FAQ on Triton Financial

A financial planner is someone who helps their clients meet their financial goals. They do this by taking a holistic approach, looking at all aspects of their financial position. They analyze the client’s goals, risk tolerance, stage of life and other factors that can contribute to their financial situation.

Financial planners typically work in a variety of different areas. They have a broad-based perspective because their work is more comprehensive. They have expertise in a lot of different areas from retirement planning to managing risks. Financial planners also work with individuals who have assets and would like advice on what to do with those assets.

A certified financial planner has met extensive training and experience requirements as outlined by the CFP board. They commit to ethical standards and requires to put their clients’ interests first. Only those financial planners who have fulfilled the certification requirements of the CFP Board can display the CFP® certification mark, which represents a high level of competency, ethics and professionalism.

CFP® professionals offer comprehensive financial planning to their clients. This personalized approach brings all the pieces of your financial life together. As part of the CFP® certification, CFP® professionals also have made a commitment to CFP Board to act as a fiduciary when providing financial advice to a client. This means they have agreed to put your best interests first, so they can provide you confidence today and a secure tomorrow.

Registered investment advisors (RIAs) manage the assets of individuals, businesses and institutional investors. The SEC regulates investment advisers who manage $110 million or more in client assets, where individual states regulate investment advisors with less than $110 million under management.

fiduciary is generally defined as an individual or entity that:

  • Acts on behalf of another person or persons to serve their best interest.
  • Holds themselves to be an expert, by education and experience, in a particular field of study or specialty.
  • Is obligated under the law to serve the best interest of their clients (beneficiaries) and to avoid conflicts of interest.
  • No one is held to a higher standard of care under the law than a fiduciary.

Fee-based financial planners are paid by the client to perform financial planning related functions. They may receive additional compensation from investment management services and offering insurance products. This compensation may be paid directly by the client in the form of a fee or via other sources, such as commissions from financial products that clients purchase. As a fee-based advisor, our Form ADV filing contains information that spells out how we are compensated. Even as a fee-based financial planner, we function as a fiduciary putting our clients’ best interests first.

Our investment philosophy begins with the belief that comprehensive financial planning is cornerstone upon which a client’s financial house is built. the only solution that can provide our clients with sound, definitive wealth management they require. When it comes to designing an investment portfolio and making specific recommendations, we believe that the purpose of a client’s investment portfolio is to achieve their financial goals. We ensure that each client’s portfolio is:

  • Diversified and well-balanced
  • Low turnover and tax efficient
  • Cost minimization 
  • Designed to achieve their financial objectives
  • Aligned with their risk tolerance

Triton Financial primarily uses Charles Schwab as the custodian for our client’s investment accounts.

Yes. Triton Financial is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.

Financial Focus

Bob Gustafson, Triton Financial Group

Listen to Bob live on his weekly radio show every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on WCRN AM 830.

Or listen to excerpts from the show here on the Financial Focus blog.

Subscribe to the Financial Fridays Podcast for financial education in less than 10 minutes.

Financial Focus Blog

Balance Saving for Your Child's Education and Retirement
How Young People Can Build Wealth 
Essential Tips to Become Financially Independent
Living Trust vs. Irrevocable Trust vs. Will: Pros and Cons
HELOC or Home Equity Loan - What's the Difference?
4 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes
Tips to Help Your Savings Last Through Retirement
Roth IRA Conversion: Is It Right for You?