Frequently Asked Questions
Below are common questions about Beacon Hill Private Wealth, our planning-first approach, and how we work with clients. For more detail, you may also review our Form ADV.
About Beacon Hill · Who We Work With · How the Relationship Works · Investments · Fees and Billing · Custody, Security, and Oversight · Tax-Aware Planning and Coordination · Getting Started · Disclosures
About Beacon Hill
1) What does Beacon Hill Private Wealth do?
Beacon Hill Private Wealth provides coordinated wealth management for individuals and families with complex financial lives. Our work integrates financial planning, investment oversight, and ongoing coordination so decisions are made in context over time.
Related: Services
2) Are you a fiduciary?
Yes. Beacon Hill Private Wealth is a Registered Investment Adviser, and we provide advice as a fiduciary—meaning we are required to act in clients’ best interests and to disclose and manage conflicts of interest.
3) What does “fee-only” mean at Beacon Hill?
Fee-only means Beacon Hill is compensated by clients for advisory services, not by commissions for selling financial products. The specific fees and terms are described in the client’s written agreement and our Form ADV.
4) Where are you located and do you work with clients outside New Jersey?
We are based in Summit, New Jersey and work with clients nationally, including by phone and video.
Related: Connect
Who We Work With
5) Who is Beacon Hill best suited for?
We are generally a good fit for individuals and families who want an ongoing advisory relationship and value coordinated planning, disciplined investing, and thoughtful decision-making—especially when finances include multiple accounts, tax considerations, retirement transitions, concentrated positions, business equity, or estate planning needs.
Related: Wealth Management
6) Do you have a minimum asset level or minimum fee?
Beacon Hill generally has a minimum annual fee of $10,000, billed quarterly in advance. Many clients also meet or exceed typical complexity and investable-asset thresholds, but fit is ultimately determined by planning needs and the scope of services.
Related: Our Fees
7) Are you the right advisor if we only want a one-time plan or a second opinion?
Sometimes. In certain circumstances, Beacon Hill may be engaged under a Consulting Services agreement rather than an ongoing asset-based advisory relationship. Scope and fees for consulting work are agreed to in advance and documented separately.
Related: Connect
8) What if we already have a CPA and an estate attorney?
That’s common. We frequently coordinate with outside professionals so your planning decisions, tax considerations, and implementation stay aligned. We do not provide legal or tax advice, but we help organize decisions and coordinate inputs across your team.
Related: Financial Planning
How the Relationship Works
9) What is your process for new clients?
It typically begins with an introductory conversation to understand your situation and determine fit. If we proceed, we gather information, clarify goals and constraints, establish a planning framework, align investment strategy to the plan, implement, and then review periodically as circumstances change.
Related: Services · Request an Introductory Conversation
10) What does “planning-first” mean in practice?
It means investment decisions are guided by your goals, cash flow needs, risk tolerance, taxes, and time horizon—not by market headlines or product sales. The plan sets the priorities; the portfolio supports the plan.
Related: Financial Planning · Investment Planning
11) How often do we meet or review the plan?
Review cadence depends on complexity and what is changing in your life. Many clients have periodic reviews and additional meetings around major events (retirement, liquidity events, relocation, business transitions, estate updates).
Related: Wealth Management
12) What do you handle versus what the client handles?
We handle the advisory work—planning coordination, investment oversight, monitoring, and ongoing guidance. Clients retain ownership of their accounts. Under our discretionary advisory relationship, Beacon Hill is generally authorized to implement investment decisions within the agreed objectives, constraints, and any client-specific restrictions documented in advance.
Related: Wealth Management
Investments
13) How would you describe your investment philosophy?
Our investment approach is evidence-based and disciplined. We emphasize diversification, cost and tax awareness, and long-term decision-making rather than market timing or prediction.
Related: Investment Planning
14) Do you try to beat the market or time the market?
We generally focus on building portfolios aligned to client goals and risk capacity and maintaining discipline through market cycles. We do not build portfolios around short-term predictions.
Related: Investment Planning
15) Do you use individual stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, or separate accounts?
Depending on the client’s needs, we may use a combination of broadly diversified funds (ETFs/mutual funds) and other vehicles where appropriate. The specific implementation is determined by the plan, tax considerations, and account structure.
Related: Investment Planning
16) Do you use alternatives like private equity or hedge funds?
If alternatives are considered, we evaluate them carefully in the context of the client’s goals, liquidity needs, costs, complexity, and risks. Not every client needs alternatives, and we do not treat them as a default solution.
17) How do you manage risk?
Risk management is addressed through planning (time horizon, spending needs, reserves), portfolio design (diversification, appropriate exposure), and ongoing monitoring and rebalancing. Risk is not eliminated; it is managed intentionally.
Related: Financial Planning · Investment Planning
Fees and Billing
18) How are advisory fees calculated?
For ongoing wealth management, fees are typically asset-based and follow a tiered schedule. This means different rates apply to different portions of assets, and the effective (blended) rate generally declines as assets increase. The specific fee schedule is established in the client’s written agreement.
Related: Our Fees
19) When and how are fees billed?
Advisory fees are typically billed quarterly in advance, based on the value of managed (or advised) assets as of the prior quarter-end, as described in the Wealth Advisory Agreement.
Related: Our Fees
20) Are there additional costs besides your advisory fee?
Yes. Mutual fund and ETF internal expenses are separate and are described in each fund’s disclosures. Custodians may charge certain fees, and additional costs may apply if outside managers or specialized strategies are used. Your agreement and disclosures provide details.
21) Do you receive commissions or third-party compensation?
Beacon Hill is fee-only and is compensated by clients. We do not receive commissions for investment recommendations. Details on compensation and conflicts are described in our Form ADV.
Custody, Security, and Client Protections
22) Where are my assets held?
Client assets are held at independent qualified custodians (for example, Fidelity or Schwab, depending on arrangement). Accounts are held in your name.
Related: Our Alliances
23) Do you take custody of client funds?
Beacon Hill generally does not take custody of client funds. Clients receive statements and confirmations directly from the custodian. Specific arrangements are described in our Form ADV and client agreement.
Related: Form ADV
24) How do I see my account information?
Clients typically have direct access through the custodian’s platform and receive custodial statements. Reporting and coordination tools may also be used depending on the relationship.
Tax-Aware Planning and Coordination
25) Do you provide tax advice or prepare tax returns?
We do not prepare tax returns and do not provide legal advice. We do provide tax-aware planning coordination—helping clients evaluate trade-offs and collaborating with tax professionals where appropriate.
Related: Tax Planning
26) What does “tax-aware investing” mean?
It typically includes coordinating investment decisions with tax considerations—such as asset location, tax-loss harvesting where appropriate, managing capital gains exposure, and aligning withdrawals with broader planning.
Related: Tax Planning · Investment Planning
Getting Started
27) What happens in the introductory conversation?
We discuss your goals, financial complexity, what you’re looking for in an advisory relationship, and whether there’s a mutual fit. If it makes sense to proceed, we outline next steps and what information we would need.
Related: Request an Introductory Conversation
28) What information should I have ready?
A helpful starting point is a high-level view of accounts, approximate income/expenses, tax situation, major goals, and any planning documents you already have (estate documents, insurance summaries, equity compensation details, etc.). We’ll guide you on what’s needed based on your circumstances.
29) How do we begin if we decide to move forward?
We provide a written agreement describing scope and fees. We then begin the onboarding process, gather data, confirm priorities, and build a coordinated plan and implementation approach.
Related: Connect
Disclosures and Important Notes
30) Where can I read more details about your services and fees?
Our Form ADV provides additional information about services, fees, and related disclosures. It’s available via the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website.
Still have questions?
If you’d like to discuss whether Beacon Hill Private Wealth is a fit for your needs, we invite you to request an introductory conversation.
Request an Introductory Conversation
Information on this page is provided for general informational purposes. Advisory services are provided only pursuant to a written agreement. For additional details, please review our Form ADV.