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Becoming a client is easy. Here are the steps we take to opening your account with us as well as other information about what happens after you open your account(s).
Understanding Your Needs - The client questionnaire
Before we begin investing your account or preparing a financial plan, we first need to learn about your goals and objectives. To learn about your goals we gather financial, investment, and personal information using a Client Questionnaire. This questionnaire will serve as the foundation for an initial discussion with your Advisor.
The goal for this first discussion is for you to get to know your Advisor, learn how she or he will service your account, and for you to ask questions about the process. Both you and your Advisor should be on the same page.
Proposal Stage - What we will do for you
From the information we gather we will develop an investment strategy or financial plan based on your unique goals and objectives. We will review the plan with you to ensure that we cover every aspect of your financial needs. We encourage our clients to become engaged in the process and to ask as many questions as they need to so they feel comfortable with the investment strategy or financial plan. Remember your Advisor serves as your guide to making the right financial decisions. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Account Set Up - We handle all the paperwork for you
Your investment accounts will be opened at Schwab and Cathy Pareto and Associates will be designated as your Advisor. Cathy Pareto and Associates does not take custody of client assets. We simply advise on your accounts, place trades and request changes on your behalf.
We will prepare all paperwork necessary to open and transfer your accounts. All you will have to do is sign the forms and review the documents to ensure their accuracy. Once the account(s) is open at Schwab you will begin to receive account statements and trade confirmations directly from Schwab.
Account Transfers - How this works
If you have accounts at other custodians or banks, we will transfer these accounts to Schwab so they can become part of your comprehensive investment plan. Depending on the assets you own inside of your account(s) we will either move the existing positions or liquidate them so these can move inside your new account(s). Other accounts such as your 401K plan at your current employer may remain at current custodian but will become part of the overall investment strategy.
All account transfers will be done taking into consideration tax consequences and trading costs. You will be informed of all fees and costs prior to transferring any account.
Trading - According to a mutually agreed upon strategy
Once we are assigned to your account(s) as your Advisor we will begin implementing your new investment strategy. All the information we gathered from our initial meeting will be translated into an actual investment plan, also known as an Investment Policy Statement, that will include the types of investments you'll own and in what types of accounts.
Monthly Market Updates - Keeping you informed
On a monthly basis you will receive Market Updates to keep you informed of economic and market conditions as well as opportunities. In these Market Updates you will also receive useful tips and information to help you make better financial decisions.
Account Reporting - Portfolio Performance
Every Quarter you will receive hard copy statements from Cathy Pareto & Associates containing the following information:
Account Performance: This report will include Monthly, Quarterly, Year to Date and Since Inception performance information as well as Index Measurements.
Account Statement: This report will include all of your accounts' positions and cost basis information.
Feel free to contact your Advisor to go over the details of your account once you receive your statements.
Account Reviews - An ongoing process
It's important to review your account to ensure that your objectives, financial situation and other factors have not changed. While you may contact your Advisor on a regular basis to ask questions or review your account, we recommend a full review of your account at least once a year. This involves reviewing all the original information you submitted at the initial engagement meeting to make sure nothing has changed.
Become a Client
The first step to becoming a client is to meet with one of our Advisors. Submit your request for information. We look forward to speaking with you and learning about your objectives. There is no obligation. It's just a way to find out how we may be able to assist you.