GETTING STARTED SECTION

How do I schedule a consultation with Sentient Financial?

Scheduling a consultation is simple. You can book a 20-minute discovery call directly through our website at Book a Fit Call, or call us at (949) 305-5836 or email Patrick at Patrick@SentientFinancialLLC.com. During this call, we'll discuss your financial goals and determine if we're a good fit to work together.

Is the initial consultation free?

Yes, the initial 20-30 minute discovery call is completely free with no obligation. This gives us both a chance to see if we're aligned on goals and working style before moving forward.

What is the minimum investment to work with Sentient Financial?

Our typical minimum for investment management services is $500,000 in investable assets (as of 2025). However, we also offer Planning-Only services starting at $2,700 per plan for clients who prefer to manage their own investments but want professional guidance and strategy.

What happens during the first meeting?

Your first full meeting (60–90 minutes, in person or virtual) covers:

• Your financial situation and goals

• Current investments and retirement plans

• Tax situation and major life changes

• Next steps and what working together would look like

Does Sentient Financial offer virtual meetings?

Yes. We offer both in-person and virtual meetings, so you can work with us from anywhere.

How often will I meet with my advisor?

Most clients meet quarterly or annually for reviews, with extra check-ins as needed for life events, tax planning, or market changes. You can also contact us by phone or email anytime.

Can I transfer my existing accounts to Sentient Financial?

Yes. We help transfer brokerage accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, and more. The process is digital and typically takes 1–2 weeks (sometimes just a few days for IRAs). We handle most of the paperwork for you.

How long does it take to get started with Sentient Financial?

From your initial consultation to full account setup and investment, the process usually takes 1–3 weeks, including paperwork, transfers, and building your personalized strategy.

ABOUT PATRICK & SENTIENT FINANCIAL

Who is Patrick Thompson?

Patrick Thompson is the founder of Sentient Financial LLC and an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA®) with over 18 years of experience. He specializes in financial planning and investment management, helping individuals and families make confident decisions. Patrick takes a personalized, fiduciary approach—tailoring strategies to each client’s unique goals and circumstances.

What is The Sentient Approach?

The Sentient Approach is Sentient Financial’s comprehensive wealth management process. Developed from decades of experience, it focuses on understanding each client’s unique financial landscape, anticipating challenges, and creating a personalized strategy. This approach coordinates investment management, retirement planning, tax optimization, and wealth preservation to help you reach your specific goals.

How long has Sentient Financial been in business?

Sentient Financial LLC was founded in 2012 and is a California State Registered Investment Advisory firm. Patrick Thompson has provided financial advisory services since 2007 (over 18 years as of 2025).

Can Sentient Financial work with Clients outside of California?

Yes, Sentient Financial LLC can work with clients in all U.S. states. As a Registered Investment Advisory firm, they are able to provide services to clients across the country

SERVICES & SPECIALIZATION

What types of clients does Sentient Financial typically work with?

Sentient Financial primarily serves:

• Individuals and families seeking comprehensive financial planning

• Pre-retirees and retirees looking for strategic guidance in retirement

• Business owners managing complex financial needs

• High-net-worth individuals who value coordinated wealth management

Most clients have $500,000 or more in investable assets and appreciate the peace of mind that comes from working with a fiduciary advisor.

Do you work with business owners?

Yes. Sentient Financial works with business owners on:

• Retirement plan selection (e.g., SEP IRA, Solo 401(k))

• Tax-efficient compensation strategies

• Business succession planning

• Coordinating personal and business financial goals

What makes Sentient Financial different from other advisors?

Sentient Financial stands out for:

• Fiduciary duty: We are legally required to put your interests first at all times.

• Holistic planning: We coordinate all aspects of your financial life, not just investments.

• Transparent, tiered fees: As your wealth grows, your percentage fee decreases.

• Personal attention: Founder Patrick Thompson personally works with every client—you’ll never be handed off to a junior advisor.

FEES & BILLING

Are there any additional fees beyond the advisory fee?

Our advisory fee covers all financial planning and investment management services. However, your investments may have underlying fund expenses (expense ratios), typically ranging from 0.05% to 0.50% depending on the funds selected. We prioritize low-cost, tax-efficient investments to minimize these expenses.
There are no hidden fees, commissions, or transaction charges.

Can I cancel services at any time?

Yes. You can cancel our advisory agreement at any time with written notice. If you cancel mid-quarter (we bill quarterly in advance), you’ll receive a prorated refund for any unused portion.
There are no cancellation penalties or exit fees.

Do you earn commissions on investments you recommend?

No. As a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor, we do not receive commissions, kickbacks, or third-party compensation for investment recommendations. Our only compensation comes directly from our clients, ensuring our advice is always in your best interest and free from conflicts of interest.

Does the 1% apply to my whole portfolio forever?

No. We use a tiered structure where the percentage goes down as your portfolio grows:

First $500K → 1.00%
Next $500K → 0.80%
Next $1M → 0.60%
…down to 0.30% over $5M

You only pay the stated percentage on the amount within each tier.

Why is a 1% fee worth it? What am I really paying for?

You’re not just paying for investment management—you’re gaining a fiduciary partner. Our fee includes full-spectrum support: retirement income planning, tax optimization, portfolio design, estate coordination, and strategic decision-making. We help you avoid costly mistakes, capture opportunities, and make smarter, more confident financial decisions.

Can’t I use a robo-advisor or manage it myself for less?

Yes—and that might work if you only need basic portfolio rebalancing. But most of our clients want more than a formula. They want personalized tax guidance, tailored retirement strategies, and a real human to call when things get complicated. That’s where we come in.

What if I don’t want investment management? Do you offer planning-only services?

Yes. For clients who prefer to manage their own accounts, we offer a Planning-Only tier—designed to give you high-level advice without ongoing asset management. This starts at $2,700/plan and goes up depending on complexity. This includes retirement planning, tax strategy, account allocation guidance, and regular check-ins for a flat annual or monthly fee.

How are fees billed? Do I have to write a check?

No checks needed. We bill quarterly, in advance, and deduct fees directly from your investment account—securely and transparently. You’ll always receive an invoice showing exactly what you’re paying.

TECHNICAL & PROCESS QUESTIONS

What investment platform or custodian do you use?

We use Altruist Financial to safeguard your investments. Your assets are held securely at a regulated, reputable institution—not directly with our firm.

• SIPC Protection: Your brokerage accounts are covered by SIPC insurance up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for cash), with additional coverage above these limits.

• FDIC Insurance: Uninvested cash can be swept into multiple FDIC-insured banks, providing up to $3 million in FDIC protection for individual and trust accounts and up to $6 million for joint accounts.

• 24/7 Access: You can view your accounts anytime, online or through the Altruist mobile app.

• Data Security: Altruist uses advanced encryption and privacy safeguards to protect your personal and financial information.

For more details, see Altruist Security Disclosures and FDIC Coverage.

How do you communicate with clients?

We're flexible based on your preference. Communication includes scheduled quarterly meetings (video or in-person), phone calls, email, and secure messaging through our client portal. For urgent matters, Patrick is available by phone. You'll also receive regular portfolio updates and market commentary.

What happens to my accounts if something happens to Patrick?

As part of our business continuity plan, we have arrangements with other qualified advisors to ensure your accounts continue to be managed professionally in the event of an unexpected circumstance. This information is detailed in our advisory agreement.

Financial Concepts Explained

What is a Fiduciary?

A fiduciary is a person or organization legally and ethically required to act in the best interests of their client. In finance, this means:

• Putting your needs first: Recommendations must be based on what’s best for you, not what benefits the advisor.

• Full transparency: Fiduciaries must clearly disclose fees, conflicts of interest, and how they’re compensated.

• Avoiding conflicts: They are obligated to avoid or clearly disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Example:
A fiduciary financial advisor will recommend investments that best fit your goals and risk tolerance, even if it means lower compensation for themselves.

What is a Registered Investment Advisor?

A Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) is a financial professional or firm registered with the SEC or state regulators and held to a fiduciary standard—they must always act in your best interests.

• Services: RIAs provide investment management, retirement planning, and tax strategies.

• Compensation: Most RIAs are fee-only or fee-based, earning revenue through flat fees, hourly rates, or a percentage of assets under management (AUM)—not commissions on product sales.

• Transparency: RIAs must clearly disclose fees and any potential conflicts of interest.

Key difference:
Unlike brokers, RIAs do not earn commissions for selling financial products, helping ensure their advice is aligned with your needs.

What is Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA®)

An Accredited Wealth Management Advisor™ (AWMA®) is a financial professional with specialized training in wealth accumulation, preservation, and distribution—especially for high-net-worth clients. Awarded by the College for Financial Planning, the AWMA® designation requires:

• Completion of advanced coursework and a certification exam

• Ongoing education and adherence to strict ethical standards

AWMA® professionals are experts in investment management, tax planning, retirement strategies, estate planning, and risk management.

Why work with an AWMA®?
They can provide tailored strategies to help you grow, protect, and transfer your wealth efficiently.

What is tax planning?

Tax planning is the process of arranging your finances to minimize your tax liability and maximize savings, both now and in the future. Financial advisors use tax planning to help you keep more of what you earn while staying compliant with tax laws.

Common tax planning strategies include:

• Choosing the right retirement accounts (e.g., Roth vs. Traditional IRAs)

• Managing investment gains and losses to reduce taxable income

• Timing income and deductions for tax efficiency

• Implementing Roth conversions, charitable giving, and tax-efficient withdrawals

Effective tax planning is personalized to your goals and financial situation.

Retirement Account Questions

What’s the difference between a traditional IRA and a Roth IRA?

The main difference is tax treatment:

• Traditional IRA: Contributions may be tax-deductible, and growth is tax-deferred. You pay income tax on withdrawals in retirement and must start required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 73.

• Roth IRA: Funded with after-tax dollars. Growth and withdrawals in retirement are tax-free, and there are no required minimum distributions.

Can I roll my 401k into an IRA?

Yes, you can roll your 401(k) into an IRA without taxes or penalties if you do a direct rollover.

• Traditional IRA: Keeps your retirement savings tax-deferred.

• Roth IRA: You’ll pay taxes on pre-tax funds now, but future growth and withdrawals are tax-free.

• Benefits: More investment options, potentially lower fees, and greater control over your account.

Can I roll my Roth 401k into a Roth IRA

Yes, you can roll your Roth 401(k) into a Roth IRA tax-free if done correctly.

• Both accounts offer tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement.

• Roth IRAs do not have required minimum distributions (RMDs), giving you more flexibility.

What is a SEP IRA?

A SEP IRA is a retirement plan for small business owners and self-employed individuals.

• Allows tax-deductible contributions up to 25% of compensation or $66,000 (2025 limit).

• Contributions grow tax-deferred.

• Employers must contribute equally for all eligible employees, including themselves.

• Easy to set up and flexible for varying contribution amounts each year.

What is a Solo 401(k)?

A Solo 401(k) is a retirement plan for self-employed individuals or business owners with no employees (except a spouse).

• Contribute up to $22,500 as employee + up to 25% of compensation as employer, up to $66,000 total ($73,500 if age 50+ in 2025).

• Choose between Traditional (tax-deferred) or Roth (tax-free) contributions.

• Option to take loans from the plan.

What is holistic financial planning?

Holistic financial planning is a comprehensive approach that considers every aspect of your financial life—income, expenses, savings, investments, taxes, insurance, retirement, and estate planning.

• The goal is to create a cohesive strategy that aligns with your long-term goals and ensures all areas of your finances work together for financial security.

Education & Legacy Planning

What is a 529 College Savings Account?

A 529 College Savings Account is a tax-advantaged plan designed to help families save for education expenses.

• Tax benefits: Contributions grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education costs (like tuition, books, and fees).

• New rules: Unused 529 funds can now be rolled into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary, up to a $35,000 lifetime cap, if certain requirements are met.

What is a Custodial Account?

A custodial account is a financial account set up by an adult to manage assets for a minor until they reach the age of majority (typically 18 or 21).

• Types:

  • UGMA holds assets like stocks, bonds, and cash.

  • UTMA can also include real estate and other property.

• Key features: Contributions are irrevocable, and all funds must be used for the benefit of the minor.

Last Updated: October 2025

Still have questions? Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your specific situation:

Online: Book a Fit Call

Call: (949) 305-5836

Email: Patrick@SentientFinancialLLC.com

Sentient Financial LLC
California State Registered Investment Advisory Firm
Serving clients nationwide