Independent means you come first, always.

Our advisors work directly for their clients, not their wallets or sales quotas.

Independent advisors don’t represent banks, brokerage companies, insurance companies, or other financial corporations.
All advisors in the Orange County Financial Advisors Network are independent.

Fee-only financial planning firms, like those listed on this website, have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients. As independent advisors, we work directly for our clients, not a corporate entity.  We have made this choice because we strongly believe that our advice should be focused solely on the needs of our clients.

Benefits of working with an independent advisor

1. Client-focused, not corporate focused

As independent financial advisors, we serve and work solely for our clients rather than a corporation. Our loyalty and fiduciary duty is to our clients and our clients only.

Because we don’t represent anyone but our clients, we are free from the pressures and tension to put someone else’s interests before our clients’.

2. Access to a wide range of solutions

Since we’re not affiliated with corporate entities, we’re not limited a specific list of investments or insurance products that they allow. These large corporate entities tend to limit available solutions because they maintain their own list of company-branded products (or proprietary) that are expensive but encouraged.

Our advisors are free to recommend from a wider range of solutions since we’re independent advisors. This means our advisors are able to give better advice and our clients receive a better experience.

3. Dedicated service with less turnover

By working with an independent advisor and firm you can rest assured that you will have dedicated service BY THEM. Many large financial companies frequently rotate advisors or advisors or they simply leave for one reason or another (i.e. burnout).

Working with an independent advisor doesn’t mean that they won’t leave the industry at some point in their life but it does mean that you’ll most likely get a more consistent experience because you’ll be working directly with the same advisor (and team). This is a win for both advisor and client because a deeper level of trust leads to a deeper relationship which leads to a better client experience.

4. Creativity & flexibility

Financial advisors that belong to large corporate firms tend to be limited from the technology they use to their systems and processes. This is because the company has to ensure that:

  • all of their advisors are acting compliantly

  • the processes could generally be applied to everyone

  • everything works together “nicely”

Unfortunately, this means is sub-par client experience and a less customized solution.

Independent advisors and firms that are smaller in nature have to ability to be more creative and flexible in how they serve their clients. Because most independent advisors tend to have a “niche”, or a clearly defined ideal client, they’re able to create their entire business around how to provide world-class service to that niche. Rest assured that the technology, processes, meetings, communication, and financial planning will largely be customized because of the nature of being independent. Not only that but independent advisors are able to communicate, implement, and adapt quicker because of fewer barriers and resistances.

5. Long-term relationships

As independent advisors, we (and our teams) are the ones implementing all client requests, requirements, and recommendations and not distant and corporate service teams. Because of this, we naturally develop deeper relationships with our clients that tend to be long-term. This allows for us to continually gain a clearer understanding of your unique goals and the implications on your stewardship journey.