Frequently Asked Questions
We’re Happy to Help!
Common Questions
Now that you can see the advantages of working with Synergy SMB, what’s holding you back? The following are the most frequently asked questions:
My current financial advisor seems to be doing just fine
That’s great, although a financial plan that does not consider the value of your business and its risk, risks missing material components of your financial picture. Fortunately, we offer the 40+ page valuation report including your risk score for free—and it only takes about 40 minutes.
Why are you doing the valuation & risk score for free?
This is our way of introducing our services—there is no obligation. If we can help you in other ways, great—if not, keep us in mind. Regardless, the valuable 40+ page report is yours to keep. You may also be surprised what other businesses in your industry are selling for.
Why hasn’t anyone else talked to me about this before?
Many financial planners have never been trained to look at businesses as an asset class, which includes valuing the business and determining the risk score—so they only consider business income—which makes their financial plan incomplete. Synergy concentrates on small business owners–so we can provide a ballpark business valuation–and it’s included FREE!
Do you utilize individual securities in investment portfolios?
Yes! We will take you through a fiduciary process helping you balance your willingness and ability to take risks. We will recommend how to position your portfolio and will deliver an investment policy statement (IPS) if appropriate. These recommendations may include, but are not limited to:
- Individual stocks for Growth, Value, Blend, and Income.
- Individual bonds strategies
- ETF’s and or mutual funds
- Alternative investments like private funds and real estate
Do you offer specialized investment themes?
Yes! We offer 6 different stock portfolio types depending on investor need:
- Focused Dividend Strategy – those who are seeking current income and growth
- Focused Growth Strategy – those seeking to be opportunistic and defensively adaptive in their individual stock investing. Focused growth is great as a mainstay to your overall portfolio
- Focused Blend Strategy – suitable for those who are ready to invest long term
- Focused Value Strategy – those seeking tactical exposure through all phases of macroeconomic cycles
- Faith-Based Strategy – those seeking to support morally and spiritually appropriate corporate development in premier companies
- Environmental, Social and Governance Strategy – our ESG strategy is ideal for investors seeking to invest with their conscience
What is a CFA and why should one be utilized?
A CFA, or Chartered Financial Analyst, is a professional credential bestowed by the CFA Institute on financial and investment professionals who have completed its program of study, passed all three levels of its examinations over multiple years, and have met other professional and experience requirements. Fewer than 1 in 5 candidates becomes a CFA charter holder. It takes an average of over 1,000 hours of rigorous study, along with four years of professional experience, to earn the distinction of being called a Chartered Financial Analyst and all CFA charter holders are required to annually attest to the CFA Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct.
Disclosure:
Not all services will be appropriate or necessary for all clients, and the potential value and benefit of the adviser’s services will vary based upon the client’s individual investment, financial, and tax circumstances, as well as the value, marketability, and economic health of the client’s business. Personalized or specialized services, levels of experience, and professional credentials or designations, should not be construed as a guarantee of client satisfaction or any particular outcome. Please see our Disclosures page for further discussion of the professional credentials and designations discussed on this page. Employment of specific investment mandates, such as ESG investing, may materially limit the scope of investment options available for allocation. ESG-focused investment vehicles may also be materially more expensive than non-ESG options, which can negatively impact performance. The firm will only employ an ESG-focused investment strategy at the specific request of the client, based on client-defined ESG parameters. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing comes with risk, including risk of loss.