Find An Advisor
TweetWant to be an index investor but need professional help? The following advisors can help clients maintain portfolios using ETFs and index funds.
To be included in this directory, advisors must offer ETFs and/or passively managed mutual funds and must be compensated directly from client fees, rather than from commissions from investment products. The list also includes financial planners who do not manage portfolios directly, but can help their clients create and implement an index strategy.
These advisors offer a wide range of services and advocate different strategies and techniques. Read the descriptions below and look for one who is a good fit with your goals and your personality. Visit each advisor’s website for more information, and always ask thorough questions before hiring any financial professional.
See the Disclaimer and Policies page for more information.
Ontario (Toronto)
PWL Capital Inc. (Toronto)
PWL Capital Inc. (Toronto)
601 – 3 Church Street
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 203-0067 or toll free 1-866-242-0203
Kathleen Clough, CIM, CFP, RFP, TEP – Portfolio Manager
Justin Bender, CFA, CFP – Associate Portfolio Manager
Shannon Dalziel, B. Comm. – Executive Assistant
Offers in-house discretionary portfolio management and holistic financial planning.
Investment philosophy: Markets are efficient, and investors cannot expect higher returns without bearing higher risk. Exposure to certain risk factors has historically been shown to compensate investors over the long term. Clients attain exposure to these risk factors through low-cost, diversified, tax-efficient ETFs (iShares, Vanguard, Claymore) and mutual funds (Dimensional Fund Advisors).
Fee structure: Clients pay 1.25% of assets under management, trending down to 1% depending on the total size of family accounts. Fee includes comprehensive financial planning, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), portfolio construction and monitoring, annual or semi-annual portfolio reviews including personal rates of return, adjusted cost base (ACB) and capital gain/loss reporting. All accounts held through TD Waterhouse Institutional Services. Minimum family account size is $500,000.
Warren MacKenzie, CA, CFP, CIMA
Weigh House Investor Services
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 640-0550
warren.mackenzie@weighhouse.com
Offers independent portfolio evaluation and monitoring, financial planning, and other specialized services such as ManagerSEARCH, AdvisorSEARCH, and a coaching program for do-it-yourself investors.
Investment philosophy: Assists clients in building a low-cost and properly diversified portfolio that meets their individual needs. Will help investors build a passively managed ETF portfolio they can manage on their own, or with the ongoing services of an advisor. See the Weigh House Rules for more.
Fee structure: Clients pay a flat fee based on the time and complexity of the assignment. Minimum fee for financial planning and portfolio evaluation service is $1,250. Does not sell investment or insurance products of any kind.
Ontario (905 area)
Tony De Thomasis, CFP, RFP
De Thomas Financial Corp.
Thornhill, Ontario
(905) 731-9800
tdt@dethomasfinancial.com
Full service mutual fund dealer and financial planner with expertise in investments, taxation, retirement planning, employee and personal benefits, estate planning and insurance.
Investment philosophy: Advocates a purely passive strategy with multiple asset classes using products from Dimensional Fund Advisors, PIE Funds, Invesco PowerShares and Pro-Financial Asset Management. Not licensed to sell ETFs.
Fee structure: Client pays 1% of assets under management for low-fee F-series funds. May use A-series funds, which pay a trailer fee to the advisor, for smaller accounts. Fee includes asset allocation services to manage risk, ongoing portfolio monitoring, regular rebalancing and full financial planning services. Minimum account size is $100,000.
MoneyPower Group at Raymond James
MoneyPower Group at Raymond James
4263 Sherwoodtowne Blvd.
Mississauga, Ontario
JoAnne Anderson, B.Comm. (Hons), CFP
(905) 272-3900, ext. 23
Stephen Silman, M.A. (Oxon), TEP
(905) 804-0296
Frank J. Restorick, CFP
(905) 272-3900, ext, 22
Offers comprehensive wealth management, financial planning and investment solutions.
Investment philosophy: Uses strategies based on the best academic research and applies them using ETFs, index and enhanced index funds, and funds from Dimensional Fund Advisors. For more information, see The Art and Science of Creating Wealth: Building the Investment Portfolio That’s Right for You.
Fee structure: For accounts of $25,000 to $100,000, client pays 1.4% to 1.7% for a discretionary, separately managed wrap account using ETFs. For accounts of $100,000 to $500,000, the fee drops to 1.25%, and for accounts above $500,000, the fee is 1% up to $1,000,000 and 0.75% on the balance.
Notes: JoAnne Anderson can serve clients in Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Stephen Silman and Frank Restorick can serve clients in Ontario. Securities are offered through Raymond James Ltd., Member–Canadian Investor Protection Fund. Financial planning and insurance offered through Raymond James Financial Planning Ltd., not a Member–Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
Alberta
Derek Fuchs, CFP, FMA, FCSI
ScotiaMcLeod – Wealth Advisor
Red Deer, Alberta
(403) 356-7029 or 1-866-398-4597
derek_fuchs@scotiamcleod.com
Licensed advisor and Certified Financial Planner who provides comprehensive services, including investment management, retirement, tax and estate planning, and income and asset protection strategies. Serves clients in Calgary, Edmonton, and all of Central Alberta.
Investment philosophy: Can be customized for client, but leans toward a passive approach with broad-based and sector ETFs. May use F-class mutual funds to access managers in specialty areas, such as emerging markets and global small caps.
Fee structure: Client pays 1% of assets under management, with an account minimum of $250,000 per household. Fee includes ongoing portfolio monitoring and full planning services, including a customized financial plan that is reviewed annually or as needed. Clients never pay front loads, deferred sales charges or brokerage commissions.
Sandra Macenko Merkley, B.A. MSc (Pl)
The Macenko Merkley Group — ScotiaMcLeod
Director, Wealth Management
Senior Wealth Advisor
Calgary, Alberta
(403) 298-4014 or 1-800-372-9274
sandra_macenkomerkley@scotiamcleod.com
Sandra Macenko Merkley has been successfully building wealth for individuals and businesses in Calgary for over 20 years.
Investment philosophy: Committed to a conservative portfolio approach aligned with the individual’s personal risk profile and desired returns. Establishes and delivers personal plans through a disciplined process designed to meet long-term objectives. Helps families achieve peace of mind by building solid relationships and providing trusted advice and solutions. Knowledgeable and experienced with ETFs and passive management strategies.
Fee structure: In the fee-based program, clients pay 1% of assets under management for a comprehensive investment policy statement, portfolio construction and ongoing monitoring. Customized financial and estate planning services are available, as well as access to research and relevant events and seminars. Minimum family account size is $250,000.
Notes: The Investment Dealers Association of Canada (now IIROC) has recognized the excellent service offered by the Macenko Merkley Group. Sandra Macenko Merkley serves clients in Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick and those located internationally.
British Columbia
Macdonald, Shymko & Company Ltd.
Macdonald, Shymko & Company
Fee Only Financial Advisors + Portfolio Manager
Vancouver, BC
(604) 687-7966
msc@msc-feeonly.com
Since 1972, MSC has provided comprehensive and unbiased “Fee Only” financial planning advice, which may include cash flow, income tax, business owner, risk/insurance, retirement, estate, and executive stock option strategies for the achievement of clients’ personal and financial goals. MSC is registered as Portfolio Manager to provide advice and optimize the achievement of their clients’ investment goals.
Investment philosophy: Uses an asset class investment philosophy and has recommended exchange-traded funds/vehicles since 1990. Clients invest in low-cost, diversified, tax-efficient ETFs and Dimensional Fund Advisors assets. Portfolios may include mortgage investment corporations, real estate and fixed income ladders.
Fee structure: MSC has never accepted commissions or referral fees. Clients pay financial planning hourly rates of $180-$300. For portfolio management services, clients pay 1.15% of assets under management, trending down to 0.2% depending on the total size of family accounts (plus MER of assets held). Fee includes investment policy statement, tailored portfolio construction, regular reporting with economic commentary and portfolio feedback, periodic review meetings, client education, adjusted cost base and capital gain/loss tracking.
Note: MSC is registered as a Portfolio Manager with the British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario Securities Commissions, and has clients across Canada and those located internationally.
