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Nicholas Wealth Management Review

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This review was produced by SmartAsset based on publicly available information. The named firm and its financial professionals have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed this review and are not responsible for its accuracy. Review content is produced by SmartAsset independently of any business relationships that might exist between SmartAsset and the named firm and its financial professionals, and firms and financial professionals having business relationships with SmartAsset receive no special treatment or consideration in SmartAsset’s reviews. This page contains links to SmartAsset’s financial advisor matching tool, which may or may not match you with the firm mentioned in this review or its financial professionals.

Nicholas Management is a financial advisory firm based in Marietta. Nicholas, which appears on SmartAsset's list of the top-rated advisors in Marietta, primarily serves individual investors without a high net worth, though it does have some high-net-worth individual clients.

This is a fee-based firm, which means that some of the on-staff advisors here can earn commissions from third-parties for the sale of certain insurance products or securities. This differs from fee-only firms, which derive all of their income from the fees that clients pay.

Nicholas Wealth Management Background

Nicholas Wealth Management was established in 2016 by David Nicholas, who remains the firm’s principal owner and president. Nicholas got his start in the financial advisor industry in 2005, and he holds a master's degree in financial planning from the University of Georgia. While the firm's legal name is BluePath Capital Management, LLC, it conducts business as Nicholas Wealth Management.

Nicholas Wealth Management Client Types and Account Minimums

Most Nicholas Wealth Management clients do not have a high net worth. However, the firm also works with some high-net-worth individuals too.

The firm has a minimum account size requirement of $250,000.

Services Offered by Nicholas Wealth Management

Nicholas Wealth Management offers a number of services, most of which are related to portfolio management and financial planning. Its offerings include:

  • Portfolio management
    • Personal investment policy creation
    • Risk tolerance determination
    • Investment strategies
    • Asset allocation
    • Asset selection
    • Regular portfolio monitoring and rebalances
    • Third-party investment management
  • Financial planning
    • Investment planning
    • Retirement planning
    • Tax minimization
    • Life insurance and risk management
    • College fund planning
    • Debt/credit planning
  • Specific investment type advice regarding:
    • Mutual funds
    • Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
    • Fixed income securities
    • Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
    • Equities
    • Hedge funds
    • Private equity funds
    • Inflation-linked bonds
    • Commodities
    • Non-U.S. securities
    • Venture capital funds
    • Private placements

Nicholas Wealth Management Investment Philosophy

The firm does not implement a singular investment strategy. Instead, it combines parts of five different strategies to meet clients’ unique needs. These five strategies include long-term trading, short-term trading, margin transactions, options transactions and short sales.

Even though the firm is generally focused on generating long-term returns for clients, it does engage in some short-term strategies. This is usually done to increase a portfolio’s liquidity, which can be beneficial for clients who require cash at a moment’s notice.

Fees Under Nicholas Wealth Management

The firm has two distinct fee schedules: one for its wrap fee program and another for its non-wrap portfolio management service. The wrap fee program rolls all fees for the firm’s services and other additional charges into a single, holistic rate to simplify clients’ costs. Wrap fees are charged every month. The firm determines clients’ exact monthly fees based on the value of their assets under management on the last day of the previous month.

Wrap Fee Programs
Total AUM Annual Fee
Up to $500,000 2.00%
$500,001 - $1,000,000 1.85%
$1,000,001 - $2,000,000 1.50%
Above $2,000,000 1.00%

While the annual rates for Nicholas' non-wrap portfolio management services are lower, this rate does not include account transaction costs, trading costs and other miscellaneous charges. All portfolio management fees are charged to clients’ accounts on a monthly basis.

Non-Wrap Portfolio Management Fees
Total AUM Annual Fee
Up to $1,000,000 1.50%
$1,000,000 - $3,000,000 1.25%
$3,000,000 and up 1.00%

The firm does charge performance-based fees for some client accounts. These clients are charged an annual fee of 1% of assets under management, as well as a 20% performance fee based on capital appreciation. This fee only applies to any growth beyond what the firm calls your portfolio’s “high water mark.” This is defined as the highest value of your AUM at any given time. For example, if your account performs so well that it reaches a record high, you’ll be charged a 20% performance-based fee on the difference between your new and old high water mark.

The firm charges hourly fees for its financial planning services. Rates are negotiable and range between $250 to $1,000 per hour.

What to Watch Out For

Note that Nicholas Wealth Management is a fee-based firm, which means that some of its advisors do have an opportunity to receive commissions when they sell certain insurance products or securities to clients. Although this represents a potential conflict of interest, the firm is a fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in your best interest at all times.

Nicholas Wealth Management does not have any disclosures listed in its SEC-filed Form ADV.

Opening an Account With Nicholas Wealth Management

Stop by Nicholas Wealth Management’s office in Marietta if you’re interested in working with the firm. Try setting up an appointment by calling (404) 890-5606 or sending an email to info@nicholaswealth.com.

Tips for Selecting a Financial Advisor

  • Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. Many people find it difficult to select a financial advisor, considering there are so many certifications, services and other factors to take into account during your search. 
  • Fiduciary is one of the most important terms within the financial advisor sphere. This title indicates that an advisor is bound by law to act in your best interest under all circumstances. All firms registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are bound by fiduciary duty.

How Long $1mm Lasts in Retirement

SmartAsset's interactive map highlights places where $1 million will last the longest in retirement. Zoom between states and the national map to see the top spots in each region. Also, scroll over any city to learn about the cost of living in retirement for that location.

Least
Most
Rank City Housing Expenses Food Expenses Healthcare Expenses Utilities Expenses Transportation Expenses

Methodology We analyzed data on average expenditures for seniors, cost of living and investment returns to determine how many years of retirement a $1 million nest egg would cover in cities across America.

First, we looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on the average annual expenditures of seniors. We then applied cost of living data from the Council for Community and Economic Research to adjust those national average spending levels based on the costs of each expense category (housing, food, healthcare, utilities, transportation and other) in each city. Using this data, SmartAsset calculated the average cost of living for retirees in the largest U.S. cities.

We assumed the $1 million would grow at a real return (interest minus inflation) of 2%. Then, we divided $1 million by the sum of each of those annual numbers to determine how long $1 million would cover retirement expenses in each of the cities in our study. Cities where $1 million lasted the longest ranked the highest in the study.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Council for Community and Economic Research