Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc logo

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

Updated today

Total assets under management

$167,148,208

Total clients

438

17% high-net worth

Total advisors

5

of 7 employees

Firm size

Team

4-10 advisors or $500M+ in AUM

Average clients per advisor

88

Average account size

$381,617

About

Shotwell Rutter Baer provides advisory services to individuals and high‑net‑worth clients, offering comprehensive financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, tax and estate planning support, insurance and employee‑benefits advice, and financial coaching. The firm manages client assets on a discretionary basis (approximately $167.1 million as of year‑end 2024) and delivers services through project‑based engagements, a three‑month onboarding planning process, and ongoing planning and investment management arrangements that may include clients’ family members.

The firm’s investment approach emphasizes a strict asset‑allocation framework using only no‑load mutual funds and generally limits trading to rebalancing to agreed allocations; model portfolios are monitored continuously and formally reviewed at least annually. New clients complete a structured three‑month planning engagement that uses financial‑planning software to model scenarios, and ongoing clients receive periodic reviews, semi‑annual meetings, and one‑on‑one planner access through a subscription arrangement.

Noteworthy aspects relative to many peers include a broad menu of engagement and fee models beyond pure AUM billing—fixed‑fee project work, a structured onboarding engagement, and tiered net‑worth‑based ongoing planning subscriptions—together with an explicit statement of no minimum portfolio size. The firm also retains East Bay Financial Services under a fixed monthly retainer to support model construction and research, does not aggregate client trades into block orders, and adheres to NAPFA and CFP fiduciary and ethical standards.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Selection of other advisers

Fee options

Fixed

Project-based financial planning fee is a fixed fee typically ranging from $2,400 to $22,000.

Percentage

$0 - $749,999: $5,500 annual fee $750,000 - $999,999: $6,500 annual fee $1,000,000 - $1,499,999: $8,000 annual fee $1,500,000 - $1,999,999: $10,000 annual fee $2,000,000 - $2,999,999: $13,000 annual fee $3,000,000 - $3,999,999: $17,500 annual fee $4,000,000+: $22,000 annual fee

Other

Fee-only: Project-based financial planning fixed fee ranges from $2,400 to $22,000; Initial planning engagement and onboarding one-time fee of $2,400.

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Main office location

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

6350 West Michigan Avenue, Suite 200

Lansing MI 48917, United States

Number of offices

2

Advisors at this firm

Nick N

CFP®

Lansing, MI

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

Nick has been practicing financial planning since moving to the Lansing area in 2006. After studying Financial Management and Economics at Northern Michigan University, Nick ventured into the financial planning industry. Having a young daughter and wife, Nick wanted to stay in Michigan. At the time he graduated, one of the few jobs available for a finance major was as a financial advisor. Nick struggled through his first few years in the profession. He relates the struggle to his early memories of money living in Spring Lake, Michigan. One of the things he learned about money when he was growing up was the people who seemed to have the most of it, weren’t inherently happier than those who didn’t. When he started in the financial advising industry, the profession appeared to be all about making money, something he didn’t hold in high esteem. Some years later, around the time his son was born, Nick finally started to figure out his place in the financial planning world. He was challenged to answer the question of why he did what he did. Thinking back on his early memories of money, he concluded he was in the financial planning profession to help people realize their life goals. Shortly after his realization, he was introduced to the pioneers in the industry such as Mitch Anthony and the Money Quotient team. His career in financial life planning was born. Listen to Nick's podcast: https://srbadvisors.com/category/podcast-kitchen-table-finance/

General retirement planning University Employee Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)

David S

CFP®

Lansing, MI

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

David joined the firm early in 2013. A 1995 graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, David has worked in the financial services industry since March, 2000. He is a member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA), and Treasurer of the Michigan Financial Planning Association. Our mission at Shotwell Rutter Baer is to cut through the complexity in our clients’ financial lives, delivering financial planning and investment advice that is both personal and practical. We are devoted to a strict fiduciary duty, honing our craft, and providing the highest degree of professionalism while maintaining the intimate, “kitchen table” approach to client relationships upon which our practice was founded.

General retirement planning University Employee Public Service Employee Gen X (Born 1965-1980)
user avatar

Cole W

Series 65

Lansing, MI

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

user avatar

Jeffrey R

Series 65

Lansing, MI

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

user avatar

Ashley S

Series 65

Lansing, MI

Shotwell Rutter Baer Inc

Warmer team member

Not sure where to start?

We'll help you think it through – whether you ultimately need an advisor or not.

Call (201) 292-4557

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")