Harrison Small Business Spotlight: Fifth Set Investments Advisors

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

• Business: Fifth Set Investments Advisors LLC
• Owner: Ian A. Post, CFA
• Websites: www.fifthsetinvestment.com and www.ianandrewpost.com
• Address: 600 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 400, Harrison, NY 10528

How did you come up with the name?

I am avid tennis player and I tied together the keys to success when a player gets to the fifth set of a tennis match to the need for discipline, preparation and planning for making smart investment and financial planning decisions.

Why start a business in this town?

My family is moving to Larchmont and Harrison is a convenient location for both clients and myself to get to.

What business are you in?

My firm manages client investment portfolios, develops solutions for college funding and retirement savings and makes sure client finances are in the best shape they can be in.

What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

Generally the most difficult challenge has been communicating the distinctions of FSIA compared to the rest of the “financial advisor” industry. As a Registered Investment Advisor, FSIA has a legal obligation to place client interests ahead of its own when managing client relationships. This stands in contrast to the vast majority of other financial advisors including those that work at major brokerage firms and insurance companies. Advisors employed at those companies are generally not obligated to place client interests ahead of their own. In addition, the FSIA investment philosophy is drawn from conclusions based on academic finance which strongly suggests that low costs, tax efficiency and diversification are the factors that add the most value to client investment results. This stands in contrast to the strategies most often marketed to investors which are typically driven by market forecasts, market timing and stock picking. The high costs, high risk and tax inefficiency inherent in these strategies most often lead to poor investment results for investors.

What’s been your proudest achievement since opening?

My proudest achievement has been improving client portfolios by constructing low-cost, tax- efficient portfolios that are simpler, more transparent and tied together with an understandable investment strategy. In addition, helping clients improve their overall finances by providing recommendations and solutions for saving for college, insurance and retirement planning has been highly rewarding for me and reassuring for my clients.

How does your business give back to the community?

We are new to the community but I envision helping to develop financial educational programs for the community going forward.

Would you like to see your small business showcased in this series? Email wendy.mitchell@ patch.com.