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Ropes Wealth Advisors 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.

Ropes Wealth Advisors says it prides itself on the core values of integrated perspective, uncompromising integrity, effective stewardship, generational continuity, sustainable investment results, communication and education. Another distinguishing feature about the financial advisor is that it has a relatively small number of advisors managing billions in assets.

Ropes Wealth Advisors is a fee-only firm serving both retail and institutional clients. The firm charges asset-based fees, hourly fees and fixed fees for its advisory services. 

Ropes Wealth Advisors’ team includes two certified financial planners (CFPs) and a chartered financial analyst (CFA). The firm also appears on our ranking of the top financial advisors in Boston

Ropes Wealth Advisors Background

Ropes Wealth Advisors began its operations in 2013 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ropes & Gray, LLP. The firm became a registered investment advisor (RIA) in 2014.

Michelle A. Knight is the firm’s chief executive officer (CEO) and chief economist. 

Ropes Wealth Advisors Client Types and Minimum Account Sizes

This firm manages portfolios for high-net-worth individuals, individuals, trusts, estates, pension and profit sharing plans, charitable organizations business entities.

Ropes Wealth Advisors doesn’t have a minimum account size requirement.

Services Offered by Ropes Wealth Advisors

Ropes Wealth Advisors offers the following services:

  • Financial planning
  • Portfolio management
  • Custom fixed income and cash management
  • Custody services
  • Consulting services
  • Selection of other advisors (including private fund managers)

Ropes Wealth Advisors Investment Philosophy 

Ropes Wealth Advisors’ investment approach incorporates customization, transparency, institutional quality, risk management and tax sensitivity, according to its website. The firm says it controls risk through asset allocation, offering seven different allocation strategies: fixed income only, conservative, moderately conservative, balanced, growth, aggressive growth and equity only. 

The firm mainly invests in exchange-traded equity securities, U.S. government agency bonds, U.S. state and local bonds, investment-grade corporate bonds, securities issued by registered investment companies, securities issued by pooled investment vehicles, cash and cash equivalents.

Ropes Wealth Advisors Fees

Ropes Wealth Advisors offers the following standard fee schedule for its investment advisory services:

Ropes Wealth Advisors Investment Advisory Fees
Amount of assets Annual fee
On the first $1,000,000 1.25%
On the next $4,000,000 0.95%
On the next $5,000,000 0.60%
Over $10,000,000 0.40%

 

*Estimated investment management fees do not include brokerage, custodial, third-party manager or other fees, which can vary in amount.
Estimated Investment Management Fees at Ropes Wealth Advisors*
Your Assets Ropes Wealth Advisors Fee Amount
$500K $6,250
$1MM $12,500
$5MM $50,500
$10MM $80,500

Learn more about advisors' typical costs here.

What to Watch Out For

There isn’t much to be wary of when it comes to this firm. Ropes Wealth Advisors doesn’t have any disclosures reported on its Form ADV. The firm also doesn’t require a minimum account size and it doesn’t charge any hidden fees for its investment services. 

Opening an Account with Ropes Wealth Advisors 

You can set up an account with Ropes Wealth Advisors by visiting the firm’s Boston office or you can call an advisor at (617) 235-4260.

All information is accurate as of the writing of this article.

Investing Tips for Beginners

  • If you sell any stocks or assets like real estate, you’ll likely be charged capital gains taxes on your profits. However, capital gains taxes vary by location. If you’re not sure how much you’ll be charged on your investment income, our capital gains tax calculator can help. 
  • Finding a qualified 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 free introductory calls 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.

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