Item 5 Fees and Compensation
Fees for Financial Planning are generally quoted on a fixed fee basis, depending upon the
nature, complexity of services, and the staff members utilized. The proposed Financial
Planning fees are determined at the time of engagement and clearly outlined in your Client
Agreement. Buckingham Financial Group may request a retainer equal to ½ the total fee,
payable upon engagement, with the balance due upon the delivery of the Plan or through
ongoing monthly payments. Fixed fees are determined by estimating the hours required
times the hourly rate of various personnel involved. Current hourly rates are as follows:
Financial Planners $200 - $350 per hour
Paraplanners $ 100 - $150 per hour
Administration $ 45 - $ 90 per hour
If your circumstances or objectives change such that a new investment assessment and/or
plan are required, there may be an additional charge based upon our hourly fees.
You may terminate the Financial Planning Agreement within 5 business days of signature.
After the 5-day period, you may terminate the Agreement upon written notice. You will be
invoiced for any time incurred by us prior to termination at our hourly rate, depending upon
the complexity of services and at the discretion of the Advisor. Otherwise, Financial Planning
Services terminate upon delivery of the advice or Plan, depending upon the nature of the
engagement for services.
Consulting Fees
In addition to fee-based Financial Planning Services, Buckingham Financial Group provides
investment advice through individualized Consultations on a flat fee basis. Investment
Advisory Consultations can be general in nature or focused on particular areas of interest,
depending upon your needs.
Fees for General Consultations begin at $300, depending upon the nature and complexity of
services or as otherwise determined at the discretion of the Adviser. Fees are agreed to at
the time of engagement and the fee is clearly outlined in Client Agreement.
For larger, more time-intensive projects, we may request a retainer equal to ½ of the
proposed project fee with the balance payable upon the delivery of services. Otherwise, fees
for Consultations are due and payable upon delivery of the services or through ongoing
monthly payments.
Consultation services may be immediately terminated upon written notice by either party, the
Client may be invoiced for time incurred. The decision to invoice is at the discretion of the
Advisor.
Limited Negotiability of Advisory Fees: Although we have established the hourly rates, we
retain the discretion to negotiate fees on a client-by-client basis. Your facts, circumstances
and needs will be considered in determining the fee schedule. The specific hourly rates will
be identified in our contract.
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Discounts not generally available to our advisory clients may be offered to family members
and friends of associated persons of our firm.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Termination of the Advisory Relationship: A client agreement may be canceled at any
time, by either party, for any reason upon receipt of written notice. As disclosed above, certain
fees may be paid in advance of services provided. Upon termination of any account, any
prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly refunded, and any earned, unpaid fees will be due
and payable. In calculating a client’s reimbursement of fees, we will pro rate the
reimbursement according to the number of hours not spent on the contracted services.
Mutual Fund Fees: All fees paid to Buckingham Financial Group, Inc. for investment
advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual
funds and/or ETFs to their shareholders. These fees and expenses are described in each
fund's prospectus. These fees will generally include a management fee, other fund expenses,
and a possible distribution fee. If the fund also imposes sales charges, a client may pay an
initial or deferred sales charge. A client could invest in a mutual fund directly, without our
services. In that case, the client would not receive the services provided by our firm which are
designed, among other things, to assist the client in determining which mutual fund or funds
are most appropriate to each client's financial condition and objectives. Accordingly, the client
should review both the fees charged by the funds and our fees to fully understand the total
amount of fees to be paid by the client and to thereby evaluate the advisory services being
provided.
Additional Fees and Expenses: In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also responsible
for the fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker dealers, including,
but not limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker dealer with which an
independent investment manager effects transactions for the client's account(s). Please refer
to the "Brokerage Practices" section (Item 12) of this Brochure for additional information.
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or may
not) be available from other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or
lower fees.
Limited Prepayment of Fees: Under no circumstances do we require or solicit payment of
fees in excess of $1200 more than six months in advance of services rendered.