Discover the answers to all your pressing questions in our financial advisor FAQ.

 

As NAPFA members, we prioritize your financial success and provide transparent, professional guidance tailored to your needs. Explore our FAQ to find out more about our credentials, services, and how we can assist you in achieving your financial goals. Start your journey with Sullivan Mermel, Inc. today.

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Q: Most financial advisor sites sound the same.  How are you different?

A: First, we're truly comprehensive. We do actual tax planning. Most firms stop at something like "Roth IRAs are good."They don't help you income smooth before retirement to help you pay the least amount of tax each year. What we do is customized to your situation.

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If you're paid with with equity compensation, few advisors will help you figure out when to sell and when to hold based on investment and tax advice. We will.

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Second, we want to understand what you value most so that our advice makes you happier and helps you find more meaning in your life. 

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Q:  What is your educational background?

 

A:  Every advisor at Sullivan Mermel, Inc has a different educational background. 

All advisors have at least a bachelor’s degree.  On the About Us page, we detail all of our degrees.

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Q:  What are your financial planning credentials/ designations and affiliations?

 

A:  All advisors have slightly different designations, but here are Bridget’s:

• NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor

• Certified Financial Planner (CFP®)

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

 

Q:  How long have you been offering financial planning services?

 

A:  Since January 2008.

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Q:  Have you ever been cited by a professional or regulatory governing body for disciplinary reasons?

 

A:  No.

 

Q:  How many clients do you work with?

 

A:  As of 2025: 48

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Q:  Will you or an associate of yours work with me?

 

A:  We work as a team.

Q:  Will you sign a Fiduciary Oath?

 

A:  Yes

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Q:  How is your firm compensated and how is your compensation calculated?

 

A:  Fee-Only (as opposed to other types of compensation:  Commissions Only, Fee and Commissions (Fee-Based). Compensation is calculated based on marketable net worth, income, and the complexity of your situation.

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Q:  Do you have a minimum fee?

 

A:  The minimum fee for our Retainer is $6,000.  Most fees are higher.

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Q:  Does any member of your firm act as a general partner, participate in, or receive compensation from investments you may recommend to me?

 

A:  No.

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Q:  Do you receive referral fees from attorney, accountants, insurance professionals, mortgage brokers, or others?

 

A:  No.

 

Q:  Do you receive on-going income from any mutual funds that you recommend in the form of 12b(1) fees, trailing commissions, or other continuing payouts?

 

A:  No.

 

Q:  Are there financial incentives for you to recommend certain financial products?

 

A:  No.

 

Q:  Do you offer advice on:

• Goal setting

• Cash management and budgeting

• Tax planning

• Investment review and planning

• Estate planning

• Insurance needs

• Education funding

• Retirement planning

• Other

 

A:  All of the above. Plus real estate analysis, social security planning, and equity compensation.

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Q:  Do you provide a comprehensive written analysis of my financial situation and recommendations?

 

A:  Our style is to go over our recommendations and give you handouts that you can refer to after you leave.  We don’t create voluminous financial plans that sit on your shelf, unopened.

 

Q: Does your financial planning service include recommendations for specific investments or investment products?

 

A:  Yes.

 

Q: Do you offer assistance with implementation of the recommendations?

 

A:  Yes.

 

Q:  Do you offer continuous, on-going advice regarding my financial affairs, including advice on non-investment related financial issues?

 

A:  Yes.

 

Q:  Do you take custody of, or have access to my assets? if you were to provide me on-going investment advisory services, do you require “discretionary” trading authority over my investment account?

 

A:  We do not custody client assets, but do work with Charles Schwab & Co.  If you have accounts at Schwab, with your permission, we can “see” your information.  If you authorize us to place specific trades, we will.  We want you to understand every decision, so we don’t offer “discretionary” trading authority.