4a: Firm Description
Range Financial Group was established in September 2017 by Eric R. Dahm. Our main office is located in
Tigard, Oregon.
4a1: Principal Members
Eric R. Dahm, Managing Member: Mr. Dahm may be contacted by email at eric@rangefinancialgroup.com
or by telephone at 503-482-4400.
Robert Todd Fankhauser, Member: Mr. Fankhauser may be contacted by email at
todd@rangefinancialgroup.com or by telephone at 503-482-4400.
4b: Types of Advisory Services
Range Financial Group offers a variety of investment advisory services to our clients. We work with our
clients to identify their investment goals and objectives as well as risk tolerance in order to create an initial
portfolio allocation designed to complement their clients’ financial goals and objectives. We may create a
portfolio, consisting of, but not limited to individual stocks or bonds, exchange traded funds, no-load funds
and/or load-waived funds (front-end commissions will not be charged).
Each portfolio will be initially designed to meet a particular investment goal, which Range Financial Group
has determined to be suitable to our client’s circumstances. Once the appropriate portfolio has been
determined, we will review the portfolio and rebalance the account based upon our client’s individual
needs, stated goals and objectives. Range Financial Group’s strategy, generally, will be to seek to meet client
investment objectives while providing clients with access to personal advisory services.
Retirement Rollovers & Conflicts of Interest:
If we make recommendations or provide advice related to a retirement plan account or individual retirement
account, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
("ERISA") and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which are laws governing retirement accounts.
In the event we recommend a client rollover their retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by
our firm or (where applicable) recommend the purchase of a retail investment product, such a
recommendation creates a conflict of interest because we will be compensated if you follow our
recommendation.
To manage this conflict, we operate under a special ERISA rule relating to retirement assets that requires us
to act in your best interest and not put our interests ahead of yours.
Under this special rule’s provisions, we must:
• Meet a professional standard of care when making investment recommendations (give prudent
advice);
• Never put our financial interests ahead of yours when making recommendations (give loyal advice);
• Avoid misleading statements about conflicts of interest, fees, and investments;
• Follow policies and procedures designed to ensure that we give advice that is in your best interest;
• Charge no more than is reasonable for our services; and
• Give you basic information about conflicts of interest.
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While not always the case, a client or prospective client leaving an employer typically has the below four
options regarding an existing retirement plan:
1. Retain the assets in the former employer’s plan;
2. Rollover the assets to a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA;
3. Rollover the assets to the plan of a new employer; or
4. Receive a cash distribution.
Deciding which of the above options are right for you can be a complex process. For that reason, we will
discuss each option after we conduct a careful analysis. Additionally, we provide a written "Retirement
Advice Disclosure" to our clients to educate you so you can make a good decision. Please let us know if you
did not receive the above disclosure so we can provide it to you.
Some of our employees have professional designations that provide an additional level of investment
knowledge in specific areas. Examples of professional designations held by Range Financial Group
investment advisor representatives include:
1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
The CPA designation distinguishes licensed accounting professionals committed to protecting the public
interest. These professionals offer financial statement audits and other attestation services to help inform
investors about the financial health of organizations. They provide individuals and families with valuable
knowledge and advice on taxes and financial planning. In business and industry, CPAs offer organizations
around the world tax, financial reporting and advisory services to drive strategic decision-making and foster
growth and success.
To earn the CPA license, accounting professionals must have extensive education—at least 150 hours—pass a
rigorous four-part exam and meet experience requirements. They must also commit to lifelong learning and
adhere to a strict Code of Professional Conduct that requires competence, objectivity, integrity and
independence.
Further information regarding the CPA designation may be found here.
2. Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)
A CFP® is a well-qualified financial professional who uses various strategies to help clients. CFP®s often
analyze a client’s current situation and prepares a number of financial reports as part of an overall financial
plan. CFP®s may also assist with investment planning, insurance planning, estate planning, income tax
planning, and retirement planning.
While many other professional designations concentrate only on investment management, the CFP® focuses
on holistic financial planning. In addition, CFP®s stand out because they are fiduciaries, meaning they have a
duty to put clients’ best interests ahead of their own. For example, they cannot buy financial products for
clients for the sole purpose of earning high commissions.
To earn a CFP financial professionals must complete certain education and experience requirements as well
as pass a rigorous exam that is distributed by the CFP Board. The goal of this exam is to evaluate their ability
to apply financial knowledge to all type of situations.
More information related to the CFP® designation may be found here.
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3. Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA)
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with three years of on-the job experience or, if no bachelor’s
degree, five years of relevant experience. Experience has been defined as the following:
• Financial planning
• Family law
practice, or
• Experience in three or more of the following:
• Tax code
• Investment advisory or management
• Real estate, mortgage, and reverse mortgage lending
• Life and disability insurance
• Financial therapist or coach
A candidate will have to report their experience and have it approved prior to using the CDFA marks.
Experience will be submitted through the candidate’s profile and will be reviewed by IDFA staff. Divorce
Financial Planning is the application of the discipline of financial planning to settlement strategies in divorce.
The process requires the synthesis of tax, insurance, retirement, and other areas of knowledge with their
specific application to divorce. The eligibility requirements were established by the Board of Advisors and
reflect the fact that this is not an entry-level designation but an advanced program.
The examination consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have four hours to complete the
examination. Candidates must complete the examination with a passing score to receive the CDFA
designation.
CDFA candidates will study a broad range of topics regarding the financial aspects of divorce including:
• Overview of divorce laws and procedures;
• Marital vs. separate property;
• Pensions and retirement plans;
• Options for the marital home;
• Fundamentals of child and spousal support;
• Tax issues related to selling or transferring property; and
• Debt, credit, and bankruptcy.
More information relating to the CDFA designation may be found here.
4. Dave Ramsey Smartvestor Pro
To join the SmartVestor program, the pros must:
• Work for investment adviser or broker-dealer firm that are not affiliated with Ramsey
• Have at least two years of experience as a registered investing professional
• Understand Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps
• Agree to our Code of Conduct
• Participate in ongoing coaching with us to help maintain our high standards of customer service
The SmartVestor program does not provide investment advice or try to match individuals with a pro based on
your individual needs. Nor does not evaluate pros’ investing skills or performance or provide training on
investing matters.
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5. Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA)
Certified Kingdom Advisor® is a designation granted by Kingdom Advisors to individuals who have satisfied
Kingdom Advisors standards that demonstrated themselves to be:
Ability to Apply Biblical Wisdom in Financial Counsel:
By successfully completing the rigorous Certified Kingdom Advisor® coursework and examination.
Technically Competence:
By providing evidence of an approved professional designation (varying by discipline) or by having at least 10
years full-time experience in their discipline.
Ethical Practice:
By agreeing to espouse and practice the Kingdom Advisors Code of Ethics, by maintaining active local church
involvement, and by providing pastoral and client letters of reference.
Biblical Stewardship:
By pledging that they practice biblical stewardship in their personal and professional lives and by giving
regularly in proportion to their income.
CKA® Disciplines as Defined by Kingdom Advisors:
-Certified Kingdom Advisor® Financial Planner-
Financial planning is the process of determining whether and how an individual can meet life goals through
the proper management of financial resources. Financial planning integrates the financial planning process
with the financial planning subject areas outlined below by the CFP® Board of Standards
• Financial statement preparation and analysis (including cash flow analysis/planning and budgeting)
• Insurance planning and risk management
• Employee benefits planning
• Investment planning
• Income tax planning
• Retirement planning
• Estate planning
Experience Requirements: 10 years full-time experience OR one of the following professional designations:
CFP®, ChFC®, CPA/PFS (Canada: RFP, PFP, CIM, CSWP)
-Certified Kingdom Advisor® Investment Professional-
An investment professional provides professional expertise to the management of investment assets held in
retirement accounts, trusts, individual and joint accounts. This type of advisor is registered with the SEC/CSA
or State and “flat fee” paid for advice, or they are registered with a Broker Dealer and paid on a commission
basis.
Experience Requirement: 10 years full-time experience OR one of the following professional designations:
CFP®, ChFC®, CPA/PFS, CFA®, CIMA, AAMS® (Canada: RFP, PFP, CIM, CSWP)
-Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC)-
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The CRPC® designation program is designed for advisors who wish to provide more comprehensive
retirement planning advice to individual clients and families. This program enables experienced advisors, who
are focused on retirement planning for individuals, define a “road map to retirement.” There is a focus on
clients’ pre- and post-retirement needs, as well as issues related to asset management and estate planning.
Further information regarding the CRPC designation may be found here.
4c: Client Tailored Relationships and Restrictions
As a fiduciary, Range Financial Group always acts solely in your best interests. Your portfolio is customized
based on your investment objectives. You may make requests or make suggestions regarding the
investments made in your portfolio. Restrictions on trading which, in our opinion, are not in your best
interest cannot be honored and if forced may result in the termination of our agreement.
Similarly, you are under no obligation to act upon Range Financial Group's or associated person's
recommendations. If you elect to act on any of the recommendations, you are under no obligation to effect
the transaction through Range Financial Group or its associated person when the person is an agent with a
licensed broker-dealer or through any associate or affiliate of such person.
4d: Wrap Fee Program
Range Financial Group does not sponsor nor provide portfolio management services to a wrap fee program.
4e: Assets under Management (AUM)
As of December 31, 2023, Range Financial Group has $252,732,111 discretionary and $8,831,222 in non-
discretionary assets, for a total of $261,563,333 in regulatory assets under management.