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W.A. Smith Financial Group

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Client assets under management

$1,162,140,178

Clients

1,665

20% high-net worth

Advisors

12

of 27 employees

Firm type

Team

4-10 advisors or $500M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

139

Very High

Average account size

$697,982

About

W.A. Smith Financial Group offers discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning and tax-planning services, and qualified retirement-plan oversight to individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm also provides plan aggregation and “held away” account management through an account-aggregation platform and may work with sub-advisors or third-party managers for portfolio implementation.

Investment decisions are guided by an internal Investment Committee that applies a top‑down macroeconomic, political and regulatory framework followed by manager due diligence, blending active and passive strategies and model portfolios tailored to client objectives. The firm uses fundamental, technical and cyclical analysis and typically pursues a long‑term approach, while retaining flexibility to use shorter‑term tactics when a client’s situation or investment thesis changes.

The firm is notable for its affiliation with an insurance brokerage (W.A. Smith Financial, LLC), with multiple advisers licensed to offer commissionable insurance products and disclosed policies to address related conflicts of interest. It also manages held‑away retirement assets via the Pontera system, requires custody with its recommended custodians (including Fidelity and Charles Schwab) rather than accepting directed brokerage, and has ownership interests in consulting and marketing businesses that operate alongside the advisory practice.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops

Expertise

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)

Fee options

Fixed

Financial planning fees range from $1,000 to $25,000, fees may be waived in some cases

Percentage

$0 - $500,000: 1.50% $500,001 - $1,500,000: 1.10% $1,500,001 - $2,500,000: 0.95% $2,500,001 - $5,000,000: 0.85% $5,000,001 - $10,000,000: 0.75% $10,000,000+: Negotiable

Other

Account minimum: $250,000 Minimum fee: $100 annual administration fee per household with less than $250,000 in assets under management

Main office location

W.A. Smith Financial Group

4604 Timber Commons Drive

Sandusky OH 44870, United States

Number of offices

4

Most active in

Arizona · California · Florida · Michigan · North Carolina · Ohio · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas

Disclosures

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

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

Brandon S

Series 66

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Brandon Schaefer is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group with two years of industry experience. He holds the Series 66 designation and previously worked at Thrivent Financial and Thrivent Investment Management Inc. before joining his current firm. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and qualified retirement plan oversight. The firm employs a top-down, macro-driven investment process using both active and passive strategies, and utilizes sub-advisors, third-party managers, and alternative investment vehicles when appropriate.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

William L

Series 65

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

William Lauer is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group with nine years of industry experience. He has been with W.A. Smith Financial Group since 2013 and is also associated with Great Lakes Retirement, Inc. since 2016. He holds a Series 65 designation. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan oversight. The firm uses a top-down, macro-driven investment process with both active and passive strategies, incorporating sub-advisors and alternative investment vehicles for suitable clients.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Andrew T

Series 65

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Andrew Toccaceli is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group with 12 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at Great Lakes Retirement, Inc. since 2013, concurrently with his tenure at W.A. Smith Financial Group beginning in 2010. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm employs a macro-driven, top-down investment approach overseen by an investment committee and offers a range of services including portfolio management, financial planning, tax planning, and qualified retirement plan oversight.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

David C

Series 66

Sheffield Village, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

David Coletto is a financial advisor with W.A. Smith Financial Group, holding a Series 66 license and six years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Great Lakes Retirement, Inc., LPL Financial LLC, and Cetera Advisor Networks. W.A. Smith Financial Group serves individuals—including high-net-worth clients—pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm employs a top-down, macro-driven investment approach with both active and passive strategies, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and qualified retirement plan oversight.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Logan B

Series 66

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Logan Bolin is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group in Sandusky, OH, holding a Series 66 designation. He joined the firm in 2024 and has prior experience with Fidelity Investments, Rea & Associates, Inc., and Northwestern Mutual. Bolin's background also includes roles in education at Ashland University and Midview High School. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement plan oversight. The firm employs a top-down, macro-driven investment approach using both active and passive strategies, and utilizes sub-advisors and alternative investment vehicles for suitable clients.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

William S

Series 66

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

William Smith is a financial advisor with W.A. Smith Financial Group in Sandusky, Ohio, holding a Series 66 designation and 19 years of industry experience. He has been with W.A. Smith Financial since 2011 and is also associated with Great Lakes Retirement, Inc. Outside of advisory work, he owns and operates several non-investment-related businesses, including an employee benefits firm, a marketing company, and a consulting business serving financial firms and individuals. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and qualified retirement plan oversight. The firm employs a macro-driven, committee-based investment process using both active and passive strategies and incorporates third-party managers and alternative vehicles for suitable clients.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Matthew M

Series 65

Sarasota, FL

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Matthew Miller is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group in Sarasota, FL, holding a Series 65 designation with one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Fisher Investments, Fis, and Franklin Templeton. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan oversight. The firm uses a top-down, macro-driven investment process with a combination of active and passive strategies and employs sub-advisors and customized model portfolios for its clients.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Jacob K

Series 63, Series 66

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Jacob Kinsley is a financial advisor with W.A. Smith Financial Group in Sandusky, Ohio, holding Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and bringing eight years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at PNC Investments, Edward Jones, The Huntington Investment Company, LPL Financial, and FirstMerit Bank. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and qualified retirement plan oversight. The firm employs a top-down, macro-driven investment process with both active and passive strategies, utilizing sub-advisors and customized model portfolios.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Nathaniel F

Series 63, Series 66

Sheffield Village, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Nathaniel Fockler is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group with nine years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 66 licenses and has previously worked at UBS Financial Services and Citizens Bank. Outside of his advisory role, Nathaniel serves on the Young Professionals Board of Junior Achievement Cleveland and volunteers in local classrooms. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and qualified retirement plan oversight. The firm employs a macro-driven investment approach, utilizing both active and passive strategies, sub-advisors, and alternative vehicles tailored to client needs.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Damon L

Series 66

Sarasota, FL

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Damon Lee is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group in Sarasota, FL, holding a Series 66 license with over one year of industry experience. His prior roles include positions at Mariner Wealth Advisors, Msec, LLC, Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation, and TD Bank Group. In addition to his advisory work, he is also a licensed fixed life insurance agent. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan oversight. The firm employs a committee-driven, macro-focused investment approach that incorporates active and passive strategies, third-party managers, and alternative investment vehicles for suitable clients.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Jarrett L

Series 65

Sandusky, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Jarrett Lang is a financial advisor with W.A. Smith Financial Group in Sandusky, Ohio, holding a Series 65 designation and 12 years of industry experience. He has been with W.A. Smith Financial Group since 2012 and is also associated with Great Lakes Retirement, Inc. since 2013. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, offering portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and retirement plan oversight. The firm uses a top-down, macro-driven investment process with both active and passive strategies and employs an investment committee for manager selection.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
user avatar

Zachary B

Series 66

Sheffield Village, OH

W.A. Smith Financial Group

Zachary Bush is a financial advisor at W.A. Smith Financial Group with 13 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including JP Morgan Securities, TD Ameritrade, and PNC Bank. W.A. Smith Financial Group advises individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities, providing portfolio management, financial and tax-planning services, and retirement plan oversight. The firm uses a top-down, macro-driven investment approach with both active and passive strategies and employs sub-advisors and customized model portfolios for its clients.

Income planning General tax planning Retirement income strategy Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k)
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