The Bernie Madoff scandal might not have been so devastating had there been fiduciary laws in place calling for third party custodians to act as verification. So says Suzanne Wheeler, co-founder of Adams Hall Wealth Advisors (AHWA), based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But while future legislation of this nature might leave many firms scrambling, AHWA would seamlessly welcome this kind of shift – watching the playing field level around them.

“We think everyone should be held to the same fiduciary standard that we currently use,” Wheeler emphasized.

Employing a high standard leaves AHWA in a position to act more independently. “This allows us to access unlimited solutions without compromising our allegiance to you.”

The firm ties all of the advice it gives together, creating a financial synergy unique to each client. Whether retirement planning, investments, managing the family business, paying for college or estate planning, the nitty gritty of portfolio management serves as background to what’s initiated at the outset. Finely attuned to achieving the goals of clients, Wheeler said, “We need to demonstrate that we are adding value and that the client sees that value.” 

This means maintaining consistent communication with clients – especially if results go awry. Regarding getting spending in line, modifying goals or upping the risk tolerance of conservative investors, Wheeler notes, “We hit that situation head on.”

Of course, all the talk in the world can’t keep changing tax laws from throwing a monkey wrench into those results. As the Baby Boomers hit retirement, AHWA understands that dividend investments can’t be discounted – even if Congress continually erodes the returns. “I think we have to be more strategic, because people are still going to have to live off these,” says Wheeler.

The same flexibility applies to staying abreast of new or alternative approaches – and that matters beyond the success of their client base. Always room for improvement, she believes the industry must continually provide better offerings for investors or America will fall back.

Wheeler obviously welcomes this challenge.

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