Advisor at Founders Financial Securities LLC
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Some details may be added by the advisor after claiming their profile. Refreshed daily • Updated today.
Firm
Founders Financial Securities LLC
Location
Bellingham, WA 98225
Credentials
Series 63, Series 65
Industry experience
15 years
Christopher Herkert is a financial advisor with Founders Financial Securities LLC, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and 15 years of industry experience. He has worked at Founders Financial Securities since 2021 and has maintained his own practice, Herkert & Associates, since 2010. His background includes over a decade at Woodbury Financial Services, Inc. He also operates an independent insurance agency under his DBA for life insurance sales. Founders Financial Securities serves a diverse client base including individual and high-net-worth investors, retirement plans, charitable organizations, and corporate clients. The firm offers a range of advisory services, combining discretionary portfolio management, third-party asset managers, financial planning, and insurance, with investment approaches tailored by individual advisers and delivered through multiple specialized program platforms.
Based on Founders Financial Securities LLC
Flat fees possible for financial planning; also $500 annual subscription fee for TheFreedomStrategies.com
$0 - $25,000: up to 2.50%; or $125 minimum annual fee prorated monthly, whichever is greater (Independence Advisory at Pershing) $25,000+: up to 2.50% (Independence Advisory at Pershing) $0 - $4,999: N/A (minimum not met; exceptions possible) $5,000 - $24,999: up to 2.50% plus custodial fee ($50 annual, charged quarterly) (Independence Advisory at Axos and Schwab) $25,000 - $99,999: up to 2.50% plus custodial fee ($75 annual, charged quarterly) (Independence Advisory at Axos and Schwab) $100,000+: up to 2.50% plus custodial fee ($100 annual, charged quarterly) (Independence Advisory at Axos and Schwab) $10,000+: 1.65% annually (Managed Portfolio Program) $0+: no account minimum for FCMS Managed Accounts, fees typically up to 2.75% annually $0 - $1,000,000: up to 1.70% annually (FCMS Private Wealth Solutions) $1,000,000+: up to 1.40% annually (FCMS Private Wealth Solutions) $0+: up to 2.00% annually or flat fee for Freedom Independence Plan (retirement plan advisory) $0+: $500 annually (quarterly installments) for TheFreedomStrategies.com subscription
Commissions possible if IAR is also a Registered Representative; separate from advisory fees
Financial planning fees up to $500 per hour, negotiable
TheFreedomStrategies.com subscription fee is $500 annually, paid quarterly in arrears
Account minimum: $5,000 Minimum fee: $125 minimum annual fee for some Independence Advisory accounts opened below $25,000 Fee-only: Financial planning fees up to $500 per hour or $30,000 per year, negotiable; flat fees or hourly rates possible
1200 Old Fairhaven Pkwy Suite 304
Bellingham, WA 98225
Washington · Wisconsin
Founders Financial Securities LLC
2021 - Present (5 years)
Herkert & Associates
2010 - Present (16 years)
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc
2010 - 2021 (11 years)
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
Is not active or affiliated with:
Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
CFP®
Bellingham, WA
Ridge Falls Financial Planning
Meet Eric Smith, CFP®, MEd, MBA I started Ridge Falls Financial Planning because I love helping people gain clarity and confidence in their financial lives. While I have a background in supporting service-oriented professionals, my practice is specifically designed for aspiring DIY Investors and Validators—those who manage their own finances but want a professional "second set of eyes" to ensure they are on track for retirement. A Collaborative, Advice-Only Approach: The inspiration for my firm came from my own life. At various points in our careers, my wife and I wanted to meet with a financial planner on an hourly basis to ensure we were on the right path. We wanted a fiduciary to take a comprehensive look at everything—from long-range cash flow and insurance to investments and estate planning. However, we wanted that advice without the requirement of asset management. Today, I provide that exact service: holistic, pre-retirement financial reviews on an hourly, Advice-Only basis. Financial Expertise: I spent 12 years in the financial services industry, serving as a branch manager, community banker, and business lender. I also served as a SCORE Business Mentor, helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. An Educator’s Perspective: I have over 15 years of experience as an educator. My background includes teaching at Western Washington University (WWU) and serving in the U.S. Peace Corps in Mongolia. I use this experience to make complex financial concepts easy to understand. Academic Foundation: I hold a degree in Cultural Anthropology (Psychology emphasis), a Master of Education, and a Master of Business Administration, all from WWU. Life in the Pacific Northwest: I have called Bellingham, WA home for over 25 years and am an active member of our outdoor community. A great day includes mountain biking the Ridge Trail on Galbraith and a family walk in Whatcom Falls Park with our dog, Zuzu. These two local trail systems inspired the name of my business: Ridge Falls Financial Planning.
Series 63, Series 65
Bellingham, WA
FSR Wealth Management, LLC
Series 65, Series 66
Bellingham, WA
NW Straits Financial Services
CFP®, Series 63
Bellingham, WA
Scott Value Investing
Series 66
Bellingham, WA
Vail Ridge Capital, LLC
CFP®, Series 66
Bellingham, WA
Brown PCFO
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through – whether you ultimately need an advisor or not.
Warmer provides personalized recommendations and introductions to independent fiduciary advisors. We do not supervise advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
Each advisor listed on our site is an independent fiduciary responsible for their own advice. Warmer may receive fees from advisors for participation or referrals; these fees are paid by advisors and do not affect the fees clients pay for advisory services.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Please review an advisor's Form ADV and do your own diligence before entering into an advisory relationship.
By using our service, you agree to Warmer's Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement and Privacy Policy. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. ("Warmer")