A Story From Our Founder
In my first financial planning role, I learned that seeking “advice” in the financial services industry could be treacherous. My planning career started in a family office served by various commission-based vendors. I soon realized that much of my job involved trying to determine which recommendations being made to us were for the benefit of the investment firm or for us the client. I knew there had to be a better way where financial advice could be accepted by the client as true professional advice and not a sales pitch.
That’s when I discovered always fiduciary, fee-only financial planning. Later when I started Pathway, it was formed from day one as a professional organization offering professional advice without conflicts related to investment product commissions or kickbacks. While this meant accepting a more challenging and slower start for the business, it has allowed us to always keep the client’s best interests at the forefront of everything we do. Eliminating as many conflicts of interest as possible gives clients the relationship they expect and deserve from their financial professional. Acting strictly and always as our client’s fiduciary remains at the core of who we are.
— Scott Beaudin
2024 Annual Update
FAQs
How does Pathway make money?
We are Fee-Only and commission-free. In other words, we are only compensated directly from the clients we work with and not from commissions, kickbacks, and sales quota bonuses.
You may have heard of “Fee-Based”. While “Fee-Based” sounds similar to Fee-Only, it means the advisor can be compensated by the fees directly from their clients and by commissions from the investments or financial products they sell.
Our fee is based on a percentage (%) of investments managed or a flat fee
Are you a Fiduciary?
Yes, we are full-time fiduciaries. In other words, we always act in the best interest of our clients.
Do you have a minimum asset requirement to work with your firm?
We do not have a stated minimum asset requirement. We are best equipped to work with individuals and families with investments of over $1,000,000 (not including real estate); or are high earners or business owners who earn over $250,000 per year.
How are you different than other financial advisors?
1. We are Fee-Only. We believe compensation structures matter when it comes to financial guidance. To avoid the conflicts of interest that can occur when selling products, we choose to not sell any products at all. Instead, our compensation is transparent and only comes directly from the clients we help.
2. We limit the number of clients we work with. This allows us to provide highly personalized services to the individuals and families who place trust in our firm to be a guide and stewards of their financial plan.
3. Our focus goes beyond money. We believe the components of a fulfilling life go beyond dollars and cents. We utilize a refined planning framework to help individuals and families clarify what is most important to them, organize their priorities, and define their unique vision of a fulfilling and enjoyable life.
Do you offer one-time financial plans?
Although the majority of our client relationships are long-term, we offer one-time financial plans on occasion as our capacity allows. Our fee depends on the scope and complexity of your situation. Our fee for a one-time plan generally starts at $4,000 per engagement.
How do I know if Pathway is NOT the right firm for me?
We believe it is prudent for an investment portfolio to be constructed to align with a client’s financial plan. Our approach to managing success focuses on time-tested factors, including global diversification, tax impact, and minimizing fees.
We are not the right fit if you’re looking for an advisor to:
- Speculate and decide when the best time is to hop in and out of the market
- Make short-term investment decisions based on the “headline of the day”
Who holds my investments?
For the convenience and safety of our clients, the accounts we manage are held by a third-party custodian. Clients can have their accounts held with Schwab or Fidelity, the two largest and most common custodians.