Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Wealth Management Solutions
Foster & Motley is a fee-only financial planning and investment management firm that has served clients since 1997. Our team of certified financial planners, chartered financial analysts, and certified public accountants adheres to a fiduciary standard, prioritizing client interests above all else. We provide customized wealth management solutions tailored to individual financial goals, whether you're nearing retirement, managing an inheritance, or planning for future generations. Our employee-owned structure ensures long-term relationships and objective advice, free from conflicts of interest inherent in commission-based models. We maintain rigorous professional standards through continuing education and industry certifications, including CFP, CPA, and CFA designations.Our disciplined investment philosophy focuses on diversified portfolios with low costs and consistent risk-adjusted returns. Clients benefit from transparent fee structures based on assets under management, with tiered services for varying portfolio sizes. We act as a comprehensive resource for financial planning, tax strategies, estate planning, and investment decisions. Our commitment to innovation ensures clients receive modern tools for portfolio monitoring and secure file sharing. With offices in Cincinnati, we serve clients nationwide through personalized, no-obligation consultations.
Services
Financial Planning
Investment Management
Wealth Management
Tax Planning
Estate Planning
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We are a fiduciary, Registered Investment Advisor committed to your best interests.
- Our team holds multiple industry certifications including CFP, CFA, and CPA.
- We operate on a transparent, fee-only compensation model with no product commissions.
- We offer tiered service levels to accommodate varying portfolio sizes and needs.
- Our employee ownership structure ensures long-term client relationships and stability.
Associations and certifications
- CFP Board
- CFA Institute
- AICPA
What people say
Personalized strategies
Certified advisors
Transparent fees
Long-term planning
Estate expertise
Services
Financial Planning
Our financial planning service integrates all components of your financial life to create a comprehensive picture. We help clients define clear goals for retirement, education, and wealth transfer while developing strategies to achieve those objectives. The service includes cash flow analysis, tax planning, insurance assessment, and retirement income projections.
Investment Management
We develop customized investment portfolios tailored to meet specific financial needs. Our approach emphasizes broad diversification, low costs, and consistent risk-adjusted returns. We focus on income-producing assets like dividend-paying stocks and bonds while maintaining a disciplined, low-turnover investment strategy aligned with individual risk tolerance.
Estate Planning
Our estate planning service helps clients pass wealth to future generations efficiently. We collaborate with attorneys to ensure proper account titling and beneficiary designations. The service includes legacy planning strategies, charitable giving opportunities, and family wealth education to help heirs understand and manage inherited assets.
Tax Planning
We provide comprehensive tax planning services to minimize clients' tax liabilities. Our approach includes tax-efficient investment strategies, retirement account management, and coordinated planning across all aspects of financial life. We work with certified public accountants to ensure optimal tax outcomes across various scenarios.
Wealth Management
Our wealth management service combines financial planning and investment management into a comprehensive solution. We create customized plans addressing retirement readiness, education funding, business succession, and risk management. The service integrates all financial aspects to help clients achieve both immediate and long-term objectives with strategic clarity.
People
W. Mark Motley
Co-Chief Investment Officer
As founder and CFA charterholder, Mr. Motley shapes investment strategy with 25+ years of market experience. He focuses on developing disciplined portfolio approaches while maintaining fiduciary responsibility.
Zachary T. Horn
Managing Partner/President
This CFP professional leads daily operations and investment decisions. With expertise in retirement planning and executive compensation strategies, he ensures client-focused service delivery across all service tiers.
Joseph A. Patterson
Financial Planner Team Lead
As a CFP specialist, Mr. Patterson coordinates personalized planning services. He specializes in helping clients navigate life transitions through comprehensive financial strategies tailored to unique circumstances.
Lucas P. Hail
Financial Planner
This CFP professional focuses on helping clients achieve meaningful life goals through financial planning. He emphasizes client education and clear communication about investment decisions and wealth management strategies.
Zach T. Binzer
Financial Planner
A CFP specialist concentrating on wealth transfer strategies and tax-efficient planning. He helps clients create sustainable financial plans that align with personal values and long-term objectives.
Questions
What sets Foster & Motley apart from other financial advisors?
We are a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor held to a fiduciary standard, with team members holding prestigious certifications including CFP, CFA, and CPA designations.
How do you structure your investment management fees?
Fees are based on assets under management with three tiers: 1% annually for Essential clients under $1M, decreasing for Prime ($1-5M) and Legacy (over $5M) tiers.
What services do you offer for retirement planning?
We provide comprehensive retirement planning including income projections, tax strategies, and portfolio management tailored to ensure financial security throughout retirement years.
Can you help business owners with transition planning?
Yes, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs develop strategic plans for business exit, wealth diversification, and succession strategies that align with personal financial objectives.
Do you offer services for institutional investors?
We provide investment advisory services for endowments, foundations, and other institutions, applying the same disciplined investment process used for individual clients.
How does your firm approach continuing education?
We invest significantly in professional development, requiring all advisors to maintain certifications and pursue ongoing education to stay at the forefront of financial planning practices.
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Reviews (2)
Tony
Jun 19, 2017
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I have been with Foster and Motley for about two years now, and l am extremely pleased. I have had my investments with two other firms in the past and there is no comparison. The service and strategic planning is excellent. They do a wonderful job of sticking with the financial goals that we have set up for my family. I work with Dave and Brad and they don't always tell me what I want to hear. They focus on sticking with the goals we set up to help my family reach our financial goals.
Walter Cordes
Jun 27, 2015
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I recently moved my assets from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney to Foster and Motley and was most impressed with how easy the move was, how friendly the staff is and how comfortable I feel. My Portfolio Manager is Zach Horn and I couldnt be more pleased with the excellent diversification and choices of investments he and the firm have made. The fees are noticeably lower than many wealth managers charge and their long & short term performance flirts with the top performing managers. When management performance is equal and similar, one has to do their due diligence and plug management fees into the
