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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Firm Brochure
CRD Number: 288903
March 10, 2025
1630 W Oak St
Suite 201
Zionsville, IN 46077
Telephone: (317) 559-0688
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices
of Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC (“Adviser”). If you have any questions about
the contents of this brochure, please contact us by telephone at: (317) 559-0688,
or by email at: KCuster@EnvisionRIA.com.
The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities
authority. The Adviser’s registration as an Investment Adviser does not imply a
certain level of skill or training.
Additional information about the Adviser is available on the SEC’s website at
www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Item 2: Material Changes
Annual Update
The Firm Brochure will be updated annually or when material changes occur
since the last update.
Material Changes since the last annual update in March 2024:
•
Item 4: Updated Assets Under Management information to reflect
values as of December 31, 2024.
Full Brochure Available
Whenever you would like to receive a complete copy of our Firm Brochure,
please contact Kim Custer by telephone at: 317-559-0688, or by e-mail at:
kcuster@envisionria.com.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Table of Contents
Item 2: Material Changes ............................................................................................... i
Annual Update ............................................................................................................ i
Material Changes since the last annual update in March 2024 ................................... i
Full Brochure Available ............................................................................................... i
Item 4: Advisory Business ........................................................................................... 3
Firm Description ......................................................................................................... 3
Other Services ........................................................................................................... 5
Tailored Relationships ............................................................................................... 6
Managed Assets ........................................................................................................ 6
Item 5: Fees and Compensation .................................................................................. 6
Negotiated Fees......................................................................................................... 8
Billing of Fees ............................................................................................................ 8
Other Fees ................................................................................................................. 8
Commission Transactions .......................................................................................... 9
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ............................ 9
Sharing of Capital Gains ............................................................................................ 9
Item 7: Types of Clients ................................................................................................ 9
Description ................................................................................................................. 9
Account Minimums ..................................................................................................... 9
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss .................... 9
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies ........................................................ 9
Risks of Loss ........................................................................................................... 10
Item 9: Disciplinary Information ................................................................................. 12
Legal and Disciplinary .............................................................................................. 12
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ................................... 12
Other Financial Industry Activities ............................................................................ 12
Canterbury Relationship Disclosure ......................................................................... 12
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading ......................................................................................................... 12
Code of Ethics.......................................................................................................... 12
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions ......................................................... 13
Personal Trading...................................................................................................... 13
Item 12: Brokerage Practices ..................................................................................... 13
Broker-Dealer Selection ........................................................................................... 13
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. ...................................................................................... 14
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits ................................................................. 15
Order Aggregation, Allocation and Rotation Practices ............................................. 16
Directed Brokerage .................................................................................................. 17
Trading Error Policy ................................................................................................. 18
Item 13: Review of Accounts ...................................................................................... 18
Periodic Reviews ..................................................................................................... 18
Review Triggers ....................................................................................................... 18
Regular Reports and Electronic Delivery ................................................................. 18
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation.................................................. 18
Other Compensation ................................................................................................ 18
Client Referrals ........................................................................................................ 19
Item 15: Custody ......................................................................................................... 19
Custody .................................................................................................................... 19
Item 16: Investment Discretion .................................................................................. 20
Discretionary Authority for Trading ........................................................................... 20
Non-Discretionary Authority for Trading ................................................................... 20
Investment Consulting ............................................................................................. 21
Item 17: Voting Client Securities................................................................................ 21
Proxy Votes ............................................................................................................. 21
Item 18: Financial Information ................................................................................... 21
Financial Information ................................................................................................ 21
Privacy Policy .............................................................................................................. 22
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Item 4: Advisory Business
Firm Description
Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC (“WAS,” or, the “Adviser”) is an Indiana limited
liability company formed on May 25, 2017. The Adviser is an investment
adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”)
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment
Advisers Act”). Kim Custer, Steve Kyburz, and Ty Needler are the principal
owners of the Adviser. WAS is doing business as Intelligent Design Advisors,
LLC located at 7230 Arbuckle Commons Suite 233 Brownsburg, IN 46112.
Intelligent Design Advisors, LLC is operated by M. Chet Warren. WAS is also
doing business as Cedar Wealth Partners, located at 1630 W Oak St, Suite
201, Zionsville, IN 46077 and at 1340 Ohio Street, Terre Haute, IN 47807.
Cedar Wealth Partners is operated by Kyle Marburger, Ty Needler, and Rick
Davis. WAS is also doing business as The Monument Circle Group, located at
1630 West Oak Street Ste 100 Zionsville, IN 46077. The Monument Circle
Group is operated by Steven Smith, Johnelle Smith and Ty Needler.
The primary types of investment advisory services offered by the Adviser are
financial planning, investment consulting, and investment advisory services,
namely asset management.
Financial Planning
The Adviser works to develop a comprehensive financial plan for every client.
WAS begins with an intensive fact-finding session which helps the Adviser
become totally familiar with the client’s current financial situation (including
among other things, income taxes, investments, insurance, estate affairs and
family circumstances), as well as their personal goals and priorities for the next
several years. Then, working from this comprehensive information, the Adviser
prepares a detailed financial plan which documents the client’s situation,
identifies all areas which will be impacted, and makes specific goal-oriented
recommendations. The Adviser’s specific goal-oriented recommendations are
designed to educate and allow a client to coordinate his/her financial affairs
more efficiently, increase cash flow, prudently reduce income taxes, and
attempt to improve his/her overall net worth. Once this written document has
been discussed with the client, the recommendations that the client feels
comfortable with are scheduled for implementation with specific deadlines to
be met. WAS continues to assist the client based on an annual review of
services in all applicable areas of financial planning including estate,
retirement, cash flow and tax planning.
Investment Consulting
WAS works to provide institutional retirement plans and the plan sponsors with
diversified investment options for plan participants to choose from. In addition,
as requested by the plan sponsor, the Adviser shall provide plan participants
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investment allocation strategies,
with general information seminars and/or educational materials that describe
the various investment alternatives available under the plan, information about
investing generally, including information about different types of investments,
including
information about different
information about historical returns, and interactive materials designed to help
participants identify an appropriate investment strategy.
Investment Management
Investment advisory services offered by WAS are specifically tailored to meet
the needs of each client. Prior to delivering investment advisory services, the
Adviser will ascertain each client’s specific investment objective. Then WAS will
allocate, or recommend that the client allocate, their investment assets
consistent with the designated investment objective. Clients may impose
reasonable restrictions on any of the Adviser’s investment advisory services at
any time, but restrictions must be delivered to the Adviser in writing, and must
be signed by the client.
Please note: It is always the client’s responsibility to promptly notify WAS if
there is any change in their financial situation or investment objective. This
notification of change allows the Adviser an opportunity to review, evaluate, or
revise our previous recommendations or services.
Rollover Recommendations
As part of our investment advisory services to you, we may recommend that
you withdraw the assets from your employer's retirement plan and roll the
assets over to an individual retirement account ("IRA") that we will manage on
your behalf. If you elect to roll the assets to an IRA that is subject to our
management, we will charge you an asset-based fee as set forth in the
agreement you executed with our firm. This practice presents a conflict of
interest because persons providing investment advice on our behalf have an
incentive to recommend a rollover to you for the purpose of generating fee-
based compensation rather than solely based on your needs. You are under
no obligation, contractually or otherwise, to complete the rollover. Moreover, if
you do complete the rollover, you are under no obligation to have the assets in
an IRA managed by our firm.
Many employers permit former employees to keep their retirement assets in
their company plan. Also, current employees can sometimes move assets out
of their company plan before they retire or change jobs. In determining whether
to complete the rollover to an IRA, and to the extent the following options are
available, you should consider the costs and benefits of: 1)) Leaving the funds
in your employer's (former employer's) plan; 2) moving the funds to a new
employer's retirement plan; 3) cashing out and taking a taxable distribution from
the plan; and/or 4) rolling the funds into an IRA rollover account. Each of these
options has advantages and disadvantages and before making a change we
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
the reason(s)
for why
encourage you to speak with your CPA and/or tax attorney. Our
recommendations may include any of them, depending on what we feel is in
your best interest.
We are fiduciaries under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and when we
provide investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account or
individual retirement account, we are also fiduciaries within the meaning of Title
I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and/or the Internal Revenue
Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts. As a
fiduciary, we are required
the
to document
recommendation we made is in your best interest.
Additional Services
The Adviser may furnish advice on matters not involving securities, such as:
Personal Financial Planning
Education Planning
Employee Benefits & 401(k) Guidance
Corporate Retirement Plan Guidance
Tax Planning
Retirement Income Planning
Withdrawal Rate Analysis
Cash Flow & Budgeting
Insurance Review & Planning
Estate & Charitable Gift Planning
Business Successions
Other Services
Managed Non-Discretionary Assets
In addition to providing investment management of client assets on a
discretionary basis, the Adviser, for a separate and additional fee, provides
certain limited services to clients with respect to “Managed Non-Discretionary
Assets.” The Firm may waive this additional fee at its sole discretion. These
services consist solely of the following:
WAS is available to consult with the client on a semi-annual basis (or more
often if requested by the client) regarding the Managed Non-Discretionary
Assets. However, the client is solely responsible for all decisions and
consequences on the client’s Managed Non-Discretionary Assets, including
decisions on whether to retain or sell all or a portion of the Managed Non-
Discretionary Assets. This responsibility remains solely with the client
regardless of whether any security is reflected on account reports prepared by
the Adviser.
WAS is available to service Managed Non-Discretionary Assets, such as setting
up and monitoring regular distributions and special one-time distribution
requests.
The Adviser can process any trades on the Managed Non-Discretionary
Assets, but only when requested to do so by the client. Upon receipt of any
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client’s request, WAS will endeavor, but cannot guarantee, that any such
transaction will be effected on the day received or at any specific time or price.
Limitations for Non-Discretionary Assets
Clients that engage the Adviser on a non-discretionary investment advisory
basis must be willing to accept that WAS cannot effect any account transactions
without obtaining prior consent to any such transaction(s) from the client. Thus,
in the event of a market correction during which the client is unavailable, WAS
will be unable to effect any account transactions (as it would for its discretionary
accounts) without first obtaining the client’s consent.
Tailored Relationships
At the Adviser, advisory services are tailored to the specific needs of each
client. Prior to providing advisory services, the Adviser will ascertain each
client’s investment goals and objectives. The Adviser then allocates and/or
recommends that the client allocate investment assets consistent with the
designated investment objective. The client may, at any time, impose
reasonable restrictions on the Adviser’s services, but restrictions must be
delivered to the Adviser in writing, and must be signed by the client.
In performing services for the client, the Adviser is not required to verify any
information it received from the client or from the client’s other professionals
and the Adviser is expressly authorized by the client to rely on this information.
Each client is advised that it remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify
the Adviser if there is ever any change in the client’s financial situation or
investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing, evaluating or revising the
Adviser’s previous recommendations or services to the client.
Managed Assets
As of December 31, 2024, Wealth Advisory Solutions managed a total of
$546,496,447 in discretionary assets under management and $13,905,535 in
non-discretionary assets under management.
Item 5: Fees and Compensation
Financial Planning Fees
An initial meeting is scheduled with a prospective client at no cost or obligation.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform the prospective client of the types of
services WAS provides and to generally discuss what the client desires from
such a financial planning relationship. If the prospective client is interested in
exploring the Adviser’s services in more detail, WAS will review the prospective
client’s recent income tax returns and a listing of his/her assets and liabilities.
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At a subsequent session, the prospective client is given an idea of the specific
value of pursuing this financial planning process and is quoted a fee for the
financial planning services to be provided. The financial planning fee is quoted
on a project basis and covers projected time and expense associated in
working with this client for a twelve-month period. This includes gathering data,
developing the written plan, reviewing the plan with appropriate advisers,
discussing the plan with the client, implementation, and continuing to review,
monitor and update the client’s affairs throughout the ensuing twelve months.
A 50% deposit of the initial financial planning fee is due once the client has
agreed to the financial planning relationship.
The financial planning fee is based upon several factors, including: net worth,
gross income, complexity of one’s financial affairs, and the time necessary to
meet each individual client’s goals and priorities. Certain unforeseen expenses
may not be included in the financial planning fee and would be billed directly.
Once the client verbally agrees to the personal financial planning process, the
process to develop the written documents begins. Once the financial plan is
completed and the appropriate advisers have reviewed the plan, a meeting is
scheduled to discuss the plan and the specific items to be implemented with
the client. The client takes from this meeting the written plan.
The balance of the financial planning fee is billed to the client within 180 days
of the start of the relationship and can be paid by the client in any manner
suitable to the client within 30 days of the invoice date. The financial planning
fee shall be mutually agreed upon in advance by and between the client and
WAS. Any such fee shall be separate from the asset-based investment
management fee. The Adviser reserves the right to waive some or the entire
financial planning fee.
Discretionary Asset Fees
The Adviser bases its annual investment management fee for managed
discretionary assets upon a percentage (%) of the market value of the assets
and the specific types of investment management services provided. WAS
charges an annual fee of up to 2.75% of assets under management. The
Adviser may choose to charge a lower asset-based fee at its sole discretion.
Managed Non-Discretionary Asset Fees
investment management
The annual
fee charged on Managed Non-
Discretionary Assets of up to 2.75%. Fees shall be assessed quarterly, in
advance, based on the asset values as of the day prior to the period being billed.
New accounts will be assessed a prorated fee dependent upon the number of
days remaining in the quarter.
Investment Consulting Asset Fees
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
The Adviser bases its annual investment consulting fee for institutional
retirement plan assets upon a percentage (%) of the market value of the assets
and the specific types of investment consulting services provided. WAS charges
an annual fee of up to 2.75% of assets under management. The Adviser may
choose to charge a lower asset based fee at its sole discretion.
Negotiated Fees
The Adviser, in its sole discretion, may reduce its investment management fee
based upon certain factors, like anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated
future additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed, related
accounts, account composition, negotiations with client and other
considerations.
Billing of Fees
WAS’ investment management fees shall be assessed quarterly, in advance,
based on the asset values as of the day prior to the period being billed. New
accounts will be assessed a prorated fee dependent upon the number of days
remaining in the quarter. WAS clients must provide their consent in advance
to direct debiting of investment management fees from their custodial account.
The Investment Advisory Agreement and the custodial/ clearing agreement
authorize the custodian to debit the client account for the amount of the
Adviser’s investment management fee, and to directly remit that investment
management fee to WAS in compliance with regulatory procedures. In the
limited event that the Adviser bills the client directly, payment in full is expected
upon presentation of the invoice.
Other Fees
transactions.
For example,
the Adviser’s
investment management
Unless clients direct otherwise or an individual client’s circumstances require,
the Adviser generally recommends one of several unaffiliated custodians (e.g.,
First Clearing, Charles Schwab, etc.) serve as the broker-dealer/custodian for
client investment accounts. Broker-dealers such as those listed above may
charge brokerage commissions and/or transaction fees for effecting certain
securities
these custodians may charge
commissions for individual equity and fixed income securities transactions or
fees may be charged for certain no-load mutual fund transactions. In addition
to
fee, custodial brokerage
commissions and/or transaction fees, clients will also incur, relative to all
mutual fund and exchange traded fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund
level (e.g., management fees and other fund expenses).
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Commission Transactions
traded
funds
for
The Adviser primarily recommends the purchase of no-load mutual fund
securities and/or exchange
implementing investment
recommendations. WAS does not actively direct clients to traditional, full
service/commission brokers. Most of the Adviser’s clients do not use traditional
brokers. As described earlier, WAS generally recommends using the services
of a centralized custodian/discount broker.
Item 6: Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side
Management
Sharing of Capital Gains
The Adviser does not advise any client accounts that are subject to
performance-based fee arrangements.
Item 7: Types of Clients
Description
The Adviser predominantly offers its services to individuals, high net worth
individuals, pension and profit sharing plans and participants, trusts, estates,
charitable organizations, corporations or business entities.
Account Minimums
WAS generally requires an account minimum of $100,000 for investment
management services. When a consolidated client account value in this
program falls below $100,000 in value, the minimum quarterly fee of $250.00
may be charged. WAS Clients with assets at or below the minimum account
size may pay a higher percentage rate on their annual advisory fees than the
fees paid by clients with significantly greater assets under management.
The Adviser may reduce or waive its minimum asset requirement based upon
certain factors, like anticipated future earning capacity, anticipated future
additional assets, dollar amount of assets to be managed, related accounts,
account composition, negotiations with client and other considerations. Other
exceptions may apply to employees of the Adviser and their relatives, or
relatives of existing clients.
Item 8: Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and
Risk of Loss
Methods of Analysis and Investment Strategies
The Adviser’s security analysis methods may include fundamental analysis,
technical analysis, charting and cyclical analysis.
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The main sources of information for analysis include financial newspapers and
magazines, inspections of corporate activities, research materials prepared by
others, corporate rating services, annual reports, prospectuses, filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and company press releases.
Additional research tools and sources of information that the Adviser may use
include mutual fund and stock information provided by unaffiliated third parties
(e.g., Morningstar, etc.) and many other reports located on the Internet using
the World Wide Web.
The Adviser may utilize the following investment strategies when implementing
investment advice given to clients:
• Long Term Purchases: (securities held at least a year)
• Short Term Purchases: (securities sold within a year)
• Trading: (securities sold within thirty (30) days)
• Options (contract for the purchase or sale of a security at a
predetermined price during a specific period of time)
Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation may be utilized with domestic mutual
funds, exchange-traded funds, or stocks and bonds as the core investments.
Global mutual funds, sector funds and specialty exchange-traded funds may
be added as satellite positions. Portfolios may be further diversified among
large, medium and small sized investments in an effort to control the risk
associated with traditional markets. Investment strategies designed for each
client are based upon specific objectives stated by the client during
consultations. Clients may change their specific objectives at any time. Each
client executes an Investment Policy Statement that documents their specific
objectives and their desired investment strategy.
Please Note: Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk,
and it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific
investment or investment strategy recommended or undertaken by the Adviser
will be profitable or equal any specific performance level. Investing in
securities involves risk of loss that clients should be prepared to bear.
Risks of Loss
Risk is inherent in any investment in securities and the Adviser does not
guarantee any level of return on a client’s investments. There is no assurance
that a client’s investment objectives will be achieved. A client may be subject
to certain risks, including, but not limited to, the risks described below. The
risks discussed below vary by investment style or strategy, and may or may not
apply to a client. A client should also review the prospectuses or other
disclosure documents for the securities purchased for the client’s account, as
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they will contain important information about the risks associated with investing
in such securities.
Investment strategies recommended by the Adviser may also be subject to
some or all of the following types of risk:
•
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 may 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 investors are
interested in buying or selling 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.
• Please Note: In light of these risks of loss and potentially enhanced
volatility, clients may direct the Adviser, in writing at any time, not to
employ any or all of the investment strategies recommended by WAS
for their account.
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Item 9: Disciplinary Information
Legal and Disciplinary
The Adviser has not been the subject of any legal or disciplinary actions.
Item 10: Other Financial Industry Activities and
Affiliations
Other Financial Industry Activities
The Adviser is not registered as a securities broker-dealer, futures commission
merchant, commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor.
Canterbury Relationship Disclosure
A Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC (“WAS”) employee and principal owner is
also employed by and licensed with Canterbury Investment Management
(“Canterbury”). Canterbury is an SEC-registered investment adviser. In rare
instances, the Adviser allocates a portion of client’s investment to mutual funds
advised by Canterbury. Canterbury charges an asset management fee that is
separate from any other fees you pay to the adviser. The fee will be specified
in your agreement. Please note, the investment services of Canterbury provided
by individuals dually employed at WAS does not result in additional
compensation to WAS or our employees.
Item 11: Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
The Adviser maintains an investment policy for personal securities transactions
at its business and it is part of the Adviser’s general Code of Ethics (the “Code”).
The Adviser establishes the standard of business conduct for all employees
that are based on the fundamental principles of openness, integrity, honesty
and trust. The Adviser also maintains and enforces written policies
reasonably designed to prevent the Adviser or any person associated with
Adviser from misusing material non-public information to comply with Section
204A of the Investment Advisers Act. Neither the Adviser, nor any related
person of the Adviser, will recommend, buy, or sell securities within client
accounts which the Adviser or a related person of the Adviser may have a
material financial interest.
A copy of the Adviser’s Code is available to any client or potential client upon
request.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Participation or Interest in Client Transactions
The Adviser and/or its representatives may engage in securities transactions
for their own accounts, including the same or related securities that are
recommended to or owned by clients of the Adviser. These transactions may
include trading in securities in a manner that differs from, or is inconsistent with,
the advice given to clients of the Adviser, and the transactions may occur at or
about the same time that such securities are recommended to or are purchased
or sold for client accounts. This creates a potential for a conflict between the
interest of the clients and the interests of the Adviser and/or its representatives.
Personal Trading
To address the potential for conflict of interests, the Adviser has adopted a
Code that applies to its representatives who have access to non-public
information relating to advisory client accounts (“Access Persons”). The Code
prohibits Access Persons from using knowledge about advisory client account
transactions to profit personally, directly or indirectly, by trading in his/her
personal accounts. In addition, an Access Person who has discretionary
authority over client accounts must generally pre-clear his/her trades or obtain
prior authorization from the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer before
executing a trade. Unless an enumerated exception exists, the Code also
prohibits Access Persons who have discretionary authority over client accounts
from executing a security transaction for their personal accounts during a
blackout period that can extend from one to seven days before or after the date
that a client transaction in that same security is executed.
Item 12: Brokerage Practices
Broker-Dealer Selection
The Adviser selects broker-dealers to execute trade order for a client’s account,
unless the client has provided instructions to the Adviser to the contrary. As an
investment adviser, the Adviser has an obligation to seek “best execution” of
client trade orders. “Best execution” means that the Adviser must place client
trade orders with those broker-dealers that the Adviser believes are capable of
providing the best qualitative execution of client trade orders under the
circumstances, taking into account the full range and quality of the services
offered by the broker-dealer. When selecting a broker or dealer, the Adviser
may consider the following factors: (i) client preferences, (ii) execution
capability and past execution performance, (iii) access to markets, (iv)
commission rates, (v) financial standing of executing firm and counterparty risk,
(vi) timeliness in rendering services, (vii) availability, cost and quality of
custodial services, and (vii) continuity and quality of the overall provision of
services.
The Adviser may also purchase or sell debt securities through electronic trading
platforms. These electronic trading platforms typically provide access to bids
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and offers from a greater number of dealers on a timely basis; however, these
electronic platforms may impose an execution or transaction fee imbedded in
the price paid or received for the security (i.e., a markup or markdown).
Trade-PMR, Inc
The Adviser utilizes Trade-PMR, Inc. (“Trade-PMR”) for brokerage and trade
execution services. Trade-PMR clears trades and custodies assets with First
Clearing, FINRA member broker-dealers. First Clearing is a trade name used
by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC., a non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo &
Company. Trade-PMR acts as an introducing broker dealer on a fully
disclosed basis. Trade-PMR and First Clearing are members of SIPC and are
unaffiliated registered broker dealers and FINRA members. The brokerage
commissions and/or transaction fees charged by Trade-PMR or any other
designated broker-dealer are exclusive of and in addition to the Adviser’s fee.
The Adviser regularly reviews these programs to seek to ensure that its
recommendation is consistent with its fiduciary duty. Factors which the Adviser
considers in recommending Trade-PMR and First Clearing or any other
broker-dealer or custodian to clients include their respective financial strength,
reputation, execution, pricing, research, and service. The commissions and/or
transaction fees charged by these brokers may be higher or lower than those
charged by other broker-dealers.
In addition, Trade-PMR provides the Adviser with access to its institutional
trading and custody services, which are typically not available to retail investors.
These brokerage services include the execution of securities transactions,
research, and access to mutual funds and other investments that are otherwise
generally available only to institutional investors or would require a significantly
higher minimum initial investment.
Additionally, the Adviser may receive the following benefits from Trade-PMR:
receipt of duplicate client confirmations and bundled duplicate statements;
access to a trading desk that exclusively services its participants; access to
block trading which provides the ability to aggregate securities transactions and
then allocates the appropriate shares to client accounts; and access to an
electronic communication network for client order entry and account information.
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
WAS is not under common control or ownership with any broker/dealer or
custodian. The Firm recommends that clients use Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.
(“Schwab”) as one of its preferred custodians. Lower fees for comparable
services may be available from other sources. Clients pay for any and all
custodial fees in addition to the advisory fee charged by WAS.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
WAS does not receive fees or commissions from Schwab. However, the Firm
does receive support services and/or products which assist the Firm in
monitoring and servicing client accounts. These support services are provided
at no additional cost to WAS or its clients. Client commissions are not used to
purchase such services. These support services include: a dedicated trading
desk, a dedicated service group and an account services manager dedicated
to WAS’s accounts, ability to conduct "block" client trades, electronic download
of trades, balances and positions, duplicate and batched client statements, and
the ability to have advisory fees directly deducted from client accounts.
No special consideration is given to WAS by Schwab. These services are the
same as those offered to any other institutional investment manager and have
no correlation to the client assets or accounts managed at the Firm.
Research and Other Soft Dollar Benefits
WAS may receive brokerage, technology, research, and educational services
from its qualified custodians, Charles Schwab and Trade-PMR
The receipt of these benefits may influence WAS’ decision regarding
recommending that clients establish accounts at Schwab and Trade-PMR,
based on WAS’ interest in receiving Schwab and Trade-PMR services that
benefit the Adviser’s business rather than based on the client’s interest in
receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution
of client transactions. The custodians may provide some of these services. In
other cases, the custodian will arrange for third-party vendors to provide the
services to us. The custodians may also discount or waive its fees for some of
these services or pay all or a part of a third party’s fees.
The custodians may also provide us with other benefits such as occasional
business entertainment of our personnel. These services are for the benefit of
WAS in consideration of the Adviser’s allocation of brokerage transactions
made on behalf of clients (on both an agency and net basis) and may not
directly benefit client accounts. The receipt of these benefits may influence
WAS’ decision regarding recommending that clients establish accounts at
Schwab and Trade-PMR, based on WAS’ interest in receiving services that
benefit the Adviser’s business rather than based on the client’s interest in
receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution
of client transactions. This is a potential conflict of interest. WAS believes,
however, that its recommendation of Schwab and Trade-PMR as custodians
and brokers is in the best interests of its clients. WAS believes that its clients
do not pay more for investment transactions effected and assets maintained at
Schwab and Trade-PMR as a result of these arrangements. WAS’ selection is
primarily supported by the scope, quality, and price of the custodian’s services
and not the custodian services that benefit only WAS.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Order Aggregation, Allocation and Rotation Practices
In order to seek best execution for clients, the Adviser may aggregate
contemporaneous buy and sell orders for the accounts over which it has
discretionary authority. This practice of bunching trades may enable the
Adviser to obtain more favorable execution, including better pricing and
enhanced investment opportunities, than would otherwise be available if orders
were not aggregated. Bunching transactions may also assist the Adviser in
potentially avoiding an adverse effect on the price of a security that could result
from simultaneously placing a number of separate, successive or competing,
client orders.
It is within the Adviser’s sole discretion to bunch transactions and its decision
is subject to its duty to seek best execution. The Adviser will aggregate a
client’s trade orders only when the Adviser deems it to be appropriate and in
the best interests of the client and permitted by regulatory requirements.
All advisory clients participating in a bunched transaction will receive the same
execution price for the security bought or sold. Average prices may be used
when allocating purchases and sales to a client’s accounts because such
securities may be purchased and sold at different prices in a series of bunched
transactions. As a result, the average price received by a client may be higher
or lower than the price the client may have received had the transaction been
effected for the client independently from the bunched transaction. In addition,
a client’s transaction costs may vary depending upon, among other things, the
type of security bought or sold, and the commission or markup or markdown
charged by the executing broker-dealer.
The amount of securities available in the marketplace, at a particular price at a
particular time, may not satisfy the needs of all clients participating in a bunched
transaction and may be insufficient to provide full allocation across all client
accounts. To address this possibility, the Adviser has adopted trade allocation
policies and procedures that are designed to make securities allocations to
discretionary client accounts in a manner such that all such clients receive fair
and equitable treatment. If a bunched transaction cannot be executed in full at
the same price or time, the securities actually purchased or sold by the close
of each business day will generally be allocated pro rata among the clients
participating in the bunched transaction. Adjustments to this pro rata allocation
may be made, at the discretion of the Adviser, to take into consideration
account specific investment restrictions, undesirable position size, account
portfolio weightings, client tax status, client cash positions and client
preferences. Adjustments may also be made to avoid a nominal allocation to
client accounts.
When the Adviser is not able to aggregate trades, the Adviser generally uses
a trade rotation process that is designed to be fair and equitable to its clients.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Directed Brokerage
The Adviser will comply with any guidelines and/or limitations reasonably
requested by a client relating to brokerage for the client’s account that are
contained in the client’s investment management agreement. When possible,
the Adviser will also observe any non-binding statement of client preferences
with respect to brokerage direction.
If a client directs the Adviser to use a particular broker-dealer for execution of
the client’s trade orders (a “directed brokerage arrangement”), and the Adviser
agrees to the arrangement, a client should understand that the Adviser may be
unable to achieve best execution for the client’s transactions. Any costs related
to the directed brokerage arrangement are not included in the Adviser’s fee,
and the client is solely responsible for monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the
arrangement with the directed broker-dealer and paying any commissions or
markups or markdowns or other costs imposed by the directed broker-dealer.
Additionally, the Adviser generally will not aggregate the client’s directed
brokerage trade orders with orders for other clients of the Adviser or include
such orders in its trade rotation process.
If the Adviser aggregates a client’s directed brokerage trade orders with trade
orders for other clients of the Adviser, the Adviser may employ the use of “step-
outs” to satisfy the client’s directed brokerage arrangement. A “step-out”
occurs when an executing broker executes the trade and then “steps out” the
trade to a clearing broker (which would be the directed broker-dealer in a
directed brokerage arrangement) that confirms and settles the trade. In such
a case, a client will bear the costs of any commissions, markups or markdowns
imposed by the executing broker-dealer in addition to the costs of any
commissions, markups or markdowns imposed by the directed broker-dealer.
If a client directs the Adviser to use a particular broker-dealer, and if the
particular broker-dealer referred the client to the Adviser or if the particular
broker-deal refers other clients to the Adviser in the future, the Adviser may
benefit from the client’s directed brokerage arrangement. Because of these
potential benefits, the Adviser may have an economic interest in having the
client continue the directed brokerage arrangement. The benefits that the
Adviser receives may conflict with the client’s interest in having the Adviser
recommend that the client utilize another broker-dealer to execute some or all
transactions for the client’s account.
Before directing the Adviser to use a particular broker-dealer, a client should
carefully consider the possible costs or disadvantages of directed brokerage
arrangements.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Trading Error Policy
If there is a trade error for which the Adviser is responsible, trades will be
adjusted or reversed as needed in order to put the client’s account in the
position that it would have been in as if the error had not occurred. Errors
caused by the Adviser will be corrected at no cost to client’s account, with the
client’s account not recognizing any loss from error. The client’s account will
be fully compensated for any losses incurred as a result of any such error. If
the trade error results in a gain, the gain may be retained by the Adviser.
Please note that any gains resulting from a trade error will be donated to charity.
Item 13: Review of Accounts
Periodic Reviews
The Adviser’s portfolio management team generally performs daily reviews on
transactions in each client account. The portfolio management team generally
reviews reports documenting each account’s performance compared to the
performance of a relevant benchmark index at least monthly.
Review Triggers
In addition to periodic reviews, the Adviser may conduct account reviews when
a triggering event, like a change in client investment objectives, financial
situation, market correction or client request occurs.
Regular Reports and Electronic Delivery
The Adviser generally provides written investment summary reports to clients
on a monthly basis. These monthly investment summary reports contain the
client account’s holdings, yield, cash flow, gains and losses, and monthly
interest earnings. The Adviser may provide additional information in the
investment summary report to meet the specific reporting needs of a client as
the client and the Adviser may agree.
All client correspondence, as well as all books and records of the Adviser, will
be delivered and stored as electronic images and the originals of the
electronically stored documents shall be destroyed. Thereafter, all electronic
documents shall be deemed to serve as an original copy.
Item 14: Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Other Compensation
As noted in Item 12, the Adviser will receive additional benefits from Trade-
PMR which includes electronic systems that assist in the management of
Adviser client accounts, access to research, the ability to directly debit client
fees, software and other technology that provide access to client account data
(such as trade confirmations and account statements), facilitate trade
execution (and allocation of aggregated trade orders for multiple client
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accounts), pricing information and other market data, assist with back-office
functions, recordkeeping and client reporting.
Client Referrals
The Adviser does not currently provide compensation to individuals who refer
clients, but they may do so in the future. If applicable, the compensation paid
would be a percentage of the client’s fee payments or the value of the client’s
account. The amount of compensation would vary, with the specific level
determined based upon consideration of various factors. If applicable, the
Adviser would pay these fees to unaffiliated solicitors that have entered into a
written agreement with the Adviser.
Item 15: Custody
Custody
Custody means holding, directly or indirectly, client funds or securities, or
having any authority to obtain possession of them. The Adviser does not have
direct custody of any client funds and/or securities. The Adviser does not take
physical custody of client funds and/or securities under any circumstances.
Clients’ funds and securities are held by an unaffiliated qualified custodian.
Please refer to Item 12 for information regarding our Brokerage Practices. The
Adviser has implemented written policies and procedures to ensure that it will
be in compliance with the required requirements and applicable safeguards
with respect to custody. While The Adviser does not have physical custody of
client funds or securities, the custodian may pay The Adviser’ management
fees through a deduction from the custodial brokerage account that holds client
funds. Prior to permitting direct debit of fees, each client provides written
authorization permitting fees to be paid direct from the custodian. As part of the
billing process, the client’s custodian is advised of the amount of the fee to be
deducted from that client’s account. On at least a quarterly basis, the custodian
is required to send to the client a statement showing all transactions within the
account during the reporting period. The custodian does not calculate the
amount of the fee to be deducted and does not verify the accuracy of The
Adviser’ advisory calculation. Therefore, it is important for clients to carefully
review their custodial statements to verify the accuracy of the calculation,
among other things. Clients should contact The Adviser directly if they believe
that there may be an error in their statement.
Clients are provided with transaction confirmation notices and regular summary
account statements directly from the broker-dealer/custodian for the client
accounts. The client will also receive monthly statements regarding the account
directly from the broker-dealer/custodian. When you receive these statements,
please review the statements carefully. Please compare asset values,
holdings, and fees to the account statement issued for the previous period. At
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its sole discretion, The Adviser may send such other updates or periodic
reports, as it deems appropriate, to clients.
Please Note: To the extent that The Adviser may provide clients with periodic
account statements or reports, the client is urged to compare any statement or
report provided by The Adviser with the account statements received from the
account custodian.
Item 16: Investment Discretion
Discretionary Authority for Trading
Clients can determine to engage the Adviser to provide investment advisory
services on a discretionary basis. Prior to the Adviser assuming discretionary
authority over a client’s account, the client is required to execute an investment
management agreement with the Adviser, naming the Adviser as client’s
attorney and agent in fact, granting the Adviser full authority to buy, sell, or
otherwise effect investment transactions involving the assets in the client’s
name found in the discretionary account.
The Adviser generally accepts reasonable limitations to its discretionary
authority with respect to brokerage direction and securities selection, including
the designation of particular securities or types of securities that should not be
purchased for the client’s account, but the client may not require that particular
funds or securities (or types) be purchased for the client’s account. Any such
limitations agreed to by a client and the Adviser are generally included as an
addendum to the client’s investment management agreement or in a separate
letter of understanding. When possible, the Adviser will also attempt to observe
any non-binding statement of client preferences with respect to factors such as
brokerage direction, holding periods, and securities selection.
Non-Discretionary Authority for Trading
Clients may also select the Adviser’s non-discretionary service module. Clients
retain final say in investment selection and decision making. The Adviser works
closely with the client to tailor investment strategy to the client’s goals and
needs, and consults with the client prior to making trades or other changes to
the investment portfolio. The Adviser proactively provides the client with
investment ideas and a view on current market situations but no transactions
are carried out without prior client approval. The Adviser’s non-discretionary
services also include, amongst other things, (i) careful monitoring of the client’s
portfolio to ensure that it remains within investment guidelines; (ii) regular
performance updates; and (iii) access to seasoned investment professionals
prior to making final investment decisions.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Investment Consulting
The Adviser also assists clients with the selection and monitoring of retirement
plan assets, offering a well-designed and well-documented process. The
Adviser seeks to design an overall investment menu utilizing a risk-budgeting
process that addresses the different expectations of return found in varying
asset classes. The Adviser seeks strong managers that complement each
other, creating overall value to the client and plan participants.
Item 17: Voting Client Securities
Proxy Votes
Adviser has adopted the following policies and procedures regarding proxy voting
for its clients’ accounts. At all times, Adviser has a “duty of care” to its clients, and
Adviser recognizes and accepts this responsibility. Should the Adviser exercise
voting authority over its clients’ proxies, it must ensure that all proxies are handled
in the best interests of its clients.
Currently, Adviser has chosen not to retain voting authority over its clients’ proxy
voting and has left the voting authority to the clients. All proxy ballots will be sent
directly to a client and not the Adviser. Should the client have any questions on
how to vote their proxies, they may contact their Adviser at (317) 559-0688.
Any questions on these policies and procedures should be directed to Matt
Swendiman who is responsible for updating, maintaining or changing these
procedures.
Item 18: Financial Information
Financial Information
The Adviser does not require or solicit prepayment of more than $1,200 in fees
per client six months or more in advance and, thus, has not included a balance
sheet dated not more than 90 days prior to the date of this brochure. The
Adviser is not aware of any financial condition that is reasonably likely to impair
its ability to meet its contractual commitments to clients, nor has it been the
subject of a bankruptcy petition at any time during the past ten years.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC
Privacy Policy
Wealth Advisory Solutions does not disclose nonpublic personal information
about its clients or former clients to third parties other than as described below.
Wealth Advisory Solutions collects information about its clients (such as name,
address, social security number, assets and income) from the Firm’s
discussions with clients, from documents that clients may deliver to the Firm
(such as subscription documents) and in the course of providing services to
clients. In order to service clients’ accounts and effect investment transactions,
Wealth Advisory Solutions may provide clients’ personal information to the
Firm’s affiliates and to firms that assist Wealth Advisory Solutions in servicing
client accounts and have a need for such information, such as brokers,
distributors, legal counsel, fund administrators, or accountants. Wealth
Advisory Solutions does not otherwise provide information about clients to
outside firms, organizations, or individuals except as required or permitted by
law. Any party that receives this information will use it only for the services
required and as allowed by applicable law or regulation, and is not permitted to
share or use this information for any other purpose.
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Wealth Advisory Solutions, LLC