Pathfinder does not receive commissions for recommending investments, insurance, or other financial products. Clients pay us directly.
This removes the incentive to recommend one financial product because it pays a larger commission. Other compensation conflicts can remain.
Pathfinder provides ongoing planning for a quarterly planning retainer plus an additional amount calculated using the billing definition of net worth. See the fee calculation and terms.
The conflicts that remain
Part of our fee varies with the amount included in the billing calculation. A recommendation that changes that amount can also affect our compensation. A retainer also creates a potential incentive to spend less time on the work. These are conflicts to discuss when evaluating our advice.
We work to reduce conflicts, disclose those that remain, and explain the reasons for our advice, including when a recommendation affects our fee.
“Fee-based” is not the same term. It commonly describes advisors who charge fees and also receive commissions. When comparing firms, ask who can pay the advisor and read the answer in the firm’s Form ADV.