Frequently Asked Questions
Who is LJCooper Wealth Advisors?
LJCooper Wealth Advisors, LLC is a leading independent wealth management firm. We specialize in helping clients convert appreciated assets such as land, a small business, or retirement plans (401k, IRA, etc.) into a safer, more-diversified investment portfolio in a way that reduces taxes, avoids costly mistakes, and preserves their wealth. We have received recognition from national publications, including:
- Top-ranked firm by Wealth Manager Magazine
- Ranked #391/11,500 national independent registered investment advisors
- Ranked #10 in the U.S. by Financial Advisor Magazine's 2008 Small Firm Report
- Top-ranked IRA 2008, 2009, 2010
- Outstanding Public Partnership, award on behalf of Senator ARthur V. Watkins and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce
Our firm is growing quickly due primarily to referrals from satisfied clients and professionals. More than 80% of new clients select LJCooper Wealth Advisors because of a personal introduction, with 44% referred by an existing client and 39% referred by a professional such as an attorney or CPA. In 2007 our assets under management increased 33% over the previous year. Our recently conducted client survey provides some insight into the depth of our client relationships. Highlights of this survey include:
- 100% say we deliver a high level of service
- 100% say we discuss investments knowledgeably
- 100% say we interact courteously
- 99% are satisfied with their overall relationship with us
- 96% would recommend us to their friends and family
Click here for complete survey results
How is LJCooper Wealth Advisors different from other financial advisors?
We have a guiding philosophy that the client comes first. As we’ve paused to consider how we would want to be treated if we were the client it has impacted every area of our business, from how we’re organized to how we’re compensated.
Three key areas set us apart from other financial services firms:
Independence: LJCooper Wealth Advisors is an independent advisory firm. We aren’t employees of a major Wall Street firm, have no quotas to fill, and can select the best investment options wherever they are found. In summary, we represent our clients – not a brokerage firm or an insurance agency.
Fee-Based: In a fee-based account, the advisor is directly compensated by the client, eliminating many conflicts of interest inherent in a commission pay structure. With a fee-based structure we have a vested interest in your success – our compensation improves as your account grows and decreases when your account contracts. We also have an incentive to provide great service over the long term rather than being preoccupied with making a sale in order to receive a one-time commission.
Accountability: As a Registered Investment Advisor, LJCooper Wealth Advisors has embraced a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of clients. This is a much stricter standard of care than that required of a typical broker at a major Wall Street firm. Please request a copy of our “Code of Ethics” for more information.
What process do you use to work with clients?
We employ a systematic Wealth Management process, conducted over a series of meetings, to develop a plan designed to maximize the probability of achieving your financial goals. Click here for a complete description of how we work.
What are LJCooper's qualifications and business pratices?
See this brochure for a list of our qualifications and business practices.
What is Wealth Management and do I qualify?
Wealth Management is a holistic approach to serving clients' needs, integrating all of the major disciplines that impact a client’s wealth, including:
• Retirement / Income distribution planning
• Estate analysis and planning
• Tax Planning
• Investment Management
• Real estate repositioning and disposition planning
• Risk management / Asset protection
• Philanthropic planning
The Wealth Management process helps clients streamline their financial affairs. This approach is generally reserved for those clients with over $1 million of investable assets.
I’d like to be a Wealth Management client but my assets aren’t there yet. Can you help me?
Some of our professionals offer a Financial Coach service for clients who are accumulating funds and planning for financial independence. Through annual meetings we provide ongoing guidance in making smart financial decisions with the goal of ultimately qualifying for Wealth Management services. Asset minimums for this service vary by age and career stage. We carefully screen these clients to ensure they have the potential to become Wealth Management clients in the future.
What can I expect during my initial meeting?
We spend the first meeting really getting to know you – discussing your values, goals, relationships, interests and preferences. Many of our clients remark that this is the first time they’ve ever discussed so much non-financial information with a financial advisor. By taking this non-financial approach, we have uncovered significant family, personal, and health issues that do not appear at first to be financially related but ultimately have a major impact on long-term financial needs.
How do you charge for your services?
We employ a tiered fee schedule that reduces fees on larger accounts. The fee is based on the total of all managed accounts you have with our firm. This structure is simple and easy to understand, which avoids surprises. Based on our research and client comments, our fees tend to be significantly lower than major brokerage firms. Additionally, since this fee structure eliminates the incentive to recommend one fund over another, we select mutual funds for client portfolios whose fees are less than half what the average funds charge, saving you even more.
Is my money held at a secure financial institution?
We use the custodial services of Schwab Institutional to hold and safeguard our client’s stocks, mutual funds, and other assets. Schwab is a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and your assets held at Schwab are insured by this entity. (Account protection does not cover fluctuations in the market value of your securities.) Please request a copy of “Safeguards Designed to Protect Your Assets” if you’d like more information.
What is your investment philosophy?
Our investment philosophy is founded on these five key concepts:
• Utilize Diversification Effectively to Reduce Risk
• Dissimilar Price Movement Diversification Enhances Returns
• Employ Asset Class Investing
• Global Diversification Reduces Risk
• Design Portfolios That Are Efficient
For more information, please contact
us by filling out the linked form.