Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions (and our answers). For more information, please contact us.

Q: Does D & A have a minimum portfolio size?

A: $500,000 (however, we occasionally waive our minimum to meet distinct needs).

Q: How much does it cost to hold initial meetings with a D & A advisor?

A: There is no cost. Those who take the time to learn about our distinct approach are best positioned to determine whether D & A is a good, long-term fit. If you do not feel that way after you meet with us, we thank you for considering us.

Q: Before I become a client, can D & A evaluate my current investments? How much will this cost?

A: In addition to getting to know you and discussing your personality and objectives, your D & A investment advisor has numerous resources to help you determine whether your current holdings are meeting your investment needs. He typically asks you to share your current statements, and then compiles a balance sheet that summarizes the nature of your holdings for you. If your existing portfolio is relatively complex, you may also receive a software-based portfolio analysis to help you gain a more in-depth familiarity with your current investments. For example: Is your portfolio really as diversified as you think? What sort of returns have you achieved with your current holdings? What are realistic expectations for the future? What sort of hidden costs might you have paid? (This question can be especially telling if you are holding bonds within your fixed income assets or if you are a plan sponsor and we are assessing your retirement plan.)

There is no cost. Your understanding of your existing holdings is critical in helping you determine whether D & A can add value to your investment experiences.

Q: How does D & A charge for its services?

A: D & A is a fee-only investment advisor, with our fees based on a percentage of your assets that we manage. Your investment advisor can provide you with more details. We feel a fee-based approach best aligns our interests with yours:

A fee-only structure means the "cost clock" is never ticking during our conversations with you.
D & A accepts no commissions. Fees are on a sliding scale, so as your portfolio grows, the percentage of D & A's fee decreases. We take a family approach to investing, typically aggregating your family's assets to determine your fees, enabling more favorable rates for all. There is no fee assessed for assets NOT under our management.

Q: Does D & A hold my portfolio for me?

A: No. While you grant D & A Limited Power of Attorney (LPOA) to execute transactions on your behalf, you remain in control of your assets. Your individual account is held in your name at a quality custodian such as Charles Schwab & Co., Fidelity Brokerage Services, Inc. or TIAA/CREF. Similarly, retirement plans are typically held at custodians who specialize in such services, such as Schwab, Fidelity and Union Bank of California.

Q: Can D & A work with either cash or current holdings?

A: Yes. Whether you have available cash, you plan to sell current holdings or you plan to transfer holdings in kind (without selling them), D & A will prepare the paperwork required to make it all happen. Whether your goal is to transition from current holdings into target holdings immediately or gradually, our goal is to recommend and implement an approach with which you are comfortable, to ensure that you have the confidence needed to remain adherent to your plans over the long run.

Q: Can D & A provide access to Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) funds? How do I learn more about DFA?

A: You can learn more about Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) by clicking here. If you have already heard of DFA, you may be aware that it seeks to protect the reliability and manage the costs of its funds by requiring investors to access them via a select group of financial advisory firms. D & A is proud to provide DFA funds; we find that they are usually the best tool available for implementing a passive asset class investment approach for you.

Q: Does D & A use ONLY DFA?

A: While DFA is currently our primary tool for constructing globally diversified, passively managed portfolios, it is by no means our only tool! Here are a few examples:

If your fixed income requirements are significant, we can build custom bond portfolios to manage portfolio volatility and/or address income flow needs.

D & A maintains an alliance with TIAA-CREF, some of whose fund offerings complement our distinct investment approach.

If the commodities asset class is an appropriate holding for your portfolio, we seek a fund that offers the most accurate commodity exposure at the lowest cost.

There are times when other passive vehicles such as TIPs, ETFs and index funds might be appropriate solutions for individual needs; we can help you access these resources.

If you come to us with holdings that you do not wish to sell, your advisor can accommodate them within your overall portfolio.

Q: I've heard of Schwab and Fidelity, but what is TIAA-CREF?

A: If you are not familiar with TIAA-CREF, you have probably never worked for a major not-for-profit institution such as a medical center, college and university, government institution or charitable organization.

Founded more than 80 years ago, the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF) is one of the nation's largest pension plan providers for such organizations. The firm currently manages approximately $280 billion in pension assets for thousands of plans across the United States.

While TIAA-CREF was founded to serve the not-for-profit universe, it has more recently begun to custody tax-deferred accounts held by the general public. It offers select mutual funds that complement a passive asset class investment approach. When appropriate, D & A might recommend using TIAA-CREF for all or a portion of your tax-deferred holdings.

Q: I am not in the North Idaho area. Can D & A still be my advisor?

A: Quite likely. D & A already serves clients all across the country. We frequently travel and often are able to schedule client meetings while we are in your town.

Your advisor also has a breadth of proven experience providing high-quality services via telephone or electronic communications. And of course you are encouraged to stop by our offices for a visit any time you might travel to Post Falls.

Q: What other services does D & A provide (besides investment advisory services)? For example, do you offer financial planning, retirement planning or estate planning?

A: As a Registered Investment Advisor, D & A focuses primarily on helping you achieve your financial objectives via a structured, long-term approach to investing. Of course, there are many considerations integral to your investment plans that require coordinated management. You gain access to many additional resources, tools or relationships as part of our service to you. For example:

D & A advisors routinely assist clients with retirement (or other long-term objective) planning, incorporating Monte Carlo analysis tools when appropriate.

Your advisor periodically reviews your portfolio for tax management opportunities and helps you implement them when appropriate.

You also can access risk management advice - incorporating tools such as life insurance and long-term care insurance when appropriate - via our Bemiston Insurance Services affiliate.
Your D & A investment advisor is available for ongoing discussions about various financial and estate planning details that impact your portfolio.

If you require formal financial- or estate-planning services, D & A maintains a strong network of strategic allies and referral contacts for these services as well as for other specialized areas of expertise that lie outside of the scope of our offerings. Or, we can explore coordinating our efforts with specialized professionals with whom you already have established a trusted relationship.

Q: I have a question that does not appear here. How should I proceed?

A: Please contact us at your convenience!