Wealth Management FAQs
Get the answers you need.
Frequently asked questions related to working with our wealth management advisory team at Burney Wealth Management.
What makes you different from other wealth management firms?
Put simply, our process. Even before becoming a client, we present you with a custom financial plan to reflect your unique situation. It’s not just about impersonal, run-of-the-mill metrics like your age group, hitting a specific savings target, or conventional stock/bond mixes.
Then you get a team of credentialed financial professionals with a five-decade track record of building forward-looking portfolios.
We have access to advanced planning, modeling, and investment tools to ensure you stay ahead of any risks and opportunities.
We do the research to project towards the future, not simply follow outdated rules of thumb.
What is a Fiduciary and are you one?
The main responsibility of a fiduciary is to place client interests above their own. In 1974, we became one of the first Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firms in Virginia. As a fee-only RIA, we are held to the fiduciary standard outlined by the SEC. It is important to know that not every “financial advisor” is held to this standard.
Check out our fiduciary blog post to learn what the role means to us.
Are you mindful of taxes in your financial plans?
We place an emphasis on adjusting where you save or withdraw money each year, fine-tuning how your portfolio is invested, implementing strategic charitable giving strategies, and converting pre-tax funds to Roth when optimal, so that we have a plan to better manage your tax situation.
How are you different from other financial advisors?
We challenge conventions with scientific methodologies and forward-thinking expertise. Almost 50 years ago, our founder prioritized clarity, integrity and accountability and made them integral to the fabric of our organization. Because of this, every client receives the best we have to offer.
We do not believe in delivering canned, off-the-shelf solutions and are not incentivized to sell financial strategies for a commission. Instead, each portfolio is customized to match the personal financial plan and risk profile of the specific client and their family.
How are your fees calculated? Am I locked into a contract?
As a fee-only RIA, we charge a management fee based upon assets under management. This structure ensures our incentives are aligned with yours. For some planning work, we offer our services at a fixed or hourly rate. Clients may terminate services at any time by written notification.
Do your employees earn any commissions on my portfolio?
We believe a financial advisor should feel like a partner, someone who is guiding you toward what is best for your unique personal situations. For this reason, our employees do not earn commissions by placing clients in certain investments. Our fee-only structure ensures that we are not biased in our recommendations.
What advanced designations do your employees have?
Professional development is highly encouraged and supported throughout the company. Our team is comprised of multiple Chartered Financial Analysts® (CFA®) and Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) professionals.
How much do I have to have in assets to work with Burney Wealth Management?
On average, our clients have a minimum asset level of $1,000,000. If you might be a good fit, feel free to get in touch for a complimentary financial analysis.
If you aren’t quite at that level yet, we are happy to give you a referral.
Where did the name Burney come from?
Our firm is named after the company’s founder, Brigadier General Jack Burney, whose lifelong passion was security analysis and portfolio management. An engineer by training, Jack pioneered quantitative investing in the 1950’s and founded the Burney Wealth Management firm in 1974. Over time, our analytical process has evolved with the market and changes in technology, but the fundamental principles remain true to those first developed by Jack a half century ago.
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