Frequently Asked Questions—FAQs

  • We work with high-earning professionals, business owners, and high-net-worth individuals who need more advanced financial planning and investment management. We do our best work for clients who have a net worth of $2 million or more or earn $500,000+ per year, but we evaluate every situation individually.

    We focus on clients who want a proactive, hands-on approach to financial strategy, tax planning, and investments—not just someone to rebalance a portfolio once a year. Our model is best suited for those who value expertise and strategic decision-making beyond basic financial advice.

  • Traditional financial advisors charge based on assets under management (AUM), meaning their fees grow as your wealth grows—even if they’re not doing any extra work. We don’t believe that’s fair.

    Our flat-fee structure eliminates this conflict. It ensures that:

    • You’re paying for expertise and service, not just portfolio size.

    • We can give objective advice without being incentivized to push investments or increase AUM.

    • Our pricing is transparent and predictable, so you always know what you’re paying.

    Many high-net-worth investors may end up paying a lot under an AUM model. A flat fee aligns with your best interests—our job is to help you grow and protect your wealth efficiently, without unnecessary fees eating into returns.

  • Yes. As a Registered Investment Advisor, our firm is legally required to act in the best interest of our clients. Charging a flat fee also removes certain conflicts of interest which can be found with other fee models. It is our duty and mission to provide you with the best financial services possible.

  • We do not have a strict asset minimum, but our services are best suited for individuals with a net worth of at least $1 million or an income of $500,000+ per year.

    Unlike traditional advisors, we do not require you to move assets under our management to work with us. However, we often recommend managing assets as part of a comprehensive strategy to optimize tax efficiency and long-term financial planning.

  • We do not directly manage 401(k) plans for businesses. Our expertise is in individual financial planning and investment management, not plan administration.

    That said, we work with independent firms specializing in 401(k) advisory services and can refer you to professionals who handle these plans for small and mid-sized businesses. If your business has a retirement plan, we can advise on plan selection, design, and tax efficiency to ensure it aligns with your overall financial goals.

  • Business owners face unique financial challenges, from cash flow management to tax optimization and exit planning. We provide financial strategies that align personal and business finances, including:

    • Proactive tax planning to minimize liabilities and maximize deductions.

    • Investment strategies that account for business volatility and liquidity needs.

    • Succession and exit planning to structure business transitions efficiently.

    • Retirement planning options that integrate with business cash flow.

    We help business owners navigate complex financial decisions while keeping a long-term strategy in place.

  • Yes, we work closely with estate attorneys to structure wealth transfer strategies. While we do not draft legal documents, we help clients navigate:

    • Trust and estate planning for tax-efficient wealth transfer.

    • Gifting strategies to minimize estate tax exposure.

    • Business succession planning to ensure smooth transitions.

    Estate planning is about more than just legal documents—it’s about ensuring your wealth is protected and passed on efficiently.

  • We take an active approach to tax-efficient investing. Our strategies include:

    • Tax-loss harvesting to offset capital gains.

    • Asset location strategies (placing tax-inefficient assets in the right accounts).

    • Roth conversions and strategic tax-deferred investing.

    • Charitable giving strategies like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs).

    Taxes can significantly impact long-term returns, so we incorporate tax planning into every financial decision, not just once a year.

  • No, we do not prepare tax returns, communicate with the IRS on your behalf, or provide tax filing services. We are not CPAs or Enrolled Agents (EAs).

    However, we specialize in tax-efficient financial planning and investment strategies to help reduce tax liabilities and maximize after-tax wealth. Some of the strategies we help clients evaluate and implement include:

    • Tax-loss harvesting – Offsetting capital gains by strategically selling underperforming assets.

    • Asset location optimization – Placing tax-inefficient investments (like bonds, REITs, and dividend-heavy stocks) in tax-advantaged accounts.

    • Roth conversion strategies – Timing and structuring Roth conversions to minimize taxes, including Mega Backdoor Roth strategies for high earners.

    • Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusion – Using Section 1202 to potentially exclude up to $10 million in capital gains from taxation.

    • IRC Section 83(b) elections – Prepaying taxes on restricted stock to take advantage of long-term capital gains rates.

    • Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) – Deferring and potentially eliminating capital gains taxes by reinvesting in designated opportunity zone funds.

    • Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) – Bunching charitable contributions to maximize deductions in high-income years.

    • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) – Using IRA distributions for charitable giving to satisfy RMDs tax-free.

    • Net Unrealized Appreciation (NUA) strategy – Lowering taxes on highly appreciated employer stock within a retirement plan.

    • 72(t) distributions – Accessing retirement funds early without penalties through a structured withdrawal plan.

    We work alongside your CPA or tax professional to ensure these strategies align with your overall tax situation. Our role is to identify opportunities for tax efficiency within your investment and financial plan, while your CPA handles compliance and tax filings.

  • No, we do not sell commission-based insurance products. We believe that financial advice should be unbiased and conflict-free, which is why we do not receive commissions from any financial or insurance products.

    That said, we recognize the importance of risk management, and we work with independent brokers to help clients evaluate their insurance needs—whether it’s life insurance, disability coverage, or long-term care planning.

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Send us an email at patrick@rysecapitalmanagement.com, and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.