Firm Description
Vantage is an Investment Adviser providing discretionary and non-discretionary investment advisory
services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, and trusts. Vantage
was founded in 1989.
Principal Owners
Vantage is owned by Michael R. Rohrwasser, President and Founder.
Types of Advisory Services
Vantage offers the following types of advisory services: Financial planning services, discretionary and
non-discretionary investment advisory services and retirement plan consulting services.
Investment Advisory Services
Vantage provides investment advisory services to its clients on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis
based on the scope of services as elected by the client. The investment advisory services may include,
among other things, providing advice regarding asset allocation and the selection of investments based
on the individual needs of the client. Through personal discussions, Vantage assists the client in
developing their personal investment strategy based upon the client’s goals, objectives, investment time
horizon and risk tolerance, as well as their core financial-related values.
Vantage allocates client assets among several asset classes and sectors (i.e. domestic stocks and/or
foreign stocks; large cap stocks and/or small cap stocks; corporate bonds and/or government securities)
for most client portfolios. In some instances, independent investment managers (“Independent
Managers”) are utilized. The actual asset classes as well as specific asset allocations to be utilized are at
the discretion of Vantage when Vantage is engaged by a client on a discretionary basis. Vantage employs
both proprietary and non-proprietary models as well as third-party forecasts to assist it in the
construction of such portfolios. A portfolio will be updated/re-balanced on a quarterly, semi-annual, or
annual basis, or as needed depending upon a client’s circumstances.
Vantage may further recommend to clients that all or a portion of their investment portfolio be managed
on a discretionary basis by one or more unaffiliated Independent Managers. The client may be required to
enter into a separate agreement with the Independent Manager(s), which will set forth the terms and
conditions of the client’s engagement of the Independent Manager. Vantage generally renders service to
the client relative to the discretionary selection of the Independent Managers. Vantage also assists in
establishing the client’s investment objectives for the assets managed by the Independent Managers,
monitors and reviews the account performance and defines any restrictions on the account. The
investment management fees charged by the designated Independent Managers, together with the fees
charged for the corresponding designated broker-dealer/custodian of the client’s assets, are exclusive of,
and in addition to, the annual advisory fee charged by Vantage.
Typically, portfolios under $500,000 are managed in the Vantage Model strategy which utilizes a model
strategy based on investment objective and account balance. These portfolios are generally re-balanced
twice per year but changes will be based on market, economic and/or other conditions.
Financial Planning Services
Vantage offers different levels of financial planning services. A free initial consultation may be provided to
potential clients. Financial planning services are charged as a flat fee each year. After the initial year,
clients who have at least $500,000 assets under management with Vantage will be eligible for the
discount rate. Some clients may be charged different fees and / or have the minimum fee requirement
waived. Vantage also provides services on an hourly basis.
Financial planning services include the collection of client data and will include some or all the following
analysis within a plan depending on needs, applicability, and service selection. In certain situations, a
client may elect to subscribe to an account aggregation service to provide constant transactional and
balance detail on outside accounts. Timely receipt of accurate and complete client data is essential to the
completion of these reports and lack thereof will have an impact on the deliverables provided. Each plan
includes a minimum of one meeting per year which is available to but not required of the client. Meetings
will be in person, by telephone or via internet meeting service.
Executive Advantage - The Executive Advantage plan typically includes a net worth statement, an
extended cash flow review, financial goals list, insurance needs analysis, income tax planning, investment
portfolio analysis, education funding, retirement planning, extensive estate planning analysis and when
applicable, review and analysis of stock options, deferred compensation, and non-qualified corporate
benefit plans. Analysis for employment transition, expatriate considerations, pension timing optimization
and distribution election review can be requested and may incur additional hourly charges.
Planning Advantage – This plan typically includes a net worth statement, cash flow review, financial
goals list, insurance needs analysis, income tax planning report and investment portfolio analysis.
Retirement, education funding and estate planning is considered in the financial plan.
Planning Advantage II - This plan replicates the Planning Advantage service level however the financial
plan review is conducted every other year. Clients with assets under management will meet to review
investment assets every other year alternatively to the financial planning cycle. Existing clients who elect
to transition to this plan from a different plan model will
begin the alternations with an investment review.
Services for Retirement Plans
Discretionary Investment Advisory Services to Plans
When serving in a discretionary investment advisory capacity for a Plan, Vantage is in the status defined
by section 3(38) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). As a discretionary
investment advisor to qualified retirement plans (“Plans”) Vantage assumes the fiduciary responsibility for
the selection, monitoring, and replacement of the investment options of the Plan. As an initial action step,
Vantage seeks to obtain the investment policy statement for the Plan that details the methodologies and
criteria utilized to define the style universe of investment options, the specific investment options to be
utilized and the ongoing criteria for monitoring and replacing investment options. If the Plan does not
have an investment policy statement Vantage may assist the Plan sponsor/trustees of the Plan in drafting
an investment policy statement. In instances where an investment policy statement is not available,
Vantage will collect information from the Plan sponsor/trustees determined necessary for Vantage’s
provision of services to the Plan.
In its role as a 3(38) fiduciary, Vantage is only responsible for those Plan investments selected by Vantage
and Vantage has no responsibility for any other Plan investments maintained in the Plan by direction of
the Plan sponsor/trustees or any other person or entity. As an example, employer securities and
investments held in a directed brokerage account are not subject to any fiduciary responsibility or duty on
the part of Vantage. Furthermore, the Plan sponsor/trustees should be aware that when Vantage
assumes the investment responsibilities by serving as a 3(38) fiduciary, the Plan sponsor/trustees retain
all of their fiduciary duties, obligations and responsibilities pursuant to applicable law.
Non-Discretionary Investment Advisory Services to Plans
When serving in a non-discretionary investment advisory capacity for a Plan, Vantage is in the status
defined by section 3(21) of ERISA. In this capacity, Vantage assumes no fiduciary responsibility for the
completion of an investment policy statement, or any aspect of the definition, selection, maintenance, or
replacement of any Plan investment options. In this non-discretionary role Vantage provides information
to the Plan sponsor/trustees regarding investment option style parameters and performance reporting.
The Plan sponsor/trustees exercise full authority over the selection of Plan investment options and may,
or may not, utilize the information provided by Vantage as part of their decision-making process.
Other Services for Plans
As part of providing the discretionary or non-discretionary investment services to Plans, Vantage may
provide certain information and services to the Plan and the Plan sponsor/trustees. These other services
are designed to assist the Plan sponsor/trustees in meeting their management and fiduciary obligations
to the Plan. The other services may consist of the following:
o Assist with platform provider search and Plan set-up;
o Plan review;
o Plan fee and cost review;
o Plan participant education and communication;
o Assist with Plan conversion to new vendor platform; and
o Assistance in Plan merger.
Additional Information Regarding ERISA Plans and Individual Retirement Accounts
As detailed above, Vantage is a fiduciary under ERISA with respect to investment management services
and investment advice provided to ERISA plan clients, including ERISA plan participants. Vantage is also a
fiduciary under the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”) with respect to investment management services
and investment advice provided to ERISA plans, ERISA plan participants, individual retirement accounts
and individual retirement account owners (collectively “Retirement Account Clients”). As such, Vantage is
subject to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the IRC, that include, among other things,
prohibited transaction rules which are intended to prohibit fiduciaries from acting on conflicts of interest.
When a fiduciary gives advice in which it has a conflict of interest, the fiduciary must either avoid or
eliminate the conflict or rely upon a prohibited transaction exemption (a “PTE”).
Tailored Relationships
Vantage tailors investment advisory services to the known individual needs of the client. The client’s
stated goals and objectives are discussed and reviewed. An Investment Policy Statement (IPS) addendum
identifies the client’s selection of investment strategy and objective for each account. Vantage clients can
impose limited restrictions on the investments in their account within reason and with prior approval. All
limitations and restrictions placed on accounts, and changes thereafter, must be requested in writing and
may not be effective immediately.
Wrap Fee Programs
Vantage sponsors and manages accounts through its own Vantage Financial Partners Limited, Inc. Wrap
Fee Program. All
investment
management is
provided within
this program.
Information on this
program is
available in the
Vantage Financial
Partners Limited,
Inc. Wrap Program
Brochure which is
provided to clients when investment advisory services are requested. A copy of this brochure is available
upon requests made to Andy Warning, Chief Compliance officer at
andy.warning@dinsmorecomplianceservices.com.
Client Assets
As of December 31, 2023, Vantage manages approximately $572,432,624 in assets. Approximately
$569,394,471 is managed on a discretionary basis, and $3,038,153 is managed on a non-discretionary
basis.