’s Investment
Adviser Public Disclosure website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov by searching with our firm name
or our CRD# 331098. You may also request a copy of this Disclosure Brochure at any time, by
contacting us at (980) 308-9902. Topsail Wealth Management will provide a copy of its current
brochure at any time without charge.
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Item 3: Table of Contents
Item 1: Cover Page
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Item 2: Summary of Material Changes
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Item 3: Table of Contents
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Item 4: Advisory Business
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Item 5: Fees and Compensation
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Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
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Item 7: Types of Clients
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Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information
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Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
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Item 13: Review of Accounts
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Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
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Item 15: Custody
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Item 16: Investment Discretion
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Item 17: Voting Client Securities
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Item 18: Financial Information
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Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Description
Topsail Wealth Management, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company, was formed in April
2022. Matthew P. Snipes is Founder, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Compliance Officer (the
“CCO”), and principal owner of the firm.
Advisory Services
Topsail was founded to provide high-net worth and ultra-high-net worth families with
comprehensive wealth management services. The Adviser focuses on the entire wealth
enterprise of each family with customized service to help our family clients make informed
decisions. Topsail tailors its service offering to meet the needs of each client it serves. Based upon
the direction of the client, the Adviser helps coordinate and implement strategies across the
following wealth management areas: financial planning, investment advisory, tax planning, and
estate planning. When working with clients, the Adviser will utilize a priorities-based approach
that enables the family to make informed decisions and work towards agreed-upon goals and
objectives.
Investment Advisory Services
As described above, the Adviser provides investment advice to clients based on the individual
needs, objectives, and risk tolerance of the client. Through discussions, interviews, and
questionnaires, Topsail will assist clients in determining their investment objectives. This may
include creating an Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”), financial plan, or making other
recommendations based on the client’s objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, tax
considerations and any other issues related to the client’s financial situation. Topsail will meet
with clients periodically to update this information when requested by the client or when
determined to be necessary or advisable by the Adviser based on changes to the client’s
financial or other circumstances.
Topsail will design customized, strategic asset allocations and provide a framework for the
management and oversight of the portfolio. Implementation of the client’s investment strategy is
typically through a diversified portfolio comprised of both passive and active strategies. Portfolios
may include domestic and foreign equities, fixed income, mutual funds, and exchange traded
funds. We will provide ongoing (monthly or quarterly, based upon client request) consolidated
reporting and meet with you periodically to discuss the performance of your investments and
update your financial information.
Clients may impose certain written restrictions on the Adviser in the management of their
investment portfolios, such as prohibiting the inclusion of certain types of investments in an
investment portfolio or prohibiting the sale of certain investments held in the account at the
commencement of the relationship. Each client should note, however, that restrictions
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imposed by a client may adversely affect the composition and performance of the client’s
investment portfolio. Each client should also note that his or her investment portfolio is treated
individually by considering each purchase or sale for the client’s account. For these and other
reasons, performance of client investment portfolios within the same investment objectives,
goals and/or risk tolerance may differ, and clients should not expect that the composition or
performance of their investment portfolios would necessarily be consistent with similar clients
of the Adviser.
Wrap Program
Topsail Wealth Management is the sponsor of a wrap fee program. Due to the nature of the wrap
fee program, all clients who are custodied at Altruist Financial, LLC (“Altruist”) and Charles
Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) are entered into it automatically, and as such, there is no
difference between how wrap fee accounts and other accounts are managed. Advisory fees are
not higher due to the wrap fee program and Topsail’s advisory fee encompasses the wrap
program.
The benefits under a wrap fee program depend, in part, upon the size of the account, the costs
associated with managing the account, and the frequency or type of securities transactions
executed in the account. For example, a wrap fee program may not be suitable for all accounts,
including but not limited to accounts holding primarily, and for any substantial period of time, cash
or cash equivalent investments, fixed income securities or no-transaction-fee mutual funds, or any
other type of security that can be traded without commissions or other transaction fees. In order to
evaluate whether a wrap fee arrangement is appropriate for you, you should compare the agreed-
upon Topsail advisory fee and any other costs associated with participating in our Wrap Fee Program
with the amounts that would be charged by other advisers, broker-dealers, and custodians, for
advisory fees, brokerage and execution costs, and custodial services comparable to those provided
under the Wrap Fee Program.
Conflict of Interest. When managing a client's account on a wrap fee basis, we receive as
compensation for our investment advisory services, the balance of the total wrap [or program]
fee you pay after custodial, trading and other management costs (including execution and
transaction fees) have been deducted. Accordingly, we have a conflict of interest because we
have a financial incentive to maximize our compensation by seeking to reduce or minimize
the total costs incurred in your account(s) subject to a wrap fee.
Schwab and Altruists generally do not charge commissions [or transaction fees] for online
trades of U.S. exchange-listed securities (including U.S. exchange-listed ETFs), and no-
transaction-fee (“NTF”) funds. This means that, in most cases, when we buy these types of
securities, we can do so without paying any commissions to Schwab or Altruist. We
encourage you to review your custodian’s pricing to compare the total costs of entering
into a wrap fee arrangement versus a non-wrap fee arrangement. If you choose to enter
into a wrap fee arrangement, your total cost to invest could exceed the cost of paying for
brokerage and advisory services separately.
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Topsail addresses these conflicts of interest by maintaining policies and procedures
requiring that the Firm act in the best interest of clients, reasonably supervising advisory
activities, providing its advisors with training, and disclosing these conflicts so that you can
make informed decisions.
Wealth Management and Estate Planning Services
Topsail offers wealth management and estate planning services which includes tax planning,
consultations with the client’s tax and legal professionals and assisting with building clients’
knowledge of the estate planning process and family office services. Topsail will provide services
and written reports related to the following areas:
• Financial planning
• Estate/trust/gift planning and review
• Life insurance summary and review
• Property and casualty insurance summary and review
• Debt review
• Cash projections and net worth planning
• Tax Planning
• Bookkeeping services
• Facilitation of banking and lending through independent partners 1
Separate Account Managers
When appropriate the Adviser may utilize one or more Separate Account Managers (each, a
“Manager”). Having access to various Managers offers a variety of manager styles and offers
clients the opportunity to utilize more than one Manager, if necessary, to meet the needs and
investment objectives of the client. The Adviser will recommend a Manager(s) it deems most
appropriate for the client. Factors that the Adviser considers in recommending Managers
generally includes the client’s stated investment objective(s), management style, performance,
risk level, reputation, financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research. If the client approves,
then the client appoints the Manager to manage the account and grants the Manager
discretionary authority to manage the portfolio. Topsail will maintain access to the account and
have the ability to effect other transactions in addition to the Manager’s. Topsail will monitor the
approach and performance of the Manager(s), and assist the client in understanding the
investments, and provide guidance to the client, including whether or not the client should
continue with the Manager. In limited circumstances, the client will select one or more
Managers recommended by the Adviser and enter into separate agreements with such
Managers.
1 Topsail does not receive any additional compensation from these independent partners.
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Retirement Plan Advisory Services
Topsail provides advisory services, on a non-discretionary basis to 401(k) retirement plans. In this
capacity, Topsail offers counsel and guidance to the plan sponsor for investment options available
to the plan participants. Topsail also monitors those investments and suggests replacements, as
needed. Topsail can also support the plan sponsor with participant education or advise the plan
sponsor in following a fiduciary process and investment policy.
Other Services Offered
Topsail also provides limited services other than services discussed above. These services include
bookkeeping services, or enhanced reporting services through QuickBooks, and trustee services.
Regulatory Assets Under Management
As of February 28, 2025, the Firm managed approximately $1,029,879,755 in regulatory assets
under management on a discretionary basis and $0 on a non-discretionary basis.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Investment Advisory Fees
Topsail offers fee-only advisory services. The Firm charges either an annual, flat advisory fee or
charges an advisory fee based on a client’s assets under management. Annual asset-based
advisory fees are calculated based on a tiered annual fee schedule. Each segment of a client’s
assets under management will generally follow the fee schedule below:
While Topsail reserves the right to negotiate a lower annual fee schedule, client relationships
with less than $3 million in asset under management are subject to the minimum fee schedule;
the tiered schedule only applies when assets exceed $3 million.
Client facts, circumstances and needs are considered in determining a negotiated Advisory Fee
schedule. Generally, we will group multiple accounts of a client (or group of related clients)
together for Advisory Fee billing purposes. There are certain circumstances where we would
not group accounts together for billing purposes, but clients are made aware if their accounts
are billed separately. Factors considered in determining the Advisory Fees charged include but
are not limited to the complexity of the client’s portfolio; assets to be placed under
management; anticipated future assets; related accounts; portfolio style; account composition;
or other special circumstances or requirements. Advisory fees are detailed in each client’s
advisory agreement between the Adviser and each client.
Clients pay the Advisory Fee quarterly in advance. The Advisory Fee is deducted directly from
each client’s account, if authorized by the client. Otherwise, clients are invoiced for their
quarterly Advisory Fee. If an account is opened after the start of a quarter, Advisory Fees will
be prorated accordingly. Subsequently, the quarterly Advisory Fee is based on the value of the
assets in the account(s) on the last business day of the previous calendar quarter. If the
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investment advisory agreement is terminated before the end of the calendar quarter in which
an Advisory Fee has been paid, the Adviser will provide a refund of the unearned portion of the
Advisory Fee to the client based on the number of days in the quarter prior to the termination
d ate into an account established through Topsail and its relationships with third party
custodians, or by check if the Firm no longer has access to the custodial account addition to the
Advisory Fee, there are additional costs and expenses imposed by companies other than the
Adviser and may include, but may not be limited to, mutual fund and exchange-traded fund
(“ETF”) management fees and expenses, brokerage fees paid to clear transactions, mark-
ups/mark-downs on fixed income trades, annual fees paid for custodial services, spreads paid
to market makers, fees for trades executed away from the custodian, wire transfer fees and
other fees and taxes on brokerage accounts and securities transactions. These charges are
separate and distinct from the fees paid for investment advisory services or other services
provided to clients. If clients are custodied and traded through Schwab or Altruist, Topsail
covers the trading fees for clients. Please refer to Topsail’s Appendix 1 Brochure Supplement
(Item 4).
Wealth Management and Estate Planning Fees
As described in Item 4 above, Topsail also offers other wealth management and estate planning
services, including financial planning, to clients. Fees for these services are determined according to
the scope and complexity of the client’s circumstances and stated objectives. Once Topsail and the
client agree upon the fee, one-quarter of the fee is due at the time an agreement for these types of
services is signed and the remaining fee will be prorated and charged on a monthly or quarterly
basis, in advance, unless otherwise stated in the agreement.
Separate Account Manager Fees
When a Separate Account Manager is utilized, the Manager’s fees will either be included in the
Advisory Fee charged by Topsail or billed to the client separately by the Manager.
Minimum schedule: Relationships with less than $3 million in AUM:
Minimum annual fee: Lesser of $9,000, or 1%.
Example calculation:
AUM less than or equal to $900,000 in AUM = 1%
$900,000 to $3,000,000 = $9,000
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Tiered schedule: Relationships exceeding $3 million in AUM:
0.30% on the first $5 million (up to $5 million in assets)
0.20% on the next $5 million (up to $10 million in assets)
0.10% on the next $15 million (up to $25 million in assets)
0.05% on the assets over $25 million
Example calculation for a client with $15 million
0.30% on the first $5 million = $15,000
0.20% on the next $5 million = $10,000
0.10% on the next $15 million = $5,000
0.05% on the assets over $25 million = $0
For a total advisory fee of $30,000
Retirement Plan Advisory Fees
Topsail charges an annual fee of up to 1% of assets under management for non-discretionary
advisory services to 401(k) retirement plans. The fees are billed quarterly in advance.
Fees for Other Services Offered
Minimum fees for bookkeeping services are $250 per month. Fees for trustee services are available
for a minimum fee of $10,000 per year. Bookkeeping and trustee services and fees are stated in the
client’s services agreement. Fees are billed directly to the client. These charges are separate and
distinct from the fees paid for investment advisory services.
Fee Billing Methods
Topsail will bill you directly for services provided, or you may authorize us to have your fees
deducted directly from your account. This authorization will be included in the advisory
agreement, or other services agreement, and custodian account opening documents that you
will execute to engage our services, as applicable.
Your custodian will provide you with statements that show the amount of any fees paid directly
to Topsail. Your custodian does not verify the accuracy of our fee calculations.
Other Fees and Expenses
Clients are advised that if securities transferred into the client’s account are sold, there may be
transaction costs, fees assessed at the mutual fund level (i.e., contingent deferred sales charge),
and/or potential tax ramifications. While Topsail will cover the transaction fees charged by
Schwab or Altruist, there are account maintenance fees, or other fees, charged by those
custodians. Client accounts will be charged transactions-related fees if the account is held a
custodian other than Schwab or Altruist.
Please see Item 12 - Brokerage Practices, in this brochure which further describes the factors
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that Topsail considers in selecting or recommending broker-dealers for client transactions and
determining the reasonableness of their compensation (e.g., commissions), if applicable.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
Neither the Adviser nor any of its officers or investment adviser representatives accept
performance-based fees. “Side by Side Management” refers to a situation in which the same
firm manages accounts that are charged on a performance fee basis and at the same time
manages accounts that are charged another type of fee, such as an hourly or flat fee or an asset-
based fee.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Types of Clients
Topsail provides advisory services primarily to high-net-worth individuals and their families,
including their trusts, estates, and retirement accounts and retirement plans. We also
provide services to corporations, business entities and family foundations.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
Adviser’s investment process begins with determining the appropriate strategic asset allocation
for each client. Asset allocation involves translating the client’s circumstances, objectives, and
constraints into an appropriate portfolio for achieving the client’s goals within the client’s
tolerance for risk. Asset class targets will be defined by the following asset classes: Equity, Fixed
Income, Alternative Investments, and Cash Equivalents. After asset allocation is determined,
the next step in our process is to determine the specific investments that will be used to
implement the targeted allocations.
Topsail’s methodology is based on research conducted in-house, research obtained from public
and private sources, and independent models. The approach is focused on meeting long- term
financial objectives. Topsail seeks success in its investment recommendations by maintaining a
broadly diversified portfolio, rather than attempting to predict which investments will provide a
certain level of performance at any given time. Topsail portfolios invest in a variety of market
sectors and asset classes.
Topsail’s investment strategies follow a disciplined, long-term approach that prioritizes
managing risk through appropriate asset allocation and diversification. The firm’s methodology
uses a strategic approach by focusing on the mix of asset classes that align with the client’s
personalized financial goals. Once an asset allocation is determined, Topsail recommends
specific investments to balance the client’s portfolio to the prescribed asset allocation and sub-
allocation.
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Portfolio decisions rely on information provided by the client such as rate of savings, percentage
of income needed in retirement, portfolio withdrawals, tax rates, taxable capital gains and
losses, college costs, and market returns, to develop an investment strategy tailored to each
client’s individual needs.
Mutual funds and ETFs are evaluated and selected based on a variety of factors, including, as
applicable and without limitation, portfolio management team philosophy, investment
selection process, past adherence to stated process, past performance, internal fee structure,
strength and reputation of fund sponsor, overall ratings for safety and returns, portfolio
manager, consistency of performance, and other factors.
Fixed income investments may be used to fulfill liquidity or income needs in a portfolio, or to
add a component of capital preservation. The Adviser may evaluate and select individual bonds
or bond funds based on a number of factors including, without limitation, rating, yield and
duration.
Investment Strategies
The Adviser’s strategic approach is to invest each portfolio based on the individual needs, goals
and objectives and risk tolerance of the client and employing a long-term approach which
means that securities are purchased with the expectation that the value of those securities will
grow over a relatively long period of time, generally greater than one year.
Risk of Loss
Investing in securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear. While the
Adviser seeks to diversify clients’ investment portfolios across various asset classes consistent
with their objectives in an effort to reduce risk of loss, all investment portfolios are subject to
risks. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that client investment portfolios will be able to
fully meet their investment objectives and goals, or that investments will not lose money.
Below is a description of several of the principal risks that client investment portfolios face.
Economic Conditions. Changes in economic conditions, including, for example, interest rates,
inflation rates, employment conditions, competition, technological developments, political and
diplomatic events and trends, and tax laws may adversely affect the business prospects or
perceived prospects of companies. While the Adviser or a Manager performs due diligence on
the companies in whose securities it invests, economic conditions are not within the control of
the Adviser, or the Manager and no assurances can be given that the Adviser or the Manager will
anticipate adverse developments.
Risks of Investments in Mutual Funds and ETFs. As described above, the Adviser and any
Managers may invest client portfolios in mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”).
These types of investment funds are generally less risky than investing in individual securities
because of their diversified portfolios; however, these investments are still subject to risks
associated with the sectors or markets in which they invest. In addition, the funds’ success will
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be related to the skills of the funds’ investment managers and their performance in managing
their funds. These funds are also subject to risks due to regulatory restrictions applicable to
registered investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Equity Market Risks. The Adviser and any Managers will generally invest portions of client assets
directly into equity investments, primarily stocks, or into pooled investment funds that invest
in the stock market. As noted above, while pooled investment funds have diversified portfolios
that may make them less risky than investments in individual securities, funds that invest in
stocks and other equity securities are nevertheless subject to the risks of the stock market.
These risks include, without limitation, the risks that stock values will decline due to daily
fluctuations in the markets, and that stock values will decline over longer periods (e.g., bear
markets) due to general market declines in the stock prices for all companies, regardless of any
individual security’s prospects.
Fixed Income Risks. The Adviser and any Managers may invest portions of client assets directly
into fixed income instruments, such as bonds and notes, or may invest in pooled investment
funds that invest in bonds and notes. While investing in fixed income instruments, either
directly or through pooled investment funds, is generally less volatile than investing in stock
(equity) markets, fixed income investments nevertheless are subject to risks. These risks
include, without limitation, interest rate risks (risks that changes in interest rates will devalue
the investments), credit risks (risks of default by borrowers), or maturity risk (risks that bonds
or notes will change value from the time of issuance to maturity).
Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Registered investment advisers are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would be material to a client’s evaluation of the Adviser or the integrity
of the Adviser’s management. The Adviser has no disciplinary events to report.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Adviser’s management persons are not registered, nor do any management persons have an
application pending to register, as a broker-dealer or a registered representative of a broker-
dealer. Adviser’s management persons are not registered, nor do any management persons
have an application pending to register, as a futures commission merchant, commodity pool
operator, a commodity trading Adviser, or an associated person of the foregoing entities.
Adviser receives no additional compensation directly or indirectly from the third-party
investment managers it recommends or engages to manage portions of your portfolios.
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Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading
Code of Ethics and Personal Trading
The Adviser has adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”), the full text of which is available to you
upon request. The Code is designed to assist the Adviser in complying with applicable laws and
regulations governing its investment advisory business. Under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as amended, the Adviser owes fiduciary duties to its clients. Pursuant to these fiduciary
duties, the Code requires Adviser associated persons to act with honesty, good faith, and fair
dealing in working with clients. In addition, the Code prohibits associated persons from trading
or otherwise acting on insider information.
The Code sets forth guidelines for professional standards for the Adviser’s associated persons
(managers, officers, and employees). Under the Code’s Professional Standards, the Adviser
expects its associated persons to put the interests of its clients first, ahead of personal interests.
In this regard, Adviser associated persons are not to take inappropriate advantage of their
positions in relation to Adviser clients.
The Code sets forth policies and procedures to monitor and review the personal trading
activities of associated persons. From time to time, the Adviser’s associated persons may invest
in the same securities recommended to clients. This may create a conflict of interest because
associated persons of the Adviser may invest in securities ahead of or to the exclusion of the
Adviser clients. Under its Code, the Adviser has adopted procedures designed to reduce or
eliminate conflicts of interest that this could potentially cause. The Code’s personal trading
policies include procedures for limitations on personal securities transactions of associated
persons, including prohibiting trading by an associated person in any security within a certain
period before any client account trades or considers trading the same security and the creation
of a restricted securities list, reporting and review of personal trading activities and pre-
clearance of certain types of personal trading activities. These policies are designed to
discourage and prohibit personal trading that would disadvantage clients. The Code also
provides for disciplinary action as appropriate for violations. Topsail will provide a copy of the
Firm’s Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request.
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
As outlined above, the Adviser has adopted procedures to protect client interests when its
associated persons invest in the same securities as those selected for or recommended to
clients. In the event of any identified potential trading conflicts of interest, the Adviser’s goal is
to place client interests first.
The Code contains policies regarding participation in initial public offerings (IPOs”) and private
placements to comply with applicable laws and avoid conflicts with client transactions. If an
associated person wishes to participate in an IPO or invest in a private placement, he/she must
submit a pre-clearance request and obtain the approval of the CCO.
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Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Best Execution and Benefits of Brokerage Selection
When given discretion to select the brokerage firm that will execute orders in client accounts, the
Adviser seeks “best execution” for client trades, which is a combination of a number of factors,
including, without limitation, quality of execution, services provided and fees charged. As
mentioned in Item 5 – Fees and Compensation of this Brochure, Topsail will cover any transaction fees
charged by Schwab or Altruist, however there may be transaction fees charged to the client
account if the account is held a custodian other than Schwab or Altruist.
Directed Brokerage
Clients may direct the Adviser to use a particular broker for custodial or transaction services on
behalf of the client’s portfolio. In directed brokerage arrangements, the client is responsible for
negotiating the commission rates and other fees to be paid to the broker. Accordingly, a client
who directs brokerage should consider whether such designation may result in certain costs or
disadvantages to the client, either because the client may pay higher commissions or obtain less
favorable execution, or the designation limits the investment options available to the client.
The arrangement that the Adviser has with Schwab and Altruist is designed to maximize efficiency
and to be cost effective. By directing brokerage arrangements, the client acknowledges that these
economies of scale and levels of efficiency are generally compromised when alternative brokers
are used. While every effort is made to treat clients fairly over time, the fact that a client chooses
to use the brokerage and/or custodial services of alternative service providers may in fact result
in a certain degree of delay in executing trades for their account(s) and otherwise adversely affect
management of their account(s). By directing the Adviser to use a specific broker or dealer, clients
who are subject to ERISA confirm and agree with the Adviser that they have the authority to make
the direction, that there are no provisions in any client or plan document which are inconsistent
with the direction, that the brokerage and other goods and services provided by the broker or
dealer through the brokerage transactions are provided solely to and for the benefit of the client’s
plan, plan participants and their beneficiaries, that the amount paid for the brokerage and other
services have been determined by the client and the plan to be reasonable, that any expenses
paid by the broker on behalf of the plan are expenses that the plan would otherwise be obligated
to pay, and that the specific broker or dealer is not a party in interest of the client or the plan as
defined under applicable ERISA regulations.
Aggregated Trade Policy
The Adviser generally performs customized investment management services for various
clients and does not typically aggregate trades. Should there be an instance when portfolio
transactions are executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for more than one client account, the Firm will effect and aggregated trades only when
we believe that to do so will be in the best interest of the affected accounts with the objective
being to allocate the executions in a manner which is deemed equitable to the accounts
involved.
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Item 13: Review of Accounts
Reviews
Managed portfolios are reviewed on a regular basis and at least quarterly by Matthew Snipes,
who owns the Firm and serves as CEO and CCO. Additional reviews are conducted upon client
request. Other factors that could trigger a review include receipt of information material to the
management of the portfolio, or at any time such review is deemed necessary or advisable by
the Adviser, such as a change in client circumstances or, economic, political or market
conditions.
Reporting
Topsail also prepares and provides account reports to clients at least quarterly. From time to
time and in accordance with the Adviser’s investment advisory agreement with clients, the
Adviser will provide additional reports. These reports are in addition to the account statements
provide by custodians.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Topsail receives referrals from an unaffiliated CPA firm. Topsail does not compensate the firm for these
referrals. Additionally, we do not receive any other compensation for advisory services from other
parties who are not clients.
Item 15: Custody
Topsail is deemed as having custody of client assets. For assets required to be held at a qualified
custodian, the custodian sends account statements directly to clients at least quarterly and
clients should carefully review those custodian statements. Topsail also provides clients with
account statements which includes a statement urging clients to compare the custodian
account statements they receive with those they receive from Topsail.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
As described in Item 4 - Advisory Business, Topsail will manage the client’s investment portfolio
on a discretionary or a non-discretionary basis pursuant to an investment advisory agreement
with the client. As a discretionary investment adviser, the Adviser will have the authority to
supervise and direct the portfolio without prior consultation with the client.
Clients who choose a non-discretionary arrangement must be contacted prior to the execution
of any trade in the account(s) under management. This may result in a delay in executing
recommended trades, which could adversely affect the performance of the portfolio. In a non-
discretionary arrangement, the client retains the responsibility for the final decision on all
actions taken with respect to the portfolio.
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Discretionary authority is covered in each client’s investment advisory agreement.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
The Adviser will not accept authority to vote client securities. The custodian of the client’s
assets will send all proxies directly to the client, so that the client may vote the proxies. Clients
may contact the Adviser with questions relating to proxy procedures and proposals; however,
the Adviser generally does not research particular proxy proposals.
Item 18: Financial Information
The Adviser has no financial commitment that impairs its ability to meet contractual and
fiduciary commitments to clients and has not been the subject of a bankruptcy proceeding.
The Adviser does not require or solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees per client, six
months or more in advance; and therefore, is not required to provide a balance sheet to clients.
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