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.
Canadian Couch Potato and PWL Capital offer a unique flat-fee service for investors who want to manage their own ETF portfolios but need help getting started. For complete information, download our brochure.
Investors looking for a full-service advisor should consider the suggestions below. The advisors in this list use passive strategies (usually with ETFs or Dimensional Funds) and are compensated directly from client fees rather than commissions on investment products. However, each has his or her own unique approach, so you should 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
PWL Capital Inc. (Toronto)
PWL Capital Inc. (Toronto)
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 203-0067 or toll free 1-866-242-0203
Justin Bender, CFA, CFP – Associate Portfolio Manager
Kathleen Clough, CIM, CFP, RFP, TEP – Portfolio Manager
Shannon Dalziel, B. Comm. – Investment Advisor
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 factors has historically been shown to compensate investors over the long term. Clients attain exposure to these factors through low-cost, diversified, tax-efficient ETFs and mutual funds (Dimensional Fund Advisors).
Fee structure: Clients pay 1.5% of assets under management, trending down as total size of family accounts gets larger. Fee includes 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. Assets are held in accounts in client’s name by the carrying broker, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. Minimum family account size is $500,000.
PWL also provides integrated financial planning services with fees set in advance, based on a customized mandate.
PWL Capital Inc. (Ottawa)
PWL Capital Inc. (Ottawa)
Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 237-5544 or toll free 1-800-230-5544
Cameron Passmore, CIM, FMA, FCSI – Portfolio Manager
Nancy Graham, CA, CIM, CFP, TEP – Portfolio Manager
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 factors has historically been shown to compensate investors over the long term. Clients attain exposure to these factors through low-cost, diversified, tax-efficient ETFs and mutual funds (Dimensional Fund Advisors).
Fee structure: Clients pay 1.5% of assets under management, trending down as total size of family accounts gets larger. Fee includes 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. Assets are held in accounts in client’s name by the carrying broker, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. Minimum family account size is $500,000.
PWL also provides integrated financial planning services with fees set in advance, based on a customized mandate.
PWL Capital Inc. (Waterloo)
PWL Capital Inc. (Waterloo)
Waterloo, Ontario
(519) 880-0888 or toll free 1-877-517-0888
Graham Westmacott, CFA – Investment Advisor and Associate Portfolio Manager
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 factors has historically been shown to compensate investors over the long term. Clients attain exposure to these factors through low-cost, diversified, tax-efficient ETFs and mutual funds (Dimensional Fund Advisors).
Fee structure: Clients pay 1.5% of assets under management, trending down as total size of family accounts gets larger. Fee includes 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. Assets are held in accounts in client’s name by the carrying broker, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. Minimum family account size is $500,000.
PWL also provides integrated financial planning services with fees set in advance, based on a customized mandate.
Quebec
PWL Capital Inc. (Montreal)
PWL Capital Inc. (Montreal)
Montreal, Quebec
(514) 875-7566 or toll free 1-800-875-7566
Anthony S. Layton, MBA, CIM – Chairman & CEO, Portfolio Manager
James Parkyn, C. Admin., F.Pl., CIM, FCSI – Portfolio Manager
Peter Guay, CFA – Portfolio Manager
François Doyon La Rochelle, CFA – Portfolio Manager and Financial Analyst
Nikolas Androutsos – Investment Advisor and Associate Portfolio Manager
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 factors has historically been shown to compensate investors over the long term. Clients attain exposure to these factors through low-cost, diversified, tax-efficient ETFs and mutual funds (Dimensional Fund Advisors).
Fee structure: Clients pay 1.5% of assets under management, trending down as total size of family accounts gets larger. Fee includes 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. Assets are held in accounts in client’s name by the carrying broker, TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. Minimum family account size is $500,000.
PWL also provides integrated financial planning services with fees set in advance, based on a customized mandate.
Manitoba
Index Wealth Management Inc. (Winnipeg)
Index Wealth Management Inc. (Winnipeg)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 989-6200
Alan Fustey, CFA, CIM, FCSI
Managing Principal and Portfolio Manager
Offers personalized discretionary portfolio management. For individuals who do not meet the minimum account size, fee-based investment review and asset allocation planning is available.
Investment philosophy: Builds portfolios using ETFs as core holdings. Depending on client’s investment goals and risk tolerance, these ETFs may be combined with call option strategies to enhance income or reduce portfolio volatility.
Fee structure: Clients pay a transparent fee based on assets under management, beginning at 1.25% and declining to 0.30%. Fee includes financial planning, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), portfolio construction and monitoring, quarterly performance reviews, and comprehensive annual tax reporting. Minimum family account size is $400,000.
Note: Index Wealth Management Inc. is registered as a Portfolio Manager with the Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia Securities Commissions. All client assets are held with a custodian covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
Alberta
Index Wealth Management Inc. (Calgary)
Index Wealth Management Inc. (Calgary)
Calgary, Alberta
(403) 269-1375
Ken Serbu, CIM, B.Mgmt
Offers personalized discretionary portfolio management. For individuals who do not meet the minimum account size, fee-based investment review and asset allocation planning is available.
Investment philosophy: Builds portfolios using ETFs as core holdings. Depending on client’s investment goals and risk tolerance, these ETFs may be combined with call option strategies to enhance income or reduce portfolio volatility.
Fee structure: Clients pay a transparent fee based on assets under management, beginning at 1.25% and declining to 0.30%. Fee includes financial planning, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), portfolio construction and monitoring, quarterly performance reviews, and comprehensive annual tax reporting. Minimum family account size is $400,000.
Note: Index Wealth Management Inc. is registered as a Portfolio Manager with the Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia Securities Commissions. All client assets are held with a custodian covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
British Columbia
Index Wealth Management Inc. (Vancouver)
Index Wealth Management Inc. (Vancouver)
Vancouver, BC
(604) 609-6177
Gordon Ross, CFA
Offers personalized discretionary portfolio management. For individuals who do not meet the minimum account size, fee-based investment review and asset allocation planning is available.
Investment philosophy: Builds portfolios using ETFs as core holdings. Depending on client’s investment goals and risk tolerance, these ETFs may be combined with call option strategies to enhance income or reduce portfolio volatility.
Fee structure: Clients pay a transparent fee based on assets under management, beginning at 1.25% and declining to 0.30%. Fee includes financial planning, Investment Policy Statement (IPS), portfolio construction and monitoring, quarterly performance reviews, and comprehensive annual tax reporting. Minimum family account size is $400,000.
Note: Index Wealth Management Inc. is registered as a Portfolio Manager with the Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia Securities Commissions. All client assets are held with a custodian covered by the Canadian Investor Protection Fund.
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-$320. 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.


