We were founded by: 

• Michael D. Porcelain, CPA, MS, MBA 
   
• He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (“AICPA“), a member of the Personal Financial Planning Division of the AICPA, a member of the New York State Society of CPA’s and is a lifetime member of the American Association of Individual Investors.
   
• Michael was formally a Manager with the Financial Advisory Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  Prior to that, he worked for KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and IBM. He has been a professional money manager since 1987, has hosted several radio talk shows and is routinely quoted in the press. His full biography is listed on his personal website at MichaelPorcelain.com. 
  

Read more about our history by clicking here.

The Independent Adviser Corporation has access to respected research analysts in select industries. Because we are not an investment bank (e.g. we perform no corporate underwriting or equity offerings) we market ourselves as 100% Independent and 100% Objective. Our research reports reaches thousands of institutional investors.  

We have freedom to say what we think – not want companies want you to hear. We focus on needs of the investor – both institutional and individual. We believe that analysts that work for firms such as Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley, although highly competent and influential, are biased because they are called “sell-side” analysts. Their main purpose is to sell you stocks of companies their firms respectively underwrite. We are one of the first investment research firms to circulate our buy-side research and summaries directly to the public. 

When performing our research, our analysts probe management to understand the real trends. We talk to line managers, vendors, suppliers as well as CEOs. We do our homework and always look for the next clue. We use our intelligence and our instinct.   We read company and industry reports, economic analysis and briefings on a regular basis. We listen to conference calls with company officials. All this is supplemented with daily computer updates of comments on broad economic and interest rate outlooks coupled with timely industry and individual company information from published sources.

We participate in various seminars and professional organizations including the Financial Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  When making specific buy recommendation, our research analysts work with our Investment Managers who generally follow the below process:

• We first develop a list of investment opportunities in stocks of companies that have long term value and bright futures. For growth orientated investors, we have a preference for stocks that provide medium to long term potential for superior capital appreciation. For income orientated investors, we seek dividend paying stocks. We also seek out value stocks that provide superior long-term appreciation. Once we consider a company’s fundamental strength, we generally use technical analysis to recommend any initial stock purchases.
  

• When recommending mutual funds or ETFs, we generally look at the following factors: historical performance, performance relative to the risk assumed, performance among peer mutual funds, performance in rising and falling markets. These ratings are maintained by such groups as Morningstar as well as our in-house research staff.

Because we believe your independent Fee-Only Financial Adviser knows you best, they may or make not make use of our investment research. They are free to make specific recommendations based on each individual’s risk tolerance, asset-class preference, time horizon, and investment goals and to use other research produced by any firm. 

Our buy-side research team believes that most investors should hold individual stocks and low cost mutual funds. Over time, they have outperformed all other types of investments and outpaced inflation. Cash and bonds do not grow; they only pay interest. We believe that cash and bonds should be used to satisfy individual needs for diversification, safeguarding of principle and liquidity.

Although commodities and options can be appropriate for certain investors, we believe that most investors can find superior investment opportunities elsewhere. If there are other types of investments, companies or industries that you want your Financial Adviser to avoid, be sure to tell them so they can structure your portfolio in accordance with your wishes.

All investment strategies have their short-term ups and downs and are based on the level of risk tolerance and asset allocation of each individual. We believe that your success should be measured not based on your portfolio return but rather how well your own personal financial goals are met by your Financial Adviser. 

Upon request, your Financial Adviser should provide you with similar clients that may be helpful in determining how successful they will be. If you would like to receive personal references, please provide us a description of your background, your personal situation and your goals. Upon receipt, we will forward this request to an independent Fee-Only Financial Advisers located in your area who will provide you with personal references that are most appropriate to your situation..

Individual managed accounts are managed for individuals and are not like mutual funds. As such, there are specific rules that prohibit testimonial use. Specifically, Rule 206(4) -1 under the SEC’s Investment Advisors Act prohibits use or referring to testimonials including any statement of an individual client’s experience or endorsement. Economic or market conditions can adversely impact financial results, dividends, interest and other earnings. 

Generally, your assets will be held in your own account with a broker or other financial institution, not with your Financial Adviser. 

You should be certain that the account established is in your name so that you always have personal access to your funds. You and your financial adviser will agree upon objectives and your financial adviser may ask you for discretionary investment authority to execute your strategy. This means they can place orders to buy and sell investments and reinvest the proceeds without obtaining your prior approval for individual transactions. This is how most discretionary investment accounts are established. 

Your investment manager will need a limited power of attorney from you (included with their account applications). This allows the investment manager to place trades on your behalf but prohibits him or her by law from transferring assets out of your account.

Each month, you should receive a statement directly from the custodian (e.g. Fidelity or Charles Schwab) indicating the monthly performance of your investments. This information is a detailed summary that contains information such as market values, investment dividends, interest, and security sales and purchase activity. You will receive a breakdown of the portfolio by investments. You should discuss how often you want to receive a performance summary from your Financial Adviser. We believe that quarterly performance is appropriate for most clients. Depending on the nature of your account, you will receive Internet-based on-line access via a client only page so that you may monitor your investments 24 hours a day.

Your independent Fee-Only financial adviser will generally follow the following process to define your needs:

• Step One    Understanding Your Objectives and Goals  
  This will generally include completing a questionnaire that details your finances and personal circumstances. It is important to complete this step so that your Financial Adviser is aware of all appropriate circumstances.
  
  
• Step Two    Developing Your Asset Allocation Model
  Your Financial Adviser will generally develop an asset allocation model and mix. This model defines your portfolio based upon the percentage to be held in stocks, bonds or cash.  
  
  
• Step Three Selecting Investments
  Once an asset allocation model is agreed to, your Financial Adviser will generally select appropriate investments so that you can meet your goals that were previously agreed. 
  
  
• Step Four   Ongoing Review
  You and your Financial Adviser will agree to the exact amount of ongoing review you that you desire or believe is appropriate. 
  

Because each person’s needs and style are different, the approach will be modified based upon your agreement with your Financial Adviser. 

When you work with an independent, Fee-Only financial adviser you get personal service, an individualized portfolio and ongoing management. Our independent Fee-Only financial advisers are free to choose the best and most suitable investment product for you. You pay a set fee for this type of service, usually 1% of assets being managed plus a nominal transaction cost for the investment.  The transaction cost is charged by an independent broker dealer.  The exact amount is based on the level of service you seek and is disclosed to you.  

Just click here and fill out your information and someone will contact you shortly.