Professor Money Bear
Planning for retirement need not feel overwhelming.
Scholar Financial, LLC
Our #1 goal at Scholar Financial, LLC is to reduce your stress as you plan for a future retirement, or when you are in retirement.
The firm currently serves about 25 family groups and provides investment advice on approximately $49 million of financial assets (as of May 1, 2024).
Our Services and Fees
Under our main advisory program for individual clients, which includes financial planning and portfolio management, our annual fees are a low 0.5% of the assets upon which we provide advice for the first $2,000,000, and 0.15% assets over $2,000,000. Fees are billed in quarterly installments.
Examples:
- If the combined “assets under management” (AUM) and “assets under advisement” (AUM) are $1,000,000, the quarterly fee is $1,250, which is equal to an annual fee of $5,000, and which is equivalent to 0.50% annual percentage fee.
- $3,000,000 of AUM/AUA: $11,500 annual fee, equivalent to 03834% annual percentage fee.
- $10,000,000 of AUM/AUA:$22,000 annual fee, equivalent to a 0.22% annual percentage fee.
See our Form ADV, Part 2A for a fuller explanation of our services and fees.
About Dr. Rhoades
Ron A. Rhoades, JD, CFP® serves as the Director of the Personal Financial Planning program and as an Associate Professor of Finance at Western Kentucky University (WKU). Dr. Rhoades has been recognized as a “Thought Leader” and as a national authority on the fiduciary standard of conduct. He is a volunteer member of the Ethics Standard Review Commission for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., and he serves as Chair of the Practice Standards Subcommittee. Ron has received several awards and recognition for his advocacy work in support of the fiduciary standard of conduct for financial advisors. Dr. Rhoades also received Western Kentucky University’s “Excellence in Teaching Award” among all full-time faculty in 2024.
Learn more here.
Ron’s Investment Philosophy
Ron utilizes “evidence-based investing,” which employs low-cost, tax-efficient mutual funds and ETFs, and highly-rated fixed income securities, in a strategic asset allocation designed for each client. For more about evidence-based investing, please refer to this summary in Ron’s May 2024 newsletter.
Ron’s latest investment book, Mastering the Science and Art of Investing: Multi-Factor Strategies for Portfolios Both Prior to and During Retirement, is due to be published later in 2024.
Types of Clients Served
Dr. Rhoades offers his services to the following select types of clients. (All minimums are subject to waiver in Ron’s discretion.)
01
Retirees
Individuals and couples who are within a few years retirement or who are already in retirement, and who possess $1,000,000 or greater in financial assets.
02
Executives
Corporate executives with ongoing planning needs, from career and life planning, to executive compensation and equity ownership issues, who possess $1,000,000 or greater in financial assets.
03
Trustees
Trustees and other fiduciaries charged with management of assets under the stringent requirements of the prudent investor rule. Fees are 0.4% on first $2m, 0.15% assets above $2m. Minimum investment assets of $1,000,000.
04
Consultations
Dr. Rhoades also provides consulting services to other financial and investment firms regarding due diligence on pooled investment vehicles, multi-factor investment strategies, adherence to fiduciary standards, and strategic planning. Please refer to the “For Prospective Clients” page of this web site, and review Form ADV, Part 2A.
05
Speaking Engagements
Dr. Rhoades also provides occasional presentations at professional conferences and to larger firm meetings. Please refer to the “Speaking” page of this web site.