Fee Only Investment Management
Personalized Investment Management Built Around Your Goals
At Di Bello Financial, we provide personalized investment management for high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, executives, and retirees who value a disciplined, tax-aware approach to building and preserving wealth.
As a fee-only fiduciary, we receive no commissions or compensation from investment products. Every recommendation is made solely in your best interest and coordinated with your broader financial and tax strategy.
Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all portfolios, we tailor every investment strategy to your objectives, risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and long-term financial goals.
Want to learn how we research investments and build portfolios?
Visit our Our Investment Process page for a detailed overview of our investment philosophy and methodology.
What We Provide
Our investment management services include:
- Personalized portfolio management
- Active investment oversight
- Tax-efficient investment strategies
- Retirement income planning
- Risk management and portfolio rebalancing
- Coordination with financial and tax planning
- Ongoing performance reporting
- Direct communication with your advisor
Why Fee-Only Matters
As a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor, our compensation comes exclusively from our clients—not from commissions or product sales.
That means our advice is designed around your financial objectives rather than incentives tied to investment products.
Integrated Investment & Tax Planning
One of the defining characteristics of our firm is the integration of investment management with proactive tax planning.
As both a CPA/PFS and CFP® professional, Annette Di Bello evaluates investment decisions alongside their tax consequences to help clients make more informed long-term financial decisions.
Our advice may include:
- Tax-loss harvesting
- Capital gain planning
- Roth conversion coordination
- Asset location strategies
- Withdrawal planning
- Charitable giving strategies
- Concentrated stock planning
Who We Serve
Our clients commonly include:
- High-net-worth individuals and families
- Business owners
- Corporate executives
- Physicians and other professionals
- Retirees
- Individuals approaching retirement
- Investors with concentrated stock positions
Many clients come to us seeking an advisor who can coordinate investments, taxes, retirement planning, and long-term wealth management under one relationship.
Independent Custody
Client assets remain in accounts held directly with an independent third-party custodian, including Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
We do not take custody of client assets.
This structure provides:
- Independent account custody
- Direct client access to accounts
- Transparent reporting
- Separation between asset custody and investment management
- An additional layer of accountability
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you actively manage portfolios?
Yes. Portfolios are reviewed continuously and adjusted when appropriate as client circumstances, market conditions, and tax considerations evolve.
Do you use mutual funds?
No, we use individual securities and low-cost ETFs to provide flexibility, transparency, and tax efficiency.
Can investment management be coordinated with tax planning?
Yes. Coordinating investment decisions with proactive tax planning is one of the defining characteristics of our firm.
Who do you typically work with?
We primarily serve affluent individuals, families, business owners, executives, professionals, and retirees seeking personalized investment management.
Learn More About Our Investment Process
Investment management is more than selecting investments. Learn how we conduct research, construct portfolios, manage risk, integrate tax strategy, and monitor investments over time.
→ Explore Our Investment Process
How We Build Tax-Efficient Portfolios | Why We Use Individual Stocks Instead of Relying Primarily on Mutual Funds | Tax Strategy | Investment Management Planning Scenarios | Tax-Loss Harvesting for High-Net-Worth Investors | Fees | Changing Financial Advisors with Large Unrealized Gains | Orange County fee-only financial advisor
Written by Annette Di Bello, CPA/PFS, CFP®
Founder & President, Di Bello Financial
Investment Management at a Glance
Our Approach
Fee-Only Fiduciary
Independent advice with recommendations made solely in your best interest.
Tax-Smart Investing
Investment decisions are coordinated with proactive tax planning to help improve after-tax outcomes.
Customized Portfolios
Every portfolio is designed around your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and income needs.
Individual Stocks & Bonds
Direct ownership provides greater transparency, tax flexibility, and control than many mutual fund portfolios.
Low-Cost ETFs
Used strategically to provide diversified exposure where appropriate while keeping investment expenses low.
Risk-Based Asset Allocation
Diversified portfolios are constructed to align with your objectives while managing overall portfolio risk.
Active Monitoring
Portfolios are reviewed continuously for investment opportunities, market developments, tax strategies, and rebalancing needs.
Long-Term Perspective
We focus on disciplined investing rather than reacting to short-term market fluctuations.
Ideal Clients
- High-net-worth individuals and families
- Business owners
- Corporate executives
- Professionals
- Individuals approaching retirement
- Retirees seeking tax-efficient income strategies
Investment Philosophy
Our objective is to help clients build and preserve wealth through disciplined portfolio management, tax-efficient investing, and personalized financial advice. By integrating investment management with comprehensive financial planning and advanced tax strategy, we strive to improve long-term, after-tax outcomes while helping clients navigate changing markets with confidence.
No Custody
Client investment accounts are always held in client's name at an independent third-party custodian, such as Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. We do not take custody of client assets.
Being a Registered Investment Advisor without custody means that while we manage client investments and provide advice, we never take possession of client funds or securities.
- Client accounts remain in the client's own name.
- The custodian sends clients statements directly and provides online access 24/7.
- We can make trades and have Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. deduct the agreed-upon advisory fee, but we cannot withdraw or transfer money out of client accounts.
Only the client — the account owner — can move or withdraw funds through the custodian.
This separation of roles offers several key benefits:
- Transparency: Clients can see every trade and balance directly through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. website or app.
- Security: Client assets are held safely with a reputable financial institution.
- Control: Clients retain full authority over their money at all times.
- Accountability: Both the custodian and the advisor provide independent records, ensuring clarity and oversight.
As a Registered Investment Advisor, our responsibility is to act as a fiduciary — meaning we are legally and ethically required to act in the client's best interest. Our focus is on the client's investment strategy, financial goals, and long-term success — not on holding client funds.