Certified Financial Planner
Registered Investment Advisor
Jim is a graduate of Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He is a Certified Financial
Planner (CFP), and a Registered Investment Advisor with the state of Florida. Mr. Colley
offers the following services:
Comprehensive Financial Plans
Retirement Planning
College Funding Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning
Investment Advisory/Portfolio Management
Portfolio Analysis/Evaluation
Wealth Management
In early 2002, Mr. Colley resigned his position as a securities broker. This decision was a
result of his desire to become the only "completely independent" financial advisor in his area.
Now, he is a fee-only advisor, which means he does not sell any commissioned financial
products. He does not make any commissions on any recommended purchase or sale. His
clients enjoy knowing that any buy or sell recommendation he may offer is presented solely in
their best interest.
Because he is not a stock broker and does not sell insurance, he can focus exclusively on
providing the highest level of objectivity to his growing client base. For example, clients report
it is exceedingly rare to have their broker advise them to pay off a credit card, or to purchase a
bank CD or an I-Bond in lieu of using these funds to purchase more shares in their various
brokerage accounts. Brokers rarely make these recommendations because they do not have
any financial incentive to do so, even though they may represent the best financial action to be
taken at a given time. Clients also have expressed concern over an "advisor's"
recommendation to purchase life insurance when the advisor is the one selling, and making
commission from, the sale. These perceived conflicts of interest are high among the reasons
Mr. Colley's clients come to him. Here, he and his clients negotiate a fee up-front. From that
point, the only financial incentive for Jim is to grow his client's assets, at the pace and in the
manner that is most appropriate for that client. They all agree this is the correct way to
structure an advisory relationship.
Jim's unique business model allows clients to keep their assets wherever they choose. If they
are content with their current broker or custodian, they need not transfer assets away. On the
other hand, if they are interested in finding a new broker or custodian for their accounts, Jim
generally is able to help them find a suitable one. In many cases he will recommend an online,
discount broker to keep transactional costs at a minimum and to maximize client convenience in
reporting and monitoring.
Mr. Colley's investment strategies and philosophies are derived from his training and
experience as a financial planner. He believes in keeping investor costs at a minimum, and that
a long-term, disciplined approach to accumulation of wealth should be adopted for most
savers. He does not contact clients with "hot tips" that need their immediate attention. He
prepares an Investment Policy Statement (IPS) for each advisory client, repositions their
assets according to their goals and risk aversion, and then attempts to make only very limited
ongoing adjustments as financial and economic cycles come and go. For those clients that are
more aggressive in their investment approach, are adequately experienced, and have the
financial agility, Mr. Colley will offer "momentum" purchase and sale recommendations from
time to time. In these cases, he counsels a strong foundation of conservative investments be in
place aside from the more "aggressive" accounts targeting higher returns.
Investment advisory services are offered to provide ongoing portfolio management. As your
investment advisor, Jim will provide the following:
- Analysis/Evaluation of existing investment portfolio
- Investment Policy Statement - this document details your investment plan - its goals,
your investor profile, strategies and methods. - Ongoing accounts monitoring and evaluation
- Quarterly Reports - clear, concise compilation of your entire portfolio including analysis,
performance results, and suggested actions - Recommendations as necessary to maximize performance and achievement of plan
objectives - Semi-annual review meetings
As mentioned above, your accounts may reside with any brokerage or custodian of your
choosing. Jim does not take possession of accounts. The relationship is strictly and purely
advisory. The goal is to provide objective, professional expertise to the client; a cohesive
investment plan that is specifically designed to achieve your financial goals and a disciplined
professional dedicated to the success of your plan - guiding you along the way.
Financial plans are prepared for a one-time fee. These extensive documents include a review
and analysis of all relevant data in the client's financial life. It restates the client's objectives,
philosophies, goals, risk aversion, and relevant personal and family statistics. The document
then offers a detailed "road map" showing how the client may reach the identified goals of the
plan. In many cases, clients elect to have Mr. Colley monitor their accounts and the progress
of the strategies outlined in the plan. In these cases, a percentage of assets is charged as an
ongoing fee. The same fee structure is utilized in an investment advisory or portfolio
management agreement.
For more information, visit www.CFP.net
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