Business Details
10 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Financial Advisory Services in Royal Oak, MI
The Financial Planning Company is a fiduciary, fee-only registered investment advisory firm founded in 2016 by Brewster Smith. We specialize in evidence-based investment strategies rooted in Nobel Prize-winning research, prioritizing client interests through transparent, low-cost solutions. Our team delivers personalized financial planning and portfolio management tailored to individuals, families, and 401(k) plans. We utilize globally diversified portfolios with exposure to small, profitable, and value-driven companies while emphasizing tax efficiency and long-term growth. Our commitment to fiduciary standards ensures clients receive unbiased advice, avoiding conflicts of interest associated with commission-based models. With offices in Royal Oak, Michigan, and San Diego, California, we serve clients nationwide through a blend of expertise and cutting-edge fintech tools.Our principals bring decades of global finance experience, having worked at institutions like UBS, FIG Partners, and Southern Cross Equities. We focus on minimizing fees, maximizing risk-adjusted returns, and fostering financial literacy within the Metro Detroit community. Our youthful, dedicated staff ensures continuity and innovation in addressing evolving financial landscapes, including tax law changes and retirement planning strategies. By combining disciplined investment methodologies with personalized service, we aim to provide clients with financial clarity and peace of mind.
Services
Investment Management
Financial Planning
Tax Efficient Asset Placement
Retirement Planning
Estate Planning
College Education Planning
Special Needs Planning
Portfolio Rebalancing
Tax Loss Harvesting
Wealth Building
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We are a fiduciary bound by law to act in your best interest
- Our investment strategies are based on Nobel Prize-winning research
- We exclusively use low-cost fund families like Vanguard and Dimensional Fund Advisors
- 100% fee-only compensation structure with no hidden commissions
- Decades of combined experience from principals with global finance backgrounds
Associations and certifications
- Registered Investment Advisor (RIA)
Services
Investment Management
Our evidence-based investment management utilizes Nobel Prize-winning research to create globally diversified, low-cost portfolios. We focus on small, profitable, and value-driven companies while implementing tax-efficient strategies like quarterly rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting. This approach minimizes turnover and trading costs while optimizing long-term growth potential for individuals and families.
Financial Planning
Comprehensive financial planning services address retirement, estate, college education, and special needs planning. We help clients define goals, create investment strategies, and implement actionable plans tailored to their unique circumstances. Our fiduciary approach ensures all recommendations prioritize client financial security and long-term stability.
Tax Efficient Asset Placement
We strategically allocate assets across taxable and non-taxable accounts to maximize after-tax returns. This includes tax-loss harvesting, minimizing 12b-1 fees, and implementing low-turnover strategies. Our approach reduces tax liabilities while maintaining portfolio diversification and alignment with long-term financial objectives.
Retirement Planning
Specialized retirement planning services navigate complex rules like social security optimization and tax law changes. We develop personalized strategies to ensure sustainable income streams while addressing healthcare costs, estate considerations, and legacy planning through systematic, evidence-based approaches.
Portfolio Rebalancing
Quarterly portfolio rebalancing maintains strategic asset allocation using systematic, research-driven methodologies. This process ensures portfolio stability, minimizes tax implications, and adapts to market changes while maintaining exposure to diversified asset classes across global markets.
People
Brewster Smith
President
President and founder with over a decade of global finance experience from institutions like UBS and FIG Partners. Graduated from Albion College's Gerstacker School of Business. Specializes in evidence-based investing and fiduciary advisory services.
Carr Cavender
Consultant
Wealth management consultant directing family office impact investments. Completed Wharton's Private Wealth Management Program. Focuses on asset allocation, private equity analysis, and hedge fund manager evaluation with expertise in fiduciary investment strategies.
Questions
What makes you different from other financial advisors?
We are a fiduciary, fee-only advisor legally obligated to prioritize client interests. Unlike commission-based models, we avoid conflicts of interest and use Nobel Prize-winning research for low-cost, evidence-based investing.
What investment approach do you use?
Our evidence-based approach follows Nobel Prize-winning research, focusing on globally diversified portfolios with small, profitable, and value-driven companies while emphasizing tax efficiency and systematic rebalancing.
Do you offer financial planning services?
Yes, we provide comprehensive financial planning including retirement, estate, college education, and special needs planning for all investment management clients.
How are your fees structured?
We operate a 100% fee-only structure with no commissions, 12b-1 fees, or hidden costs. Clients pay directly for services without third-party compensation influencing investment decisions.
Where are you located and who do you serve?
Headquartered in Royal Oak, Michigan, we serve clients locally and nationwide through virtual consultations, combining personal service with fintech convenience.
Reviews (7)
Paige Spearin
Dec 31, 2021
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Brewster has helped me with my 401k planning for over 13 years. He is great to work with and an expert in his field. He made my 1 year old son a portfolio of stocks for his 1st birthday and I can't imagine a more special gift!
Jennifer Birmingham
Dec 17, 2019
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I could not be more pleased with the financial planning advice that I've received from Brewster! He is a fiduciary, fee-only, Certified Financial Planner, and I feel very comfortable to have my assets in his care. Not to mention he is professional, polite, and a Cranbrook Kingswood grad! The firm's Bloomfield Hills office is very convenient for me. He is patient with my financial questions and I'm happy with him as an investment advisor and financial planner! kudos
Ian Sherk
Sep 26, 2018
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I have been very happy with a 32% increase in my assets under management in the past 16 months. They clearly laid out the risks involved in my investment management choices & I picked a financial plan that worked for me.
Bruce
Aug 26, 2018
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Way more than an investment advisor indeed. I am beyond pleased with Brewster's help as my investment fiduciary. Since hiring his investment firm to help invest assets I recently acquired, I feel such a sense of relief that he is watching my back and making sure I don't do anything financial stupid. He recently helped my husband and me with mortgage advice, and last year he did a thorough job weighing the pros vs cons of financing vs leasing a car. I loved his analysis and how clearly he wrapped everything up at the end. Kudos, I think the best investment advice I've even received. I haven
Robin Smith
Nov 29, 2017
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Brewster has been my fiduciary for over three years and has done an excellent job investing and managing my personal finances while helping me to have a clear understanding of his investment strategy. Brewster is extremely trustworthy and knowledgable in his execution of my financial plan and its tax implications. His fees are refreshingly affordable after years of large institutional advice! Highly recommend The Financial Planning Company. Win win win!
Byron Shecter
Nov 06, 2017
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Brewster has done a great job helping me get my financial life in order. Had accounts all over the place and I'm happy with his work! Feel like we have a good game plan through up and down markets. Excited for the future!
Peterson Cullimore
Sep 11, 2017
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Brewster has exceeded my expectations as a Fiduciary. Primarily focusing on my retirement, he has added a contemporary approach grounded in statistics to addressing my goals.
