Investment Management & Financial Planning
Whether you are just beginning your investment journey or have already built substantial assets and wealth, everyone deserves fiduciary advice for investment and financial planning to ensure they have the best possible plan in place.
What Sets Us Apart From The Rest
As an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firm, we work directly for you - no managers, sales quotas, or limitations on services or offerings that we can provide - and because we don't have large offices or TV commercials, we can typically offer more services at lower fees than many of our competitors.
Low-Cost Investing &
Transparent Fees
Fees eat away at your investments over time. We strive to keep fees as low as possible, and provide you more services and value for the fees you do pay.
Work With a Fiduciary Advisor
Gain peace of mind knowing your advisor will always have your best interest in mind when offering advice - no conflicts of interest and no sales gimmicks
Ongoing Financial Planning
Investments are typically just one piece of the puzzle - it is important to plan for and manage all of the puzzle pieces of life that will fit together and affect each other.
S&P 500
NASDAQ
Dow Jones
Investment Management
Maximize your financial potential with personalized investment strategies and expert portfolio management. Our tailored approach ensures your investments align with your goals, helping you navigate market complexities and achieve long-term success.
Low-Cost Investing & Transparent Fees
Active & Passive Investment Strategies
Tax Efficient Withdrawal Strategies and Loss-Harvesting
Ongoing Financial Planning
Financial planning assists you in navigating life’s changes and keeping your financial goals aligned. Regular check-ins and strategy updates ensure your plan evolves with you, helping you stay on course for long-term success.
One-on-One Ongoing Support & Advice
Retirement Income & Tax Planning Analysis
Lifestyle Goals & Needs - Home Purchases, College Savings, etc.
Trusted Third-Party Custodians
All client investment accounts are opened and held directly at one of our third-party custodians and brokerages. We can open and manage over 30+ account types - from retirement to trust and business accounts - to meet all of your goals and needs.​
Industry-Leading Technology, Trading, & Security
Globally Recognized Custodians & Brokerages
Access to millions of investment options and strategies
Frequently Asked Questions
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What licenses, certifications, and/or designations do your advisors hold?All of our advisors work in a fiduciary capacity and always have your best interest in mind. Our advisors hold all the required licenses to advise and service you, and many of our advisors hold various professional designations, such as: Certified Financial Fiduciary ® Enrolled Agent (EA) Certified Financial Planner (CFP ®) Certified Public Accountant (CPA ®) Certified Tax Specialist ™ Certified Annuity Specialist ®
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Do I have to use Meritum for all of my needs, or can I use my own CPA or other advisor(s)?No you do not! We have many clients who prefer to use their existing CPA or other advisor(s) and only utilize our advice and services for specific segments of their overall needs. Ultimately we want to do what is best and most comfortable for you, so if you prefer to use your existing CPA or other advisor(s) we are more than happy to coordinate services and advice with them - otherwise, we would more than happy to assist you with all of your investment, planning, tax, and insurance needs!
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Do I have to live in Cincinnati to work with Meritum?No you do not have to live in Cincinnati - we assist clients all over the United States! Our advisors have the flexibility to meet with you over the Zoom, phone, email, or if you are local to Cincinnati, in person at your home, office, or at your favorite coffee shop!
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How are you compensated for advice or services provided?Due to the fact that we offer such a wide range of services and advice, and work with clients in a variety of capacities, we are compensated in a few different ways. Fee-Based: For clients who have investable assets that we manage through our third-party custodians, we charge an annual Asset Under Management (AUM) fee as a percentage of the assets that we manage on their behalf (this fee typically ranges from 0.65% - 0.95% of AUM). Through this fee, we offer all of our investment management and financial planning services, and can be used to discount or cover additional services such as tax prep, filing, and planning depending on overall assets under management. Hourly or Fix Planning Fee: For clients who do not have investable assets that they want us to manage on their behalf, or if they want more one-off planning on a specific matter (e.g tax prep and filing or one-time financial planning), we offer a negotiable hourly or fixed service fee, depending on the level of commitment, service, and advice will be required. Commission-Based: On any insurance-based services that we provide (e.g. health insurance, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and annuities) we receive a commission or referral fee directly from the insurance company. You, as the client, are typically not required to pay us anything directly for these services. Every client's needs are different so we recommend that you reach out to us to discuss your specific needs and goals and we can more accurately determine how we can potentially work together and answer any questions that you may have!
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What types of investment accounts can you open and manage?Through one of our third-party custodian/brokerages (Altruist and Interactive Brokers), we can open and manage the following types of accounts: Cash Money Market Retirement IRA Roth IRA Rollover IRA SEP IRA Beneficiary IRA Beneficiary Roth IRA SIMPLE IRA Solo 401(k) Roth Solo 401(k) Safe Harbor 401(k) Traditional 401(k) Starter 401(k) Retirement Trust Non-Retirement Individual Trust Joint (JTWROS) Joint (JTIC) Joint (JTBE) Joint (JCP) Minor UTMA UGMA Minor IRA Minor Roth IRA Business Solo Proprietorship Single-Member LLC C Corporation LLC C Corporation LLC S Corporation LLC Partnership S Corporation Partnership Non-Profit Organization If you have any questions regarding the types of investment accounts we can open and manage, or if you would like more information on which type of account may be right for you, please contact us.
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Can you assist with estate planning services?While our advisors are not licensed attorneys and are not authorized to give legal advice, we have the experience and knowledge to answer general questions about estate planning as it pertains to investment, financial planning, tax, and/or insurance-related topics. For all of your specific estate planning needs such as, Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, and/or other documents or services, we can connect you with one of our trusted attorneys who can provide the legal guidance and assistance you require.
Have Questions or Need Advice?
By offering most tax, investment, planning, and insurance services in-house, we are dedicated to helping you reduce fees and save time when it comes to helping you achieve your financial goals and needs. You will gain peace of mind knowing all of your affairs will be coordinated, aligned, and managed with one simple phone call.