PASI FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Use a Financial Advisor?
Investing is a long-term commitment requiring research objective analysis, and ongoing monitoring. Emotions must be kept level and insulated from decision making, not an easy task. Many fortunes have been destroyed by decisions made in a moment of fear or an instant of fearlessness. A financial advisor is trained to make choices and adjustments with their client’s financial plan and well-being in mind. Hiring a Financial Advisor can bring peace of mind knowing you have a team of professionals dedicated to investment analysis and trading.
2. What does Professional Advisory Services, Inc. (PASI) do?
PASI is a fee-only, SEC-registered investment adviser that provides personalized portfolio management and comprehensive financial planning. We manage client portfolios on a discretionary basis, making investment decisions aligned with each client’s goals, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance.
In addition to managing investments, we help clients plan for retirement, understand tax implications, coordinate estate strategies, and evaluate cash flow needs. Our in-house research team actively monitors market conditions and portfolio holdings, and we publish a quarterly newsletter to keep clients informed.
3. Why choose PASI as my Financial Advisor?
• We act as a fiduciary at all times — legally and ethically obligated to put your interests first.
• We are an independent, second-generation managed firm with deep institutional knowledge and a commitment to long-term client relationships.
• PASI’s investment committee creates a portfolio diversification blueprint which is applied for all managed accounts, including the retirement plan for PASI employees. The investment mix is tailored to the client’s needs and financial situation by varying the percentage allocation between stocks and bonds.
• Investment decisions are made by our Investment Committee based on in-depth research and collaboration. PASI has a proven track record of investing since our inception in 1977.
4. What qualifications do PASI advisors hold?
• Our investment team includes members holding the credentials of Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®), CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP), Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM, (CRPC® ), and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC®), blending investment proficiency and rigor with holistic planning expertise. Please see the PASI “Meet the Team” page and Form ADV for employee specifics.
• Team members also have advanced degrees in finance, economics, and related fields. All advisors are salaried employees — we do not receive commissions or incentive compensation.
5. What types of clients does PASI serve?
We work with a diverse group of clients, including:
• Individuals and families, including taxable accounts, trusts, and IRAs
• Corporations and business owners, including pension, profit-sharing, and 401(k) plans
• Charitable foundations and nonprofit organizations
Although we do not have a stated required starting balance, we recommend a minimum of $500,000 to properly allocate our Portfolio holdings and ensure adequate diversification.
6. How is PASI compensated?
We charge a transparent, tiered annual fee based on the value of assets under management:
• 1.00% on the first $500,000
• 0.90% on the next $500,000
• 0.80% on the next $1,000,000
• 0.70% on the next $1,500,000
• 0.60% on the next $1,500,000
• 0.50% on amounts above $5,000,000
Fees are billed quarterly in arrears, and related accounts may be aggregated to lower your effective rate. Billing statements are sent quarterly.
We do not accept commissions, referral fees, or compensation from third parties.
Please see our Fees and Compensation Disclosure in our Form ADV Part 2A, under item 5.
7. If I invest with PASI where are my assets held?
Your assets are held by an unrelated third-party custodian, not by PASI. Our primary custodian is BNY Mellon, an established and trusted institution in the industry. You will receive independent account and tax statements produced by your custodian. Access to view your accounts is provided directly through the custodian’s online platform.
8. What is PASI’s investment philosophy?
We combine economic analysis to diversify across sectors/industries with individual security selection to implement our industry diversification strategy, investing primarily in:
• High-quality stocks — companies with an established history of consistent earnings growth, excellent management team, strong balance sheets, and long-term growth potential
• Investment-grade bonds — including (taxable) corporate bonds and tax-free municipal bonds appropriate to the account tax status and client marginal tax rates. Bond maturities are generally limited to five years, with bond maturities laddered over the five-year period.
• Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) – used at times to provide a low cost, effective way to gain exposure to a unique sector or region.
We do not invest in hedge funds, private equity, cryptocurrencies, commodities, or insurance products.
9. How often are my accounts reviewed as a PASI client?
Portfolios are monitored continuously by our investment team. Our process includes close oversight of holdings, allocations, and trading activity.
Client accounts are divided among the portfolio management team members who are responsible for the ongoing management of their respective accounts. Your dedicated portfolio manager is available to meet with you in person, virtually via videoconference, or over the telephone to review investment performance, revisit your goals, update assumptions, and make any necessary adjustments to your plan or portfolio.
10. Does PASI have any conflicts of interest?
PASI does not receive commissions, referral fees, or outside compensation. Most equity trades are routed through a Bloomberg terminal and executed by Goldman Sachs, which allows us to access a broad trading platform at a low cost.
Under an accommodation arrangement, PASI may receive trading credits when certain volume thresholds are met. These credits can offset the cost of Bloomberg Terminal access, which supports our research and trading infrastructure.
As a Registered Investment Adviser, we are held to a high standard and must put your best interests ahead of ours. Please see our Client Relationship Summary (CRS) on our website.
11. Does PASI have any disciplinary history?
PASI has had no disciplinary events since our founding in 1977.
12. Can PASI work with clients outside of Florida?
We serve clients in over 30 states, offering both in-person and virtual meetings. We use secure platforms for document sharing and communication.
13. How do I become a PASI client?
We offer prospective clients a no-obligation introductory meeting, during which we walk you through our investment strategy and if requested, create a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your situation. This is a great way to understand the PASI process and how we work. We are also happy to review your current investment structure and offer an objective critique highlighting strengths and concerns regarding your current strategy.
You can call us at (772) 778-O552 or email INF0@pa-services.com.
