Fee Only Investment Advisers
About Us
Different strokes for different folks is not just a phrase, it’s an article of faith for us. All our services are specifically tailored for each client depending on their needs and risk/resources profile. We use our expertise across investments, tax, regulatory requirements to provide a comprehensive bouquet of services to our clients. We give our clients the confidence that they are likely to achieve the goals set out for themselves. This allows them to enjoy the financial journey rather than simply focus on the destination. We enable our clients to stop and smell the roses!!
Why pay fees
They say “There is no such thing as a free lunch”. One has to pay the price for anything and everything they consume, either directly or indirectly. Same holds true in personal finance as well. Historically, personal finance profession has bred, thrived and prospered on “commission model”. This is true not only for India but across the globe. Let’s understand how does commission model work.
For example, let’s say you want to buy insurance cover. When you buy insurance policy from your insurance agent all you have to pay is insurance policy premium. You don’t have to pay anything to the agent for his service. Service of insurance agent comes “Free of Cost” to you. But is it really for Free? Of course not !! Insurance agent makes money by earning commission on each policy she sells. This commission is paid by the insurance company. Insurance company takes into account the cost of commission while quoting premium for your policy. In simple words, your insurance premium goes up because of the commission paid by insurance company to the agent.
The next obvious thought that comes to mind is then why do we charge fees to clients? Why don’t we make commission? When working on commission model agent faces constant conflict of interest and dilemma – whether to sell a product that serves the best to client’s need or to sell a product which pays higher commission to her. Her loyalty may get divided. On the other hand we don’t face such conflict of interest because we get the same amount of fees from client irrespective of the product client decides to buy. Client’s interest and our interest are aligned and our loyalty stays undivided.
But is that the only reason you should decide to pay fees to us ? Nope, there are number of reasons why paying fees to us makes sense for you. Following are the reasons –
Have you ever thought why we all spend most of our adult life to make money? Because we all have different dreams, different aspirations. And most of these aspirations are fulfilled with the help of money. Ultimate goal is not to earn money. Money doesn’t have meaning in itself. It merely acts as a means to fulfill one’s aspirations.
We help clients to give meaning to their money. We help them identify their aspirations and goals and work towards achieving those goals in a planned and disciplined manner. We engage with clients in deep, meaningful and sometimes enlightening conversations to determine their goals.
Unfortunately, most have us seen a family left stranded after a sudden demise or illness of head of the family. Kids’ education, festival celebrations, family vacations and quality of life in general suffers.
They say “life is full of surprises and uncertainty”. One need to protect interest of their loved one’s in case if something unfortunate was to happen to them. We discuss and advise on how to mitigate various risks.
We are not Insurance agents or Insurance brokers. We do not benefit in any direct or indirect manner from a client buying any Insurance policies recommended by us. We encourage clients to buy these policies directly from Insurance company’s website.
90% of people ending up not making the desired investment due to sheer inertia or some operational issue. You may get busy with pursuing your career, job, business, raising children or other aspects of our life that your personal finances get side tracked.
Our services come in handy during this time. We take over all operational tasks like nudgining you to make the desired investments and assist with operational changes such as change of address, change of bank accounts, dealing with bounced SIPs, initiating investment transactions, persistent follow-ups with clients etc.
At Fee Only we manage your expectations so that you are ready for the inevitable ups and downs in any investment journey. Like In cricket, you don’t expect a bowler to score runs or a batsman to take wickets we make sure that the rationale for each investment is explained fully and your expectations are managed effectively.
Imagine a person weighing 150 kg. He determines to get fit and in the process shed few kgs. He starts exercising at home. He starts exercising everyday. After 6 months, he stands on weighing machine and realizes that needle hasn’t moved even an inch. He then joins the gym. His Health Coach helps him exercise in the gym. Fast forward 6 months, he manages to lose a whopping 15 kg. He then realizes that his Health Coach’s job was not only to make him exercise. He had one more job and more so important, to manage his behavior. The Health Coach was also motivating him to eat healthy diet and sleep well.
As an investment adviser we play similar role to that of a gym trainer in our clients life. Yes, we give investment advise, but that’s not the only thing we do. We play more important role when it comes to behavior management. Eg. In times of high volatility and uncertainty, not letting client panic and handholding them to stick to disciplined investing.
We have a strong team of Chartered Accountants to assist in investment related tax planning. Harsh himself is a rank holder Chartered Accountant and is accoladed by personal finance community for having a perfect marriage of investment and taxation knowledge.
Our clients over the years have handsomely reaped benefits of this knowledge.
Harsh has 20+ years of experience in corporate world, start-up and advisory practice. He himself has gone through or witnessed his loved going through major life transitions. These can mean buying house, career change, moving to a different country etc. Lot of our clients go through similar life changing event. Harsh’s rich experience comes in handy during these time.
We make sure that our clients have a Will in place, and they are prepared for situations like COMA or an unconscious state of mind, by thinking through what all can be useful and handy in that situation. Which in turn helps their loved ones.
Suppose you get a bonus, and you ask our advice, whether to pay off the loan or invest? We have a conflict of interest as if you invest the bonus in financial assets the fee payable to us goes up. As an RIA, by law we are obligated to disclose conflict of interest and give you an advice. So that you’re able to take conscious decisions after taking into consideration the conflict of interest.
Our Fee Structure
Comprehensive Financial Planning Fee Structure will be based on Assets Under Advise (AUA)
Period for which Payable | For First 3 months | Month 4 to Month 12 (for the next 9 months) | Month 13 to Month 36 (for the next 2 years) | Month 37 onwards (after 3 years) |
Chargeable AUA | Estimated AUA Based on data provided by client | Actual AUA | Actual AUA | Actual AUA |
Where AUA is below Rs. 5 Crore | 1.50% p.a. of the AUA | 1.50% p.a. of the AUA | 1.25% p.a. of the AUA | 1% of the AUA |
Where AUA is equal or below Rs. 10 Crore | 1% p.a. of the AUA | 1% p.a. of the AUA | 0.75% p.a. of AUA | 0.75% of the AUA |
Where AUA is equal or below Rs. 20 Crore | For AUA up to Rs. 10 Crore, the aforementioned fee applies. For AUA exceeding Rs. 10 Crore but less than Rs. 20 Crore, a fee of 0.50% p.a. will be applicable on the balance amount. | |||
Where AUA exceed Rs. 20 Crore | For AUA up to Rs. 10 Crore, the aforementioned fee applies. For the next Rs. 10 Crore, a fee of 0.50% p.a. will be applicable. For AUA exceeding Rs. 20 Crore, a fee of 0.25% p.a. will be applicable on the balance amount. | |||
Fee Payment | Payable in advance for first 3 months | Payable every month | Payable every month | Payable every month |
GST is extra as applicable (currently 18% of the Fee).
Illustration of Fees:
If we enter into the contract on April 1, 2024:
Period | For 01-Jul-2024 to 30-Sep-2024 (For First 3 Months) | For 01-Oct-2024 to 30-Jun-2025 | For 01-Jul-2025 to 30-Jun-2027 | From 01-Jul-2027 onwards |
Period for which Payable | First 3 months (For First 3 Months) | Month 4 to Month 12 | Month 13 to Month 36 | Month 37 onwards onwards |
Chargeable AUA | Estimated Based on data provided by client | Actual AUA | Actual AUA | Actual AUA |
Chargeable AUA | ₹ 2,00,00,000 | ₹ 2,00,00,000 | ₹ 2,00,00,000 | ₹ 2,00,00,000 |
Fee Rate | 1.5% p.a. of AUA payable for the quarter in advance | 1.5% p.a. of AUA payable monthly in arrears | 1.25% p.a. of AUA payable monthly in arrears | 1% p.a. of AUA payable monthly in arrears |
Fee Payable | ₹ 75,000 for the quarter | ₹ 25,000 p.m. | ₹ 20,833 p.m. | ₹ 16,667 p.m. |
GST @ 18% | ₹ 13,500 for the quarter | ₹ 4,500 p.m. | ₹ 3,750 p.m. | ₹ 3,000 p.m. |
Total Fee payable | ₹ 88,500 for the quarter payable in advance | ₹ 29,500 p.m. | ₹ 24,583 p.m. | ₹ 19,667 p.m. |
To know your fee structure, download the calculator.
Fee Structure for Retired Investors available on request
Our charges for tax consulting and planning vary depending on the complexities of the case.
Scope of Work for generalised services related to filing of Tax Return
- Preparation of Annual income tax returns and assistance in filing your tax returns.
- Cross Check HRA calculations with rent agreements/bank statements and TDS deducted by client from rent paid to landlord.
- Calculate Income from house property for 2 properties
- New House property and other first-time details
- Professional income – 50% deduction 44ADA
- Specific review of capital gains tax provisions if applicable in your case
- Capital gains from Mutual Funds
- Bank scrutiny of credit entries upto 2 bank accounts bank statements
- Reconciliation of Annual Information Statement /26AS with Capital gain statement, Bank statement/Dividend Statement/Interest Income/ Form 16 / High Value transactions
- Feedback to Tax department on errors in AIS
- Preparation of tax computations considering tax deductions, exemptions, etc as specified in the provisions of Income Tax Act, 1961
- Providing consultancy for tax issues pertaining to this assessment year including tax planning strategies for the current and future assessment years
- Advise on maintaining documents that may be needed for the assessment proceedings.
- Assistance in online filing and verification of income tax return
- Assistance in payment of income tax, if any.
- Advance Tax Calculation – 4 quarters
- Past years carry forward losses data from prior IT returns filed
- Shareholding or directorship in unlisted companies / LLP / partnership firm
- Foreign Assets
- Alternative working between New Tax regime and old tax regime
- Computation of income and assistance in filing return
- Reporting of personal assets and liabilities if income is more than 50 lakhs
Fees for assistance in filing of income tax returns start from Rs. 23,600/- (including GST)
Why Fee Only Approach
At Fee Only, it is more than just hiring wealth or financial experts. It is the kind of long-term partnerships that promise transparency and delivers satisfaction. As team of seasoned financial experts and advisors it is our fiduciary responsibility to act in your best interests with unwavering passion and complete dedication. Hence, we work on fee only basis.
The Fee-Only approach, allows us not to get driven by commissions, targets or other selling philosophies – which are industry norms. Instead, it incentivises us to handle your wealth from a purely advisory standpoint and in your best interest. It helps us to give unbiased product recommendations to you, which will always be in line with achieving your objectives. This enables us to be truly walking alongside you, hand-in-hand.
Fee Only Edge
Unbiased Expertise
We live up to our name, literally. With a fee-only compensation model in place, we have no incentive to favour a service or product. Commission-based advisors can leave you second-guessing your decisions every step of the way, questioning their advice and motives. We identify financial solutions and products (or services) that will align with your goals, with no strings attached.
Fiduciary Responsibility
Being in a relationship based on trust, we take our fiduciary responsibilities seriously. As a SEBI registered investment advisor, when a client comes on board, we take a personal interest in ensuring that our clients’ resources are efficiently managed. By understanding our client’s goals, psyche and aspirations, we devise plans that will play to the strengths of their wealth all while working on solutions to avoid fees and commissions helping you navigate the financial landscape with ease.
360 Degrees Financial Solutions
Financial management can offer its own share of complications that could be unique to your situation; which is why utilising a one-size-fits-all approach may not be effective. Thus, we have developed a wide range of integrated wealth management solutions designed to help you make the most of your available
resources. Basically, a one-stop-shop for financial solutions.
Our integrated solutions includes:
- Financial Planning
- Investment Management
- Asset Allocation
- Risk Management and monitoring
- Cash Management
- Wealth Transfer
- Philanthropy Planning
- Charitable Planning
- Tax Advisory
- NRI Tax Advisory/Cross country Tax advisory
- Assistance in Filing Income Tax returns
- Remittance assistance for NRIs
Our Advisory Philosophy
As investment advisors who look out for the best interest of their clients, (as a part of our Fiduciary Responsibility) here are some of the guiding principles of our investment advisory practice:
- Answering the question on what percentage to invest in domestic equity, debt, international equity, real estate & gold has a far larger implication on your investment experience rather than identifying the best security in each asset class. Asset allocation trumps security selection.
- We recommend only systematic exposure to volatile asset classes such as equity, international equity or gold.
- Similarly we always recommend a gradual tapering out of volatile asset classes such as equity International equity or gold as the goal nears.
- We recommend simple investment products and stay away from recommending overtly complicated structures.
- We stay in close touch with our clients especially in volatile times to manage their behaviour and keep the plan on track.
- We believe every investor has a different risk appetite, different resources and different goals and hence every financial plan has to be designed to the specific needs of that client.
- We believe if we do not deliver constant value to our clients, the engagement will eventually cease to exist. Serving our clients interest is in our best interest.
Who Are Our Clients
Salaried individuals and professionals having investments of Rs. 2 crores (or more) OR an investible amount exceeding Rs. 3 lakhs per month are likely to get the best benefit from our services.
At Fee Only, our clientele is as unique as our proposition. We service both resident and NRI clients. We service the jet-setters, the go-getters, individuals that work in middle to senior positions in the corporate world, or those running their own companies/practices. Our clients would typically have an investment of at least Rs. 1 Crore or more (around USD 120,000 or more) or a monthly investible surplus of Rs. 3 lakhs or more.
What We Don’t Do
While we proudly flaunt our never say never attitude, here are a list of things we do not do.
- We do not provide stock tips or recommend day trading in shares.
- We do not recommend investments in specific equity stocks. Whatever equity exposure is recommended is normally in a basket of securities like mutual funds or a carefully curated list of PMS.
- We do not recommend complicated structured products to any of our clients, at whatever level they are. Our analysis is that such products never benefit the investor, but only the manufacturer of such products.
- We do not recommend investment in fancy products like BitCoin, MLM, etc.
- We do not earn a referral fee, commission or brokerage on any investment product or security. Our only sources of revenue is the fees we charge our clients. We offer transparent, unbiased advice.
We do not recommend any investment that promises unrealistic high returns, that simply seem too good to be true.
MEET US
Team
Harsh Roongta
Harsh Roongta is a Chartered Accountant by qualification (1983) who has worked at senior levels in ICICI. In his last assignment with them he was part of the senior management team that set up ICICI’s retail lending business from scratch in 1998. He quit to start off his entrepreneurial journey by setting up a retail finance market place – initially with Apnaloan.com and then Apnapaisa.com which he successfully exited in 2014. Harsh founded and runs Fee Only Investment Advisers LLP a SEBI registered Investment advisory Firm. He is director and past chairperson of Association of Registered Investment Advisers – a section 8 not for profit company formed for the promotion of investor interests by elevating the standards of the Investment advisory profession. He is on the governing council of Sahamati – which is a section 8 not for profit company that evangelises the adoption of the #AccountAggregator system across the entire ecosystem. He is also a member of the Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC) setup by SEBI. He is a well known personal finance expert with a fortnightly columns “Truth be told” in Business Standard. He is also the author of “The complete Home Loan Guide : Where to Go, Whom to ask, What to do”.
MEET US
Team
Harsh Roongta
Harsh Roongta is a Chartered Accountant by qualification (1983) who has worked at senior levels in ICICI. In his last assignment with them he was part of the senior management team that set up ICICI’s retail lending business from scratch in 1998. He quit to start off his entrepreneurial journey by setting up a retail finance market place – initially with Apnaloan.com and then Apnapaisa.com which he successfully exited in 2014. Harsh founded and runs Fee Only Investment Advisers LLP a SEBI registered Investment advisory Firm. He is director and past chairperson of Association of Registered Investment Advisers – a section 8 not for profit company formed for the promotion of investor interests by elevating the standards of the Investment advisory profession. He is on the governing council of Sahamati – which is a section 8 not for profit company that evangelises the adoption of the #AccountAggregator system across the entire ecosystem. He is also a member of the Alternative Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC) setup by SEBI. He is a well known personal finance expert with a fortnightly columns “Truth be told” in Business Standard. He is also the author of “The complete Home Loan Guide : Where to Go, Whom to ask, What to do”.
Keval Sangoi
Chief Operating Officer & Sr. Financial Planner
Kartik Shah
Financial Planner
Asawari Godbole
Sr. Financial Planner
Pratik Bathe
Sr. Operations Manager
Shruti Phatak
Operations Manager
Roopali Khadke
Compliance Officer
Sandeep Tahilramaney
Sr. Financial Planner
Shrikant Shukla
Sr. Admin Executive
Himanshu Lamgariya
Financial Planning Intern
Akanksha Kadam
Financial Planning Intern