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Investment Management and Financial Planning
Cathy Pareto & Associates Inc.

2332 Galiano Street, 2nd Floor
Coral Gables, FL  33134

Ph:    (305) 728-7234
Fax:   (305) 675-7652


Hours

M-F  9:00 am - 5:00pm
Saturdays: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

info@cathypareto.com
Working With An
Independent Advisor

Investing in More Objective
Advice.pdf A Guide to Working With
an Independent Registered
Investment Advisor. Published by

Charles Schwab & Co.
Become a Client
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.