Frequently Asked Questions

Fee-only means the only compensation we receive comes directly from our clients. We do not earn commissions, referral fees, or revenue from selling financial products. This eliminates common conflicts of interest and ensures our advice is always aligned with your best interests.

A fiduciary is legally obligated to act in your best interest at all times. Unlike brokers or insurance agents who may only need to recommend "suitable" products, Summit is held to the highest standard of care. Every recommendation we make must put your interests first.

There is no strict account minimum. That said, most clients who benefit from our services have investable assets of $250,000 or more. If you're unsure whether we're the right fit, we're happy to discuss your situation during a free introductory call.

Summit is a great fit for professionals, pre-retirees, and retirees who want a dedicated advisor managing their investments and guiding their financial plan. If you value working directly with a credentialed professional — rather than being one of hundreds of clients assigned to a junior advisor — we'd love to talk.

You work directly with Michael McGill, CFA, MBA — every meeting, every phone call, every portfolio decision. There are no junior advisors or support staff handling your account. You get the same person who built your financial plan managing your investments day to day.

All client assets are custodied at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., one of the largest and most trusted custodians in the country. Summit never takes possession of your funds — we simply manage them on your behalf within your Schwab accounts.

We offer investment management and comprehensive financial planning as a combined service. This includes portfolio construction and management, retirement planning, tax planning, Social Security optimization, estate planning coordination, and more. You can learn more on our Services page.

Both. Financial planning is included with our investment management service at no additional cost. We believe great investment management requires understanding your full financial picture — goals, tax situation, retirement timeline, and more.

Absolutely. Retirement planning is one of the most common reasons clients come to us. We help you determine how much you need, when you can retire, and how to structure withdrawals tax-efficiently. We also analyze Social Security claiming strategies to help you maximize your lifetime benefits.

Yes. While we don't prepare tax returns, tax planning is a core part of our financial planning process. This includes strategies like Roth conversions, tax-loss harvesting, asset location, and coordinating withdrawals across account types to minimize your lifetime tax burden.

Absolutely — and we encourage it. Coordinating with your CPA, estate attorney, or other professionals leads to better outcomes. We're happy to collaborate directly with your existing team to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Our advisory fee is 1.25% annually for accounts under $1 million and 1.00% annually for accounts of $1 million or more. Financial planning is included — there is no separate financial planning fee. Fees are billed quarterly based on the average daily balance of your account.

There are no additional advisory fees, transaction fees, or hidden charges from Summit. The investments we use (primarily low-cost ETFs and index funds) carry their own small expense ratios, which are standard across the industry and not paid to us.

Fees are billed quarterly in arrears and deducted directly from your Schwab account. You'll see a clear line item on your statement each quarter so you always know exactly what you're paying.

Our fees are competitive with other independent advisors and significantly more transparent than what you'll find at large wirehouses or broker-dealers. Unlike many firms, financial planning is included at no extra charge, and we never earn commissions or hidden revenue from product sales.

Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact page, give us a call, or send an email. We'll schedule a brief introductory call to learn about your situation and see if we're a good fit — there's no cost or obligation.

The first meeting is a casual conversation. We'll discuss your financial goals, current situation, and any questions you have. It's also your chance to see if we're someone you'd feel comfortable working with. There's no pressure and no sales pitch.

Most clients are fully up and running within one to two weeks. This includes opening or transferring accounts at Schwab, completing paperwork, and building your initial portfolio. We handle the heavy lifting so the process is as smooth as possible for you.

Yes. Transferring accounts is straightforward and typically takes one to two weeks through the ACAT (Automated Customer Account Transfer) process. We coordinate the entire transfer for you, and in most cases your investments remain fully invested throughout the move.

Yes. We offer virtual meetings via Zoom in addition to in-person meetings and phone calls. Many of our clients prefer the convenience of virtual meetings, and we're happy to work with you however is most comfortable.