/ FAQs /

Fiduciary & Regulatory

  1. Are you a fiduciary?
    Yes. As a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA), we are legally bound to act as a fiduciary, which means we must always put your best financial interests ahead of our own or the firm's. We provide advice that is solely in your benefit.
  2. What IS a fiduciary?
    An even better question is, Is there a difference between a RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) and a Financial Advisor! The short answer is that a Fiduciary acts only on your behalf, for your betterment, not the advisor or its firm. It has to do with the standards that they have to meet when giving advice. "Financial Advisors" are held to a much lower suitability standard than a Fiduciary, legally. A Fiduciary is LEGALLY OBLIGATED to advise in your best interests, Financial advisors are not, they basically just have to prove that the recommendation was remotely suitable.
  3. How can I verify your firm's registration and credentials?
    Our firm is registered with the State of South Carolina. You can review our firm's official disclosures and firm information, including our Form ADV Part 2A (Brochure), directly on the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) website; using the 'Firm' tab (not Individual tab) and searching for our Firm's name (FountainheadRIA LLC). Our CRD number is 339498. In addition, you may view Brett Anderson's FINRA page (Individual CRD is 5497060).
  4. What are your professional qualifications and designations?
    Brett Anderson holds the following designations: CFP® Certified Financial Planner,  CIMA® Certified Investment Management Analyst, CAIA® Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst. These designations require rigorous education, examinations, experience, and adherence to strict ethical standards and continuing education requirements.

Compensation & Fees

  1. How are you compensated for your services?
    We operate on a fee-only basis. This means we are compensated directly by our clients, typically through an annual percentage fee based on assets under management (AUM), a fixed retainer, or an hourly rate. We do not receive commissions from selling specific investment products, insurance, or other third-party products. This structure helps ensure our advice is unbiased.
  2. What is your fee structure for investment management?
    Our investment management fee is typically a percentage of the assets we manage for you, calculated and billed [quarterly/monthly]. For example, the fee might range from 0.60% to 1.25% annually, declining at higher asset levels. A complete breakdown of our fees is detailed in our Form ADV Part 2A. Alternatively, you may view our fees on our Financial Services page.
  3. Are there any other costs or hidden fees I should know about?
    The only fees we receive are those detailed in our client agreement. You may have separate, unavoidable costs charged by third parties, such as brokerage fees, mutual fund expense ratios, or ETF expense ratios, but these are not paid to our firm. We strive to use low-cost investments to minimize these expenses.
  4. Do you have a minimum account size?
    At this time, we have not set a minimum size for individuals and families in investable assets.

Services & Process

  1. What services do you provide?
    We are a comprehensive financial planning firm. Our services typically include: holistic financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning coordination, cash flow optimization, insurance analysis, and a lot of coaching and financial education along the way.
  2. What is your investment philosophy?
    Our philosophy is rooted in academic principles, and winning strategies. We primarily focus on broad diversification, low-cost index funds/ETFs, Strategic Asset Allocation, and a Long-Term Perspective. We believe in controlling what we can (costs, taxes, risk), rather than trying to beat the market. See my About page for more details.
  3. Where will my money be held (who is the custodian)?
    Your assets will be held by an independent, third-party custodian (e.g., [Fidelity, Schwab, TD Ameritrade, etc.]). The custodian holds your investments and sends you monthly statements. We only have limited power to trade within your account; we cannot withdraw money from your accounts. We use Charles Schwab predominantly.
  4. What is the typical client relationship like?
    Our relationships are ongoing and built for the long term. We typically meet (or talk) with clients [annually/semi-annually/quarterly] to review progress, update your financial plan, and rebalance your portfolio. However, you can contact your advisor whenever you have a significant life event or question.
  5. What is the first step to becoming a client?
    The best first step is to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation introductory call or meeting. This allows us to learn about your unique financial situation and goals, and for you to ask any further questions to see if our services are a good fit.

Client Focus

  1. What types of clients do you typically work with?
    We seek to work with people who want to take control of their financial lives with clarity and purpose. They are looking for an honest, knowledgeable advisor, someone with real credentials and experience to help them navigate challenges and build a future that reflects their values.
  2. How will you communicate with me?
    We communicate through your preferred method, whether that be in-person meetings, phone calls, video conferencing, or email.
  3. Do you only manage investments, or do you offer financial planning as well?
    We offer a fully integrated, comprehensive approach. Our investment management is an essential component of the overall financial plan, which includes all aspects of your financial life. We are a financial planning first firm, the plan drives the investments, not the other way around.