Frequently Asked Questions

---

Our clients are solely located in the United States. We are registered or licensed in the State of Michigan for Accountancy  and as an Investment Adviser. However, our technology and processes allow us to serve clients throughout the U.S. 

Collaborating with J Robert Bergmann Advisors(TM) typically begins with an initial consultation by Zoom to understand the client's situation, needs, and goals. In-person meetings can also be arranged. If a mutual fit develops, we draft a Client Agreement outlining our recommended approach and scope of work for you to review. We're also available for questions you may have during this process at any time.

Yes! We are CPAs in addition to financial planners and investment advisors. As such, we include tax advice and annual tax return preparation in our base fees. See details at Item #4 in our Form ADV Part 2 regulatory brochure.

We are not attorneys and therefore do not practice law or give legal advice. 

However, included in our base fees for all clients is access to estate planning technology that can deliver estate planning documentation that is legally valid across all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.

We generally require you to review estate plan documents with your trusted estate planning attorney before proceeding with any legal action. If you do not have an existing attorney relationship, we can give you referral options for professionals in our network of qualified attorneys across the U.S.

By working with J Robert Bergmann Advisors(TM), you will have access to an estate plan that can easily be updated as changes occur in your family and business life. All updates can be made without limit and on demand, typically without additional external costs or new fees from our firm.

Our investment philosophy is rooted in the principles of broad diversification, strategic asset allocation (mix of stocks and bonds), capital preservation, long-term growth, and minimization of investment-related costs and taxes.  

Our investment philosophy includes the design and implementation of portfolios in ways that:

• Don't attempt to time the markets.

• Do not attempt to beat market returns over the long-term.

• Don't attempt to pick individual investment winners and losers.

• Are comprised of low-cost exchange traded funds (ETFs).

• Are highly diversified and seek to capture worldwide market returns (both U.S. and international markets).

• Hold appropriate levels of cash for spending in the short term, avoiding the need for clients to access investments during volatile times and “sell low” to pay for their day-to-day lifestyle.

• Control what can be controlled, generally income taxes and investment-related costs.

• Avoid speculation - no cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, penny stocks, commodities trading, structure products & derivatives, hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private debt, collectibles, etc. 

• Help clients guard against making investment decisions based on fear and emotion.

We are committed to delivering long-term, risk-adjusted returns through a disciplined, evidence-based investment approach. By maintaining a mix of stocks and bonds that balance equity and fixed-income exposures, and by adhering to a disciplined rebalancing process, we strive to optimize returns while managing risk. 

Most often, we offer three distinct model portfolios to select from, which are designed to align with the principles of our investment philosophy.​

1. GlobalQuad(TM) Portfolio

The GlobalQuad(TM) portfolio embodies our commitment to comprehensive diversification by integrating a broad spectrum of asset classes and markets. By investing in both domestic and international equities and bonds, we aim to provide a balanced exposure that mitigates risk and capitalizes on global economic opportunities. This approach helps ensure that our clients are well-positioned to benefit from the dynamic nature of global markets.

​

2. Strategic Horizons(TM) Portfolio

The Strategic Horizons(TM) portfolio provides additional layers of risk management through its overweighting of short-term bonds and inflation-protected securities, catering to investors who focus on mitigating risks addressed by these specific holdings at a very low cost. Here, the comprehensive diversification of our GlobalQuad(TM) portfolio described above is expanded upon with targeted strategies for managing inflation, enhancing liquidity, and reducing interest rate risks due to a shorter-duration bond focus.

3. Strategic Global Factor(TM) Portfolio

The Strategic Global Factor(TM) portfolio is designed for investors seeking a comprehensive, research-backed investment solution that leverages the benefits of factor exposures (i.e. value and size factors), broad domestic and international diversification, and management of overall portfolio volatility to help achieve long-term financial goals. 

Overall Approach

Our overarching investment philosophy is to blend empirical research with personalized strategies, ensuring that each portfolio is tailored to meet the unique goals and risk tolerances of our clients. 

In addition to the three model portfolios outlined above, we also have the flexibility to design custom strategies if such an approach would be in the best interest of our clients. Custom strategies may be necessary to work in harmony with:

• Other holdings you are required to use (such as those in employer retirement accounts)
• Legacy holdings you wish to retain
• Families with high tax burdens
• Other investment-related situations unique to your family 

Finally, we are committed to continuous monitoring and adjustment of our investment approaches to adapt to evolving market conditions, always prioritizing the financial well-being and objectives of those we serve.

At J Robert Bergmann Advisors(TM), we recognize the importance of collaborating with highly qualified and experienced partners who not only possess exceptional expertise but also share our investment philosophy. 

To enhance our portfolio design and ongoing evaluation processes, we have partnered with Bennyhoff & Co., a firm renowned for its commitment to excellence in investment consulting.​

We invite you to learn more about Bennyhoff & Co. by visiting their official website at bennyhoffllc.com. Additionally, for comprehensive background information, please consult FINRA's BrokerCheck at brokercheck.finra.org. These resources will provide insight into the expertise and dedication that Bennyhoff & Co. brings to our collaborative efforts.​

J Robert Bergmann Advisors(TM) never takes custody of client assets. Nor do we have access to them, except for performing investment services consistent with objectives communicated by you and to collect our periodic fee.

Your investment account(s) will be established at an independent, third-party Qualified Custodian as approved by you. The custodian holds your assets and executes transactions in your account(s).

We recommend and utilize Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as an independent and unaffiliated SEC registered broker-dealer firm and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”).

Our clients often own family businesses, professional practices, and/or rental properties. Our team members have also owned businesses and rental properties. 

In addition to being principals ourselves, our team has worked for more than 30 years with entrepreneurs and investors. We've served in roles that included the duties, responsibilities, and titles of Landlord, Controller, Chief Financial Officer, Director of Operations, President, and Chief Compliance Officer.

We've been around the block managing family owned enterprises and rental properties, and can help your business endeavors with our experience and knowledge.

J Robert Bergmann Advisors(TM) typically includes a reasonable number of hours for business and rental property planning and advising in its fee. These hours are at no additional charge, but may be limited based on complexity and your situation on a case by case basis. Hours beyond a reasonable number per year can be mutually agreed upon for each business entity, at the rate of $250/hour. See more details throughout our Form ADV Part 2 regulatory brochure.

In building our firm, we set out to embrace a key philosophy about fees and costs. We believe investors should control what they can, namely investment-related fees and (when permissible) tax costs. 

As such, our fees for ongoing services (including portfolio costs) were designed to be less than 1% at all times for clients meeting our minimum investable asset levels. 

Note, however, that when minimum relationship sizes are present our fees may be higher than 1%. For example, we charge a minimum fee of $1,500 per quarter which may result in fee percentages higher than 1% for some clients. 

With respect to portfolio costs, our Strategic Global Factor(TM) portfolio contains slightly higher investment costs, which may also result in our fee plus portfolio costs being higher than 1% for certain smaller-relationship clients.

See Item #5 at our Form ADV Part 2 regulatory brochure for all the details. We trust that you'll find value in our comprehensive, one-stop service offering!