An intentional approach to asset management
When it comes to saving for your future – perhaps for a down payment on a home, college funds or your retirement – we have two words for every one of our clients: start early.
We operate on the belief that our clients deserve a deeply personal experience, and we also strongly believe that investing isn’t just about choosing funds or reacting to markets. It’s about building a comprehensive and thoughtful strategy that reflects your unique goals, your risk tolerance and your time horizon.
Here at Independent Financial Services, we have the experience and capabilities to help you lay a strong foundation for your future.
Our investment philosophy
- Clients come first. For our fee-based advisory accounts, investment decisions are made in the context of your personal objectives and your best interests.
- We are not market timers. We believe investing is long-term relative to your goals.
- Balanced cash positions. Maintaining appropriate levels of cash may be part of the strategy, depending on market conditions and your needs. We will likely never recommend converting accounts 100% to cash.
Our Investment Committee team
Managing wealth involves an ongoing process of designing, implementing and reviewing your investment strategy in alignment with your financial objectives. Rather than focusing on individual investments in isolation, our aim is to look at your portfolio as a whole and how it fits into your broader financial picture.
Our Investment Policy Committee reviews investment strategies using a combination of Raymond James research, industry analysis and current market information. Each discussion is designed to help inform how your strategies and portfolios are evaluated over time.
The process behind your investment portfolio
As our client, your portfolios and individual holdings are reviewed to assess the alignment with your objectives and our internal evaluation standards. This review helps to incorporate Raymond James’ research along with additional third‑party and proprietary analysis.
Portfolio allocations are reviewed in relation to established benchmarks and market conditions. When appropriate, we may consider adjustments to maintain alignment with your long‑term objectives and risk considerations.
Structured Review Cadance
Daily
- Market, economic and investment‑related information from Raymond James and other securities vendors is reviewed to stay current on developments that may affect portfolios.
Weekly
- Ongoing conversations with investment and insurance professionals help inform our understanding of changes in investments, markets and planning considerations.
- Client strategies may be reviewed or rebalanced in preparation for upcoming meetings.
Biweekly
- Our Investment Policy Committee reviews investment strategies using a combination of Raymond James research, industry analysis and current market information.
- These discussions help to inform how strategies and portfolios are evaluated over time and whether holding, buying, or selling certain investments may be appropriate
Monthly
- Portfolio performance is reviewed in relation to expectations and established benchmarks.
- Individual stock holdings are assessed using Raymond James research alongside third‑party and proprietary evaluation tools.
Annually
- Comprehensive year‑end portfolio reviews are conducted, including comparisons to major market indexes such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, as well as relevant benchmarks tied to your specific strategy.
- For taxable advisory accounts, tax‑aware strategies, such as tax‑loss harvesting, may be considered when appropriate and aligned with your overall plan and individual circumstances.*
*While year‑end provides a natural opportunity for tax planning and portfolio realignment, our team seeks to evaluate tax‑saving opportunities throughout the year as market conditions present them.
The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the US stock market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), commonly known as “The Dow” is an index representing 30 stock of companies maintained and reviewed by the editors of the Wall Street Journal. The NASDAQ composite is an unmanaged index of securities traded on the NASDAQ system.
Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Individual investor's results will vary.
Committee members:
Jodi Perez, CFP®, CEPA®
President & CEO, IFS
Wealth Manager, RJFS
Jodi Perez Bio
Jeannie Holliday, CFA®, CDFA®
Wealth Manager, RJFS
Jeannie Holliday Bio
Alexander Ezra, CFP®, CKA®
Financial Advisor, RJFS
Alexander Ezra Bio
Branden Sears, CFP®, AAMS®, CIMA®
Portfolio Technician, IFS
Financial Advisor, RJFS
Branden Sears Bio
Rachel Peeler, CEPA®, ABFP®
Financial Advisor, RJFS
Rachel Peeler Bio
Laura Warneke, CDFA®
Financial Advisor, RJFS
Laura Warneke Bio
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
CFA® and Chartered Financial Analyst® are registered trademarks owned by CFA Institute.
Investments & Wealth Institute™ (The Institute) is the owner of the certification marks “CIMA®” and “Certified Investment Management Analyst®.” Use of CIMA® and/or Certified Investment Management Analyst® signifies that the user has successfully completed The Institute's initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for investment management professionals.
The foundation for your future
We recognize entrusting someone with the management of your wealth and investments is a crucial decision.
Our role doesn’t end when your portfolio is in place. We have the flexibility to evaluate a wide range of investment options and work closely with you to select those that we believe align best with your goals and risk profile.
By viewing wealth management as a long-term endeavor, we’re able to focus on helping your plan work in service of your goals today – and well into the future.
In a fee-based account, clients pay a quarterly fee, based on the level of assets in the account, for the services of a financial advisor as part of an advisory relationship. In deciding to pay a fee rather than commissions, clients should understand that the fee may be higher than a commission alternative during periods of lower trading. Advisory fees are in addition to the internal expenses charged by mutual funds and other investment company securities. To the extent that clients intend to hold these securities, the internal expenses should be included when evaluating the costs of a fee-based account. Clients should periodically re-evaluate whether the use of an asset-based fee continues to be appropriate in servicing their needs. A list of additional considerations, as well as the fee schedule, is available in the firm's Form ADV Part 2 as well as the client agreement.
