Points of Differentiation
To perform due diligence while selecting a
financial advisor, use this checklist as a reference:
| Points of Differentiation | Zhang Financial | Other Advisor |
|---|---|---|
| Registered with NAPFA at www.napfa.org as a fiduciary Fee-Only CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ | Yes | Yes / No |
| Upholds a Fiduciary Standard, does not offer proprietary funds or receive any compensation from product companies? | Yes | Yes / No |
| Client's assets are held by a third-party custodian such as LPL, the largest independent broker-dealer in the industry, or Charles Schwab. | Yes | Yes / No |
| Able to coordinate financial planning, estate planning, investment management and risk management? | Yes | Yes / No |
| Comfortable working with client's current estate planning attorney and CPA? | Yes | Yes / No |
Advisory team holds the most prestigious designations and credentials in the industry including:
| Yes | Yes / No |
| Firm includes a nationally ranked female advisor recognized by Barron's 1 as one of the country's Top 100 Women Financial Advisors? | Yes | Yes / No |
Advised by a nationally recognized financial advisor who has been ranked in publications such as:
| Yes | Yes / No |
1As reported in Barron’s June 7, 2014. Based on assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record and quality of practice and philanthropic work.
2As reported in Barron’s September 15, 2023. The ranking reflects the volume of assets overseen by the advisors and their teams, revenues generated for the firms, quality of the advisors’ practices and other factors.
3As reported in Barron’s March 1, 2023. Based on assets under management, revenue produced for the firm, regulatory record, quality of practice and philanthropic work.
4As reported in Forbes April 4, 2023. The ranking, developed by our partner Shook Research, is based on in-person and telephone due-diligence meetings and a ranking algorithm for advisors who have a minimum of seven years of experience. We consider client retention, industry experience, compliance records and firm nominations as well as quantitative criteria such as assets under management and revenue generated for their firms.
See Full Ranking Disclosure
The ADV Part 2A, Firm Brochure
We also recommend that you review a firm's ADV Part 2A, Firm Brochure, which can be found on the SEC's website. The ADV Part 2A, Firm Brochure will help you understand an investment firm's revenue structure. Some financial advisory firm’s main revenue source is actually not from advisory services, but from the sale of proprietary products, commissions, kick-backs from product companies, 12B-1 fees and/or soft dollar arrangements. The revenue structure may impose a conflict of interest when the firm manages your portfolio. Use the following link to review Zhang Financial's ADV Part 2A, Firm Brochure.
Put America's Top NAPFA-Registered Fee-Only Financial Advisors to work for you.
Request a Consultation:
Portage MI Office
5931 Oakland Drive
Portage, MI 49024
269.385.5888
Get In Touch
Battle Creek Office
70 West Michigan Ave,
Suite 100
Battle Creek, MI 49017
269.965.0777
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Grand Rapids Office
460 Ada Drive,
Suite 200
Ada, MI 49301
616.235.5777
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Troy Office
101 West Big Beaver Road, 14th Floor
Troy, MI 48084
248.687.1258
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Naples Office
999 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, Suite 200
Naples, FL 34108
239.325.1826
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Zhang Financial
5931 Oakland Drive Portage, MI 49024
List of office locations
Email: clientservice@zhangfinancial.com | Toll-Free: 888-777-0126
Minimum investment requirement: $1,000,000 in Michigan, $2,000,000 outside of Michigan.
Investment Advice offered through Zhang Financial, a Fee-Only Wealth Management Group.
