Comprehensive Financial Advice

Live • Dream • Plan • Invest

Why American Advisors

We are an independent registered investment advisor firm designed to objectively provide advice without conflict of interest. Our mission is to be transparent with our clients and provide advice that is truly in their best interest. We operate with the highest of fiduciary standards and consider a long-term relationship built on trust and transparency to be our ultimate goal.

Fiduciary Oath

We provide our clients with individualized comprehensive financial planning services and investment advice based on their life and financial goals and their stage of life. Planning services include education planning, retirement planning, insurance needs analysis and investment allocation. We leverage the latest technology to optimize our services.

We abide by a fiduciary standard, which always puts the client's interests first.
We view transparency to our clients as a core value and believe it is essential in creating a relationship built on trust.
We believe all people should have access to expert financial advice regardless of the amount of assets they have to invest.
We work with clients to identify a proper risk score and allocate their investments based upon their risk sensitivity. This discipline will alleviate panic selling, trend chasing, market timing, and other mistakes that harm investors, damage investment portfolios and impair financial plans.
We offer two billing plans to give clients options for what best fits their needs.
We have a background that enables us to discuss complex trading strategies with sophisticated investors. However, our specialty is having clear conversations with non-financial clients and discussing investments and objectives in simple terms.
We use the latest technology for developing and monitoring our clients' investment portfolios and financial plans in order to obtain optimal accuracy, client usability and presentation.

We are looking to establish relationships with clients that are interested in planning for their long-term goals. Our ideal client is looking to partner with an advisor to accomplish their goals through professional planning and investment discipline.

We are excited to work with clients living throughout the USA through virtual planning tools and meetings. We locally serve clients in southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

"Trust is gained by doing the right thing consistently."

Don Connelly

About Us

Keith McGowan, CFP®

As the founder of American Advisors, LLC, I have a B.A. in Finance from Duquesne University and an M.B.A from Arizona State University. Additionally, I have over 17 years of experience in the financial industry, beginning as a trader on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange and transitioning into family office management and individual financial consulting before registering as an investment advisor and becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional.

My wife and I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and are blessed to have two sons. During my spare time, I enjoy watching Philadelphia sporting events, running, playing golf, traveling and, most importantly, spending time with family and friends.

Connect with Keith on LinkedIn.

Financial Planning Association (FPA)

The Financial Planning Association^® (FPA^®) is the largest membership organization for CFP^®professionals in the U.S. and also includes members who support the financial planning process.

XY Planning Network

The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.

CFP® Board

The mission of Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is to benefit the public by granting the CFP® certification and upholding it as the recognized standard of excellence for competent and ethical personal financial planning.

The National Association of Persona Financial Advisors (NAPFA)

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is the country’s leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

Firm Services

Overview

Our approach is to properly assess a client's risk tolerance, create a custom allocation model that reflects the client's objectives and tolerance, manage the portfolio in a cost and tax efficient manner and finally re-examine and adjust the model as a client needs or expectations shift. We believe that optimal long term investor performance can be accomplished through understanding client objectives and managing the portfolio with a long term perspective. We engage the latest technology resources to enhance the process from understanding clients needs and tolerance, portfolio recommendation, implementation, re-balancing and future modifications.

Client Risk Tolerance and Objectives

We use the riskalyze platform to quantitatively pinpoint a Risk Number®. This approach is advantageous over traditional questionnaires because it identifies the actual investment risk a client is willing to accept. Having this information provides multiple benefits for discussion and decision making. A quick version of the quiz is available on the site under client center.

Unbiased and Fiduciary Portfolio Creation

We are an independent firm, which gives us the ability to provide unbiased advice based on a client's particular needs. We examine a wide range of potential investments to identify what products will best create a portfolio that reflects our client’s individual needs. Primary screening includes but is not limited to manager quality, cost, and tax efficiency. Our core belief is disciplined investing in a cost and tax efficient manner is most beneficial to our clients.

Implementation

Once the proper allocation and account placement are selected, we utilize the latest technology to implement the portfolio. Upon implementation, we utilize the technology to monitor the weightings and alert to rebalance opportunities and potential tax harvesting opportunities. We also use a portfolio risk analyzer to ensure that the portfolio risk is in balance with the identified client risk acceptance.

Monitoring

Portfolios are monitored on a daily basis for rebalancing opportunities. We require at minimum an annual update to re-evaluate risk tolerance, any life changes or any life goal changes. We reflect any changes in the profile into a portfolio adjustment proposal and examine the effects of the changes on a tax basis, cost basis, and expected return and yield basis.

Investment Advice

We provide a detailed risk tolerance assessment for our clients to complete. Upon evaluating the results of this assessment, we appropriately allocate investments. We monitor the level of concentration and diversification in the portfolio at a geographic, sector and single stock level and make recommendations accordingly. We use the latest technology to rebalance portfolios to ensure that they stay within acceptable risk limits.

Debt Management

We review the outstanding debt ranging from credit card to mortgage and everything in between. We analyze various factors and work with clients to develop a plan to most effectively manage this debt.

Education Planning

We evaluate what education funds will be needed based on projected costs of higher education, depending on when the funds will be needed and what type of school is intended. Once we establish the funds that will be needed, we do an in depth analysis of funding these needs and what planning opportunities are available. We also evaluate what tax benefits are available and opportunities in scholarship and grants, given the client's financial circumstances.

Retirement Planning

We utilize state-of-the-art software to project retirement costs and develop a plan that optimizes the likelihood for our clients to enjoy their retirement years. This plan will include maximizing various “retirement” accounts and options to maximize social security benefits.

Cash Flow Planning

We analyze our client's' current expenses and annual budget and monitor spending to assure we are making appropriate assumptions in our financial plan. Also, we project long term cash flows to help clients visualize their opportunities and needs.

Tax Planning

While we are not accountants, we provide services to assist in projecting tax costs and make sure our clients are properly filing and receiving sound tax advice from their tax professional. Also, we manage investments and make retirement saving recommendations based upon each client's particular tax situation.

Insurance Needs Analysis

We review all insurance coverages and lapses and make recommendations based on individualized risk tolerance and financial circumstances.

Estate Needs Analysis

We provide an overview of estate needs and, if needed, provide references for qualified attorneys to make sure the client's needs are covered.

Business Succession Planning

We discuss our clients' intentions on their business interests and review the alternatives. If applicable, we will provide references for qualified attorneys to address these needs.

1Introductory Meeting

This complimentary 15 minute meeting can be conveniently booked directly through this website. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the prospective client's needs, describe the services that we provide, and discuss what will be needed prior to our “first meeting.” This introductory meeting can be virtual, by telephone, or in person.

2First Meeting

This meeting defines the responsibilities and expectations of both the advisor and the client. The relationship and timeline is defined at this stage. If agreeable to both parties, an advisory contract will be signed by both parties.

3Data Gathering

To begin the planning process, we will collect various data to ensure an appropriate framework. Most of the data gathering can be collected electronically; although, some information may include paperwork that will be collected in person or by mail.”

4Plan Creation

Once all data has been gathered, we will create a financial plan, which includes an action list and maximizes the likelihood of long-term life goal success. The plan will include recommendations for investment allocations based upon the client's risk tolerance and needs.

5Proposal

During this meeting, we will review the proposed plan and make adjustments, if necessary, based upon our review. Responsibilities are assigned for various functions in executing the agreed upon plans.

6Implementation

During this phase, all action items will be addressed in an appropriate timeliness. This is the stage where all of the work and preparation is put into motion. Different action items will have have different time frames. We will work with the client to insure that all items are addressed at the appropriate time.

7Monitoring

The monitoring stage begins as soon as the first action item of the plan is carried out. Monitoring includes making sure the recommended plan is carried out and also ensuring that any material facts that could alter the plan are well communicated. Both the advisor and the client have various responsibilities in monitoring the plan.

8Annual Reviews

We require a meeting annually to update risk tolerance, changes in long-term goals, lifestyle changes and update the plan. The annual meeting can be done either in person or virtually and will normally last 1-2 hours. We also recommend at least one informal update every six months to ensure both advisor and client are on the same page and the plan is still appropriate. The semi-annual update is less formal and can be done in person, virtual or over the phone and normally lasts about 15-30 minutes. If preferable to the client, we are available and enjoy the opportunity to meet more frequently. Lastly, we recommend any material life change to be communicated immediately.

Performance Reporting

A weekly report is generated displaying the change in overall value of the portfolio. Also, a quarterly report is generated, which presents performance at a portfolio level and across the asset classes.

Goal Monitoring

At our annual meeting, we will update goals and provide a fresh analysis of the likelihood of success. We will monitor the success probability on a rolling basis to maximize our probability of reaching our goals.

Stress Testing

We evaluate each client's specific vulnerabilities to different macro risks such as stock market crash, social security changes, inflation, etc. If a client has a large risk to a macro shock we evaluate alternatives to lower this risk.

Newsletter

We provide a weekly newsletter with timely and important articles to keep our client base well informed.

Online Vault

We provide clients with an online vault for secure storage and transmission of important financial documents.

Financial Planning Software

We provide clients with access to one of the leading financial planning software providers.

Account Aggregation

We provide clients with account aggregation, even accounts not held at our firm. Clients will benefit by being able to view their complete picture, always having access to an up-to-date financial plan, and also being able to view performance of their entire household.

Cash Flow Comparisons

At our annual meeting, we will review our projected costs and actual costs and determine if there is any planning that can optimize cash flow.

On-Demand Availability

Meeting times are readily available and easily booked right on our website.

We offer two different models for our clients.

Assets under Management (AUM)

A traditional fee model that enables us to fully serve our clients with investment advice and financial planning services. Clients under the AUM model get full investment management and financial planning services. Our fees are 1.00% of assets that we manage. Our custodial partner is TD Ameritrade Institutional.

Monthly Retainer Model

We offer a customized monthly retainer model dependent on the services needed and the complexity of the plan. Clients under the monthly retainer model receive full financial planning services, including investment advice. However, since the client accounts are not custodied with us, we are unable to offer our investment management services. There is an initial upfront cost of $1000 to create a financial plan and then a recurring monthly fee of $150.

"A goal without a plan is just a wish."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery

News

Client Center

These two questionnaires are quick, free and can be completed without any obligation. The personal risk score button will help you identify how much risk you can tolerate in your portfolio. The financial longevity button will give an indication on how long your finances will last into retirement. We would love to discuss your results with you, we welcome you to schedule a complimentary introductory meeting with us.

Personal Risk Score

Financial Longevity

TD Ameritrade Institutional