Traditional Investments &
Investment Counsellor Referral Program

Chris Singer and Jay Brecknell are registered to provide investment advice through Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI). This advice can be through Traditional Investments or our Investment Counsellor Referral Program. Please find more information below:

Investment Counsellor Referral Program

We assist professionals and business owners by utilizing a needs based financial planning process. We simplify and coordinate their unique financial needs to provide clarity, transparency and accountability for investment performance. Frequently we will refer clients to Investment Counsellors or Private Client Money Managers for their portfolio management needs. Thus we become the client’s investment advocate and help hold the Investment Counsellor accountable.

What is private client wealth management?

An Investment Counsellor, Portfolio Manager, Institutional Investment Manager or Private Client Money Manager makes discretionary investment decisions for your assets based upon established goals and constraints. Typically, it is more personalized, better quality advice than is available through a broker, bank, or investment fund, but at less cost. However, unlike Stock Brokers and Investment Fund Companies, Investment Counsellors usually have a minimum account size that they will accept. Today these minimums are as low as $250,000.

Why consider an Investment Counsellor instead of a Broker for investment decisions?

Investment Counsellors charge a fee and don’t charge a commission every time there is a transaction. Therefore, their interests are aligned with the client’s long-term goals instead of being motivated to create a lot of activity. In addition, hidden commission such as strip bond spreads can cost clients without them even being aware. Independence is also an important consideration. Underwriting and Investment Banking bias has plagued the brokerage industry for years. Even supposed “independent” brokerages can’t offer many investments if not supported or approved by their head office. In addition, these Investment Counsellors are typically smaller boutiques to larger pension style managers. As such, one receives conservative Portfolio Management similar to a pension fund but with personalized service.

Why consider an Investment Counsellor instead of an Investment Fund?

There are 7 major differences between Investment Funds and Investment Counsellors:

1. Transparency

All fees are fully disclosed and the mechanics and relationships between all parties are easy to see. It’s not a closed box; it’s an open book.

2. Direct Ownership

You own the individual securities directly. Through a custodian such as National Bank, the stocks, bonds and cash are held for you. The Investment Counsellor merely has your permission to buy and sell in the account.

3. Lower Fees

Investment Funds average 2.5%. Investment Counsellor fees average about 1% lower. A $250,000 account over 20 years earning 8% will yield $1,165,000 whereas at 7% you are left with only $967,000.

4. Deductibility of Fees

In non-registered portfolios the fees you pay are deductible on your tax return, further reducing the cost.

5. Enhanced Tax-Efficiency

Gains and Losses are individualized and offset against each other minimizing the reporting for tax in non-registered accounts. In addition, an Investment Fund’s investor could inherit some gains from the fund and pay the tax on it, but not even be an investor at the time of earning gains and enjoy the increase in the investment.

6. Enhanced Reporting

Easier to understand statements means a better understanding of exactly what you own. You are able to see the stocks and bonds that you own. You will also see the dividends and interest you are earning.

7. Personalization

If one has particular needs where certain investments are to be avoided because of “conflict of interest” or ethical investing preferences, these are easily accounted for in the Investment Policy Statement of the Investment Counselor.

Traditional Investments

We offer clients a variety of investment products, depending on what is best-suited to their individual circumstances and investment plan. Examples of these include:
  • Securities
  • Bonds
  • Mutual Funds
  • GICs
  • ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds)

Investment products are provided by Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI). ACPI is regulated by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (www.iiroc.ca) and Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (www.cipf.ca). All non-securities related business conducted by Cedar Rock Financial is not offered protection (within limits) by the CIPF.

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