| Our Firm L. J. Altfest & Co., Inc. specializes in helping
people with their financial planning and investment management needs. Our goal is to
improve investment returns, reduce taxes, and plan future cash flows. Headquartered in
Manhattans financial district, we are able to interact with other specialists while
maintaining a warm, professional environment for our clients.
Objectivity
L.J. Altfest & Co.s advice is
impartial. Our only source of compensation is fees from clients. We do not accept
commissions. We have no products to sell. We are free to make recommendations that are
truly in the client s best interest.
Experience
We are a well-established fee-only
financial and investment advisory firm founded in 1982. We work with clients in person by
telephone, e-mail and fax around the world. Our president, Lewis J. Altfest, Ph.D., CPA,
CFA, CFP, was named one of the "Best Planners" in the U.S. by Money magazine.
Both Lew Altfest and vice president Karen C. Altfest, Ph.D., CFP, are included on the Worth
"Best 300 Financial Advisers List" in the nation. We have an experienced
international staff holding the MBA, CPA and CFP.
Personal Service
L.J. Altfest & Co. is large enough to handle
complex situations yet small enough to devote personal attention to each client. Our
skilled, understanding staff helps clients
make decisions and solve problems. Informed,
timely responses to questions are a priority. We schedule early morning and evening
meetings to accommodate clients schedules.
Why Financial Planning?
A first-rate financial advisor is an objective
and knowledgeable professional who can provide solutions for clients financial and
investment needs, either alone or as part of a clients advisory team. With the
increasing array of investment products and the growing burden of taxes, supervising
financial affairs has become more complex. Some individuals have no background in
analyzing financial matters, and others lack the time. Expert planning sets a steady
course for both the financial novice and the experienced investor.
Financial Planning Our Approach
True financial planning is a serious undertaking.
It requires knowledge in a broad range of financial activities as well as a deep
understanding of individual client needs. L.J. Altfest & Co. meets both these
criteria. Through focused discussions with each client, we gain information that enables
us to make recommendations that reflect personal concerns, needs and resources. Within the
framework of an informed relationship, we work with our clients to fulfill their financial
and Investment goals
Our Services
What We Can Do For You
- Overall Financial Planning
- Investment Management Services
- Reducing Tax Liabilities
- Improving Investment Returns
- Protecting Assets and Reducing Investment Risk
- Retirement Planning
- Estate Planning
- Cash flow Planning
- Managing an Inheritance/Lump Sum Settlement
- Planning for Childrens Education
- Evaluating and Financing a Co-op or House
- Evaluating Insurance Needs
- Business Consulting
- Corporate Seminars
Our Added Value:
- Access to more diversified investment
products, including private limited partnerships that may be independent of stock market
fluctuations.
- Possible cost savings from lower taxes, reductions
in ongoing commission fees, use of no-load products and other funds that pay for
themselves.
- Hands-on management by the president and vice
president of our firm and personal relationships with them.
- Global scope built on international expertise.
Investment Management Services
L.J. Altfest & Co., Inc., a registered
investment advisor, actively manages diversified portfolios either alone or with ongoing
financial planning for clients with a minimum of $500,000 investable assets. The makeup of
our portfolios reflects specific client goals such as long-term capital gains or high
current income and capital preservation. Individual tax circumstances are also taken into
account as are client needs and our projected rates of return for alternative investments.
We review portfolios frequently to make sure they continue to reflect client requirements
and our best thinking. Our objective is to equal or exceed expectations for growth of
assets and income while managing portfolios in a careful manner.
Our Investment Style
L. J. Altfest & Co., Inc. employs a longer
term approach to investing. The result is generally a reduction in asset turnover and
lower commission expenses. Our portfolio
strategy is multi-faceted. Our views of the
economy and the stock, bond and real estate markets are most important. We use
quantitative measurements of risk and return and asset allocation methods that can reduce
fluctuations in portfolio performance. These modern techniques are combined with our own
analysis of securities in drawing investment conclusions. Our value-oriented investment
philosophy suggests assets that are considered sound but are currently less popular with
investors. We believe that our style, developed by our president over his more than 25
years of investment experience, reduces overall risk and leads to highly favorable, longer
term investment performance.
Specialized Services
Comprehensive Personal Financial Plans
examine the clients whole financial life and provide detailed, interactive
recommendations. Plans include investment selection, retirement and estate planning,
insurance planning, tax planning and cash flow strategies.
Retirement Plans focus on proper organization
for retirement regardless of age. They indicate the amount of assets and/or yearly savings
needed to retire comfortably, and make specific investment recommendations to enhance
retirement security.
Investment Reviews integrate experienced
professional thinking, modern asset allocation strategies and client goals and risk
tolerance. The goal: to improve returns and
reduce portfolio fluctuations, either by client
management or ongoing relationship services with our firm (see investment management).
Estate Plans help clients organize their
wills, consider trusts and analyze other estate matters to reflect personal wishes in a
way that minimizes potential taxes. We work closely with the clients attorney who
implements the estate plan.
Corporate and Physicians Services are
designed for individual, medical practices and hospitals that want to increase
productivity by lessening their staffs financial concerns. We offer informative
seminars and interactive workshops on retirement planning, investments and overall
financial planning. We can customize detailed services for select individual needs.
Womens Services deal with financial
issues that affect women and their families. Many of our clients are widows or divorced
women who are new to financial concepts and have specific questions and concerns. Our Vice
President, Karen Altfest, spends a good deal of her time conducting seminars for women in
our offices and speaking to womens professional and investment groups.
Schedule Fees for Services
Service |
Oral |
Written |
| Complete Investment review |
From $2,500 |
From $3,500 |
| Complete Retirement Plan |
From $2,500 |
From $3,500 |
| Comprehensive Financial Plan |
From $5,000 |
From $6,500 |
Hourly Financial Consultation $250 per
hour
Hourly Investment Consultation $250 per hour (4 hour minimum)
Annual Inverstment Management Fee --
Subject to a minimum account size of $500,000.
| Assets under management |
Fee as a percentage of
assets |
| Up to $1,000,000 |
1.00% |
| $1,000,001 to $2,000,000 |
0.75% |
| $2,000,001 and higher |
0.50% |
Payable in quarterly installments
Note: This is a sample of services provided by
our firm and typical fees for each service. When we learn more about your personal
situation we will suggest which service is appropriate for you and tell you the specific
cost for that service. Investment advisory fees can be tax deductible if they exceed 2% of
your Adjusted Gross Income.
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