Financial Planning

It all starts with the plan. To build wealth, advance planning is necessary. We start with the premise that money is a means to achieve a goal or set of goals and is not a goal by itself. Since everyone’s goals are unique, each financial plan is customized to reflect a client’s individual circumstances, priorities and strategies.

Our consultation process follows a consistent discipline.

• We identify and understand the standard that you have set for your advisor relationship and your plan. This is based on decisions you have already made and will need to make.
• We analyze actual performance based on your standards and the standards by which Mason-McBride Capital Advisors, LLC operates.
• We diagnose whether you are receiving the maximum value for your risk and the financial management strategies being offered.
• We provide alternative strategic solutions to assist you in moving in the direction you want to take.

Our financial planning practice embraces the Total Return Process^®, integrating your legal, tax, insurance and investment strategies. Each client works with an advisor through a five-step process:

1. Establish and define the scope of the advisor relationship through the preparation of a Statement of Services.
2. Gather data and establish goals and priorities.
3. Analyze and evaluate your current financial status against the goals and priorities you have established.
4. Develop and present recommendations and alternatives for review and refinement.
5. Implement agreed-upon recommendations and monitor the progress toward achieving your goals.

The planning process is consistent whether it is applied to retirement, education, estate or specific goal planning. The plan itself is unique to each client.

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Wealth/Asset Strategies

Mutual funds, equities, bonds and alternative investments are tools that can help clients acquire the benefits of diversification and assist in the attainment of specific financial goals. The foundation of an effective risk management strategy is diversification in asset classes, sectors and individual equities and bonds. Each client strategy is built around their specific tolerance for risk, balanced against the desire for growth. Client portfolios generally consist of assets seeking to achieve:

• Wealth Preservation
• Wealth Generation

Change is the only constant in the investment markets. A solid plan and disciplined approach to investment and the management of risk can help you achieve your financial objectives.

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Retirement Planning

When thinking of retirement, everyone asks two questions: Will I outlive my money? And, do I have enough money to maintain a comfortable lifestyle? Our investment professionals will assist you as you go through our retirement planning process and determine what level of discipline is required to meet your retirement goals. They will then coordinate this with your existing portfolio analysis and determine how the various pieces of the retirement puzzle will fit. This is a dynamic process that requires an annual review to keep the portfolio working in its most effective and efficient manner.

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Strategies for Business Owners

Business owners have specific needs and unique risk management issues that are often complicated by concentration of wealth in their business. Plan designs consider the following elements:

Estate Management
Tax efficiency is not the only aspect of an estate strategy. Asset distribution to succeeding generations and/or charitable organizations requires a plan be properly balanced between tax issues and individual desires.

Business Succession
Both internal and external succession strategies possess unique financial planning issues for a business owner. Overall coordination of business and personal financial strategies is necessary to help achieve a client’s objectives.

Asset Concentration & Liquidity
Business owners are often in a position whereby a significant portion of their net worth is invested in their business and as a result illiquid and non-diversified. Investment strategies must contemplated and be managed for these issues.

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401K Plans

The consulting services function is designed to listen and learn about what is important to you and your business. Mason-McBride Capital Advisors, LLC will dedicate the necessary consulting services time on issues and concerns surrounding the retirement plan and administration strategy. We will customize a project management schedule to your specific time frame and begin the first step to integrate your retirement plan strategy into a total business solution. Our approach is to rank, in order of importance, what will maximize the value of the retirement plan and administration for the costs incurred and to set forth the goals, objectives and tasks associated with accomplishing what is valuable to you, not just the value added through our services.

Plan Design
Plan Design services may be as simple as purchasing "off the rack" or as complex as purchasing the fabric for a tailored suit and incorporating the following steps:

• Identification and understanding of current plan design features and choices
• Analysis of what you intended to design vs. your actual design and the results obtained
• Diagnosis of the unintended consequences of your plan design
• Solutions that, provided in the form of alternatives, allow you to move your plan design into alignment with your goals

Vendor Strategies, Analysis and Benchmarking
Vendor strategies are the most intriguing variable in the overall construction of a 401(K) plan. The number of feasible plan providers within a specific market will often reflect their target group demographic. Considerations are given to the Vendor's ability to deliver:

• Recordkeeping
• Technology Services
• Employee Communications
• Compliance
• Investment Management
• Cost
• Other miscellaneous items

Annual Fiduciary Review
ERISA 404(a) and 404(c) is designed to provide protection for retirement assets. ERISA 404(a) addresses fiduciary duties and 404(c) focuses on protections for plan participant investment decisions.
A fiduciary under ERISA includes the Plan Sponsor, Administrator, Investment Advisor and anyone who exercises authority or control over management of the plan or its administration. An annual review of the plan and its assets is necessary to ensure:

1. Diversification of investment options
2. Fund performance
3. Adequate and effective communication
4. Records and

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