Crawford Investment Counsel is an investment management and financial planning firm with billions in assets under management (AUM). This Atlanta-based financial advisory practice works with both individual clients and institutional investors. As a fee-only firm, Crawford's revenue comes solely from the advisory fees that clients pay, not commissions for recommending third-party products and services.
Crawford Investment Counsel Background
Crawford Investment Counsel first opened its doors in 1980. It currently is owned by founder John H. Crawford III, John H. Crawford IV, David B. Crawford and the Crawford Investment Counsel Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Crawford III serves as chairman and chief investment officer (CIO). His sons, who own the rest of the firm and joined in the 1990s, serve in leadership positions.
The Crawford staff features advisors and employees with a variety of professional designations, including chartered financial analysts (CFA), certified investment management analysts (CIMA), Certified Financial Planners™ (CFP®) and certified public accountants (CPA).
Crawford Investment Counsel Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes
In addition to individuals and high-net-worth individuals, Crawford Investment Counsel works with investment companies, pension and profit-sharing plans, charitable organizations, municipalities, insurance companies, corporations and unions.
Crawford imposes different account minimums based on the asset class. They are listed in the table below:
| Investment Strategy | Account Minimum |
| Equity only | $2 million |
| Balanced | $2 million |
| Fixed income | $5 million |
Services Offered by Crawford Investment Counsel
Crawford Investment Counsel provides discretionary investment management services tailored to a wide range of clients, including individuals, institutions and retirement plans. The firm primarily offers ongoing portfolio management, where it continuously monitors accounts and makes investment decisions aligned with each client’s goals and constraints. Services are delivered through traditional separate accounts, wrap fee programs, registered investment companies (mutual funds) and model-based programs.
Clients may place reasonable restrictions on their portfolios, and the firm customizes its approach accordingly. In addition to managing assets directly, Crawford also serves as an advisor or sub-advisor in certain programs and provides model portfolios to third-party platforms, though it may not implement trades in those cases.
Crawford Investment Counsel Investment Philosophy
Crawford Investment Counsel follows a long-term, value-oriented investment philosophy focused on generating total return with an emphasis on income. The firm favors high-quality, dividend-paying companies, believing they offer more consistent returns, lower business risk and reliable income over time.
Its approach relies on fundamental, bottom-up research to identify undervalued securities. Portfolios are typically fully invested and diversified across equities and fixed income, with fixed income strategies emphasizing capital preservation and income through high-quality bonds.
Fees Under Crawford Investment Counsel
Crawford Investment Counsel charges fees as a percentage of client assets under management (AUM). The current fee schedules are below:
Balanced and equity only accounts
| Market Value of Portfolio | Annual Fee |
| First $3MM | 1.00% |
| More than $3MM | 0.50% |
Fixed Income Only
| Market Value of Portfolio | Annual Fee |
| First $5MM | 0.40% |
| Next $5MM | 0.35% |
| Balance of More than $10MM | 0.30% |
The firm bills these fees quarterly in advance, based on the market value of your account at the beginning of the quarter.
However, you should be aware that these advisory fees are separate from external expenses your account may face. These include transaction costs paid to the custodian, brokers and third-party consultants.
For clients who want just one bundled fee, the firm also offers a wrap-fee program. Clients generally pay 1% to 2.5% of their AUM and that fee covers management fees, custodian fees and transaction costs.
What to Watch Out For
According to Crawford Investment Counsel’s Form ADV, the firm has one regulatory disclosure on its SEC record. This is in relation to an advisory affiliate of the firm.
Opening an Account With Crawford Investment Counsel
Interested in opening an account with Crawford Investment Counsel? Visit the firm's website and click on the "Contact" tab and fill out the General Inquiries form. Otherwise, you can call the firm's headquarters at (770) 859-0045.
Tips for Finding the Right Financial Advisor
- Finding a financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with 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.
- Don’t forget to ask a potential advisor questions about certifications, industry credentials and their fiduciary status. Advisors working as fiduciaries are legally obligated to provide advice only in the best interests of their clients.
All information was accurate as of the writing of this article.
