Frequently Asked Questions

The Fischer On Finance mission is to "Empower Clients." What does that mean?

"Empowering clients" means giving clients the tools to act on what is important to them. It means creating a financial plan that enables clients to use their own unique abilities and resources, not just money, but also time and talent, to most effectively reach their personal and financial goals. It puts more control in their hands, so that they can enhance the quality of their lives as well as the lives of their families and communities.

Registered Investment Advisors say they have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients. What does that mean?

In the financial industry, this means that when we work with you we have an obligation to carry out our responsibilities with the utmost degree of “good faith, honesty, integrity, loyalty” in your best interest. In the legal system this has been interpreted to impose a duty to not favor anyone else’s interests, including our own, over our clients’ interests.

I’ve been investing on my own for a long time – why should I meet with you?

You should come to see us if you are asking yourself questions like:

• Will I run out of money?
• When can I retire?
• What are my options?
• Should I be getting more conservative?
• What are my choices?

As you get closer to fulfilling your long term goals there are some variables, such as time and market fluctuations, that may begin to carry more weight in your assessment process. The way you make decisions could be changing.

What if I only want a second opinion?

We will be happy to accommodate you. We believe that objective information and strategic planning are two of the tools necessary for your success. Because we charge a fee for this service, there is no conflict of interest. We provide you with the analysis you require to make an informed decision, and will not contact you again unless you request otherwise.

Why do you ask personal questions about my interests and relationships?

We believe that money is a means to an end. In order to make recommendations that we believe are in your best interest we need to find out from you what those interests are. If we don’t know what your goals and dreams are we can’t work with you to achieve them.

How does planning work at Fischer On Finance?

Financial planning is a process that determines how you can best meet your life goals through the proper management of your financial affairs. One of the keys to effective financial planning is our ability to take into account the relevant aspects of your financial and personal situation, and to identify and analyze the interrelationships among sometimes conflicting objectives. It is this unique integration of insights, knowledge and skills that makes Fischer On Finance financial planning special.

Why do you need to know about all of my investments?

Because you will use all of your investments to fund your goals, they all need to be included in our analysis.

What if it’s too late to start retirement planning?

It is never too late to start planning. “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” – Theodore Roosevelt. If you know where you’re at and have a plan for where you’re going you will feel, and be, more in control.

How often do we need to meet with you?

At Fischer On Finance we work at your pace. The more urgent your sense of time, the more frequently we will meet during the fact finding and development process. Once your portfolio matches your Investment Policy Statement, maintenance meetings will be scheduled based on your situation, usually ranging from one to four times per year. These ongoing meetings are important for making sure your plan reflects changes in your life. They are also opportunities to rebalance your portfolio, evaluate individual investments in your portfolio, or act on your accountant’s recommendations.

What is an Investment Policy Statement?

An Investment Policy Statement (IPS) is a blueprint outlining the general rules you would like followed in making recommendations and managing your investments. It is a way of committing to, and being disciplined about, the way you invest. Your IPS should include goals and objectives, any strategies to employ in meeting those objectives, asset allocation parameters, risk tolerance, and liquidity requirements. An IPS also sets the standard by which your investments are measured. Your portfolio should be routinely compared to your IPS to make sure it stays within your parameters.