Services & Pricing
Financial Planning Process
Our ongoing financial planning process starts by reviewing your financial life and identifying your goals. These don’t have to be restricted to monetary goals, but should also include your personal goals for your future, whether that means family, vacations, hobbies…
Our initial review covers investments, equity compensation, tax planning, cash flows, insurance, estate planning, and other financial topics that will affect the overall best strategy for achieving your goals. Maybe you have someone who depends on you financially; perhaps there is a debt that needs to be accounted for. Whatever the circumstances, we’ll address them and assess what is possible for you.
Once we know where you are now financially (net worth and income statements) and where you want to be (your goals), we’ll work with you to develop a master financial plan and help you stay on track. Your master plan is just the first step toward achieving your goals. However, personal circumstances can change over time: a new job, a move to a new state, a retirement, the birth of a family member, market conditions, tax laws, and you and your loved ones’ wants and desires are likely to affect the assumptions and goals built into your plan.
If nothing game-changing or noteworthy happens, we’ll typically schedule two meetings per year to review your portfolio and track your progress toward your goals. The first year may require more meetings as we systematically review the various aspects of your finances. Whenever your circumstances change, you’ll be able to schedule on-demand calls to reassess your situation and adjust your plan in reaction to whatever might come your way. We are dedicated to rolling with the punches and helping you tackle any changes while keeping your future in sight.
Financial Topics We Can Help With
- Building your net worth and income statements
- Identifying your goals
- Employee Benefit reviews
- Insurance reviews
- Estate document reviews
- Optimizing your cash flows/spending
- Tax Planning
- Employer stock/options (ISOs/NQSOs/RSUs)
- Deferred compensation (NQDC/DSU)
- Help with strategies during a company IPO
- Managing concentrated position risks
- Employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs)
- Assessing your risk tolerance
- Building and managing your portfolios
- IRA/Roth/401(k)/pension strategies
- Buying, selling, or refinancing real estate
- Retirement planning
- Social Security planning
- Additional Benefits of Working With Us:
- Access to a financial planning portal
- Access to portfolio-reporting software
- Custody at Schwab or Interactive Brokers
- Access to a network of vetted financial professionals (CPAs, attorneys, etc.)
- Help reviewing financial products (e.g., insurance)
Cost of service
Our service includes financial planning and investment management. The fee combines an Assets Under Management (AUM) based fee with a planning fee.
The AUM fee is calculated according to the table provided below. The planning fee depends on the complexity of your household situation. We regularly review the planning fee and adjust it up or down annually.
The all-in client fee is the maximum of the AUM fee and the planning fee. The AUM and the planning fees are not added. Only the bigger fee is charged.
The combined fee structure allows us to serve clients without large investment portfolios but with complex financial planning needs, as well as clients with bespoke investment management needs.
For example, a couple with complex planning needs and a $300,000 portfolio might have a planning fee of $7,200 and will have an annual all-in fee of $7,200. Because, in this case, the planning fee is larger than the AUM fee, $2,850, the planning fee is charged.
In another example, an executive with a $6,000 planning fee and an $800,000 portfolio will have an annual all-in fee of $7,600. In this case, the AUM fee, $7,600, is larger than the planning fee, so only the AUM fee is charged.
In yet another example, an individual with a $4,800 planning fee and a $50,000 portfolio will have an annual all-in fee of $4,800. The planning fee, $4,800, is larger than the AUM fee, $475, so the planning fee is charged.
| Client Example | Portfolio Size | AUM Fee | Planning Fee | All-In Client Fee |
| A couple with complex planning needs | $300,000 | $2,850 | $7,200 | $7,200 |
| An executive with a larger portfolio | $800,000 | $7,600 | $6,000 | $7,600 |
| An individual with a smaller portfolio | $50,000 | $475 | $4,800 | $4,800 |
The AUM Fee schedule is as follows:
| Assets Under Management | Fee |
| Below $1,000,000 | 0.95% |
| $1,000,001 – $2,000,000 | 0.85% |
| $2,000,001 – $3,000,000 | 0.75% |
| $3,000,001 – $5,000,000 | 0.65% |
| Above $5,000,000 | 0.45% – 0.55% |
Who our clients are
We work with a wide variety of clients. Some work in public companies and need help managing periodic stock grants from employers as part of their compensation. Others are founders or employees of startups who want independent advice navigating the intricacies of pre-IPO periods. Some have concentrated positions, while still others run businesses or practices and just need help beyond the vanilla 60/40 portfolio.
Whatever your situation, chances are, employer grants or concentrated positions is not the only factor affecting your overall financial life. The clients who benefit the most from our services usually have multiple financial considerations to take into account.
Whatever your financial situation, when you partner with a personal financial advisor from Gotham Block, you will get a trusted advocate who knows your unique situation inside and out. We are not being paid commissions to suggest suboptimal products or services; we will do the research needed for you to be confident you’ve considered all the options. Whether you are juggling employer stock, concentrated positions or a business, you’ll be able to enjoy the security of a dedicated financial supporter who’s always in your corner.