Financial Advantage Inc (Columbia)


Financial Advantage Inc is a large advisory firm based in Columbia. It manages $328.58 million of regulatory assets for 804 client accounts. It has been registered with the SEC as an adviser since 2001 and has operated in the jurisdictions of Florida, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and 3 other states.

Financial Advantage provides financial planning services, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and pension consulting services. It prepares financial plans for more than 100 clients. On top of advisory services, the firm doesn't engage in other business activities.

Financial Advantage: assets under management

The assets under management (AUM) of Financial Advantage Inc is $328.58 million, all of which is managed in discretionary accounts. The firm's AUM has grown by 291% since the beginning of its operation, and $2.2 million of the total AUM is attributable to clients outside of the United States.

The firm manages $328.58 million in discretionary accounts. On average, the discretionary accounts where all decisions are made on behalf of the client hold $408.68 thousand each.
Financial Advantage has custody of $119.02 million in cash and securities for 225 clients in total but doesn’t act as a qualified custodian.

Investments

The firm invests in investment and business development companies the most. They account for 60% of the total AUM. The second-largest asset type is exchange traded securities, which make up 26% of the firm’s portfolio. Investments in cash and cash equivalents form 7% of the total invested assets.

Fees & Commissions

The advisory firm has several streams of revenue. Clients pay Financial Advantage Inc for their services and products based on a percentage of assets under management, hourly charges, and fixed fees. Compensation based on assets under management promotes a long-term relationship between a client and the adviser and helps align mutual interests. These fees don’t include brokerage commissions, interest, taxes, and other account expenses.

What kind of clients Lyn A. Dippel serves?

The firm provides services to individuals, charitable organizations, high net worth individuals, and pension and profit sharing plans. The largest group of clients of Lyn A. Dippel is high net worth individuals with 113 clients and $254.74 million of assets under management. Among the 13 most similar advisory firms, Financial Advantage has the 4th highest percentage of high net worth individuals out of all clients.

The amount of regulatory assets under management is $328.58 million for 224 clients that can include trusts, estates, and 401(k) plans and IRAs of individuals and their family members. 1% of the firm’s clients are foreign persons or businesses.

Financial Advantage doesn't advise any private funds.

Careers at Financial Advantage Inc

The company employs 11 people that are either part- or full-time employees. 45 percent of the employees work as investment advisers or researchers. 4 employees are registered as investment adviser representatives with the state securities authorities.

There isn’t anyone with the role of looking for and bringing in new clients on behalf of the firm. The firm doesn’t compensate employees in addition to the salary for bringing in new clients. Employees don’t receive compensation from other entities for client referrals.

Lyn A. Dippel has been acting as President since 1 Jan 2007. J Michael Martin has served as the Chief Investment Officer since 1 Jul 1987. Mary Jeanne Thompson joined the executive team most recently as the Senior Financial Advisor.

Direct owners and executive officers


Name Entity Date acquired Ownership Employer ID
J Michael Martin Chief investment officer 1 Jul 1987 50% - 75% 321273
John Michael Martin Chairman 1 Jul 1987 25% - 50% 321273
Mary Elizabeth Martin Vice president 1 Jul 1987 Other 4336076
Joan Goldschmidt Miller Financial planner 1 Apr 1998 Other 2335769
Joan Goldschmidt Browne Compliance officer 1 Apr 1998 Other 2335769
Christopher Paul Parr Vice president 1 Apr 2001 Other 2430220
Lyn A. Dippel President/chief compliance officer 1 Jan 2007 Other 4429564
Lyn Ann Dippel President/chief compliance officer 1 Jan 2007 Other 4429564
Chad Joseph Norfolk Vp 1 Jan 2007 Other 3184071
Curtis Richard Gross Principal 1 Jun 2012 Other 3051771
Curtis Richard Gross Treasurer 1 Jan 2013 Other 3051771
Andrew L Smith Chief technology officer 1 Jan 2014 Other 6382600
Andrew Lee Smith Chief technology officer 1 Jan 2014 Other 6382600
Mark O'neal Stinson Senior advisor 1 Mar 2016 Other 4541132
Mary Jeanne Thompson Senior financial advisor 1 May 2016 Other 6020089
Mary J Thompson Senior financial advisor 1 May 2016 Other 6020089

Based in Columbia

The principal office where Financial Advantage Inc performs its advisory services is located at 10211 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044 3308, which is also the mailing address of the firm. It doesn’t run an office outside of the United States.

You can reach the main office by calling the phone number 410-715-9200 or by fax 410-715-9202. The normal business hours are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Monday - Friday. You can find more information about the New York firm at investfai.com/.