ABOUT US
Hello!
I’m your founder and resident money expert, Michal Skowronski. I’m a Fiduciary and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ here to help you avoid costly mistakes and make managing money simple.
I founded Skylark Wealth to strike the ideal balance for personal financial services combining the latest in technology with fiduciary-level personal service alongside a fee structure that properly aligns incentives toward mutual long-term success.
Skylark’s open architecture allows me to serve clients wherever their assets may be held using the most suitable investments and to evolve the platform with the latest in technology without restriction or limitation. Skylark’s fee-only fiduciary model incentivizes me to do only that which is in the long-term best interest of my clients. In fact, I have signed a fiduciary oath to do so.
For 10 years prior I worked at a similarly structured Registered Investment Advisor that grew from $75mm to $1b in assets under management. During that time I earned the Certified Financial Planner designation.
Let’s create a bright future together and make money one less thing for you to worry about.
Michal Skowronski, CFP®
WHO WE HELP
I'M ABOUT TO RETIRE
- Medicare
- Social Security
- Long-term Care
- Portfolio withdrawals
I want to make sure I have enough.
I'M A BUSY PROFESSIONAL
- ESPPs, RSUs, ISOs, NQSOs, SSARs
- Health Savings Accounts
- 401(k), 403(b), Thrift Savings Plans
- Mega Backdoor Roth contributions
I want to get back the time and energy
I'm spending trying to figure this out myself.
I RECEIVED AN INHERITANCE
- Inherited IRAs/401(k)s
- Required Minimum Distributions
- Trusts
- Tax implications
What do I do now?
WHO ARE WE THE BEST FIT FOR
I want to outsource my finances to a professional I can trust
I want to communicate together with a professional
I want someone ethical who will act in my best interests at all times
I want to sleep better at night
I want to put myself in the best position to succeed
WHAT WILL WE WORK ON TOGETHER?
ENJOYING LIFE BOTH TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE
Life is short.
Let's make sure you're working on and achieving both your short-term and your long-term goals at the same time and not sacrificing one over the other.
BECOMING FINANCIALLY FREE
Feeling overwhelmed by your finances?
We'll empower you with the information you need to make the best financial decisions for you.
MINIMIZING YOUR TAXES
Maximize your tax planning opportunities including help with tax preparation.
Pay as little as you need to in taxes.
FINANCIAL PLANNING SPECIFIC TO YOU
Your goals are specific to you.
We'll clarify your goals and refine your strategy to make them happen.
PROTECTION
Let's not allow the potential risks of incapacity, liability or loss and the guaranteed reality of death be more financially and emotionally burdensome than they need to be.
AUTOMATION AND SIMPLIFICATION
“Everything should be as simple as it can be, but not simpler”
Understand where all of your money is going to help automate your cash flows and make sure that you're saving enough and/or spending sustainably.
Typical annual service calendar we'll work through together includes:
- It’s a new tax year. What needs to be updated?
- How can I simplify my finances?
- Please help me with my tax preparation.
- What are my current tax planning opportunities?
- How prepared am I for death or incapacity?
- How prepared am I for disability or loss?
- Am I saving enough? Am I spending sustainably?
- Are my investments aligned with my goals?
- Deep dive on planning topics specific to you (education planning, business planning, expatriate planning, real estate, etc.)
- Where is all of my money going?
- It’s open enrollment season. Am I taking full advantage of my employee and/or govt. benefits?
- End-of-year tax planning.
WHAT WILL IT FEEL LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER?
Minimize frustration
Peace of mind
Maximize your success
Remove your blind spots
Track your progress
Simplify your finances
HOW MUCH IS IT TO WORK TOGETHER?
INDEPENDENT FEE-ONLY FIDUCIARY
No hidden incentives to sell you a specific product or service.
Our business structure is designed to ensure your interests are always put first.
PROACTIVE SERVICE
No more barely ever hearing from your advisor.
Consistent communication and reporting throughout the year to help you optimize your applicable financial planning topics.
PERSONALIZED SERVICE
No 1-800 number.
Unrestricted email, phone, video and screen sharing allows us to communicate and collaborate together until each of your specific questions is resolved.
LOW CLIENT TO ADVISOR RATIO
No more limits on what you can talk about with your advisor.
We limit the number of clients each advisor takes on to around 50 so that we can devote the time and resources necessary to properly serve you throughout the year.
BUILD YOUR TEAM
If we can't help answer your question directly we'll build a team around you with professionals that can.
From tax preparers, estate planners, insurance providers, and mortgage/lending, to Medicare consultants etc.
We'll get direct answers to your questions from the specialists that know best.
ONE CLEAR FEE
No hidden fees.
Know what you're paying. Skylark receives no other forms of compensation from you other than your explicit management fee.
You will receive a detailed invoice each quarter.
Fees start at $1,500 per quarter*
*Equivalent to 0.99%/year on your initial $600,000 of eligible assets under management. For single non-self-employed individuals with basic investment management and financial planning service needs.
Additional fees for complexity including couples, families, expatriates, business owners, real estate, additional AUM, and unique financial planning needs.
HOW CAN I TRUST SKYLARK WITH MY MONEY?
SIGNED FIDUCIARY OATH
I’ve signed a fiduciary oath to always put my client’s interests ahead of mine. This includes my fee-only fee structure which aligns my interests directly with yours.
Rather than being incentivized to provide investments and services from a selection of options that makes the advisor the most money Skylark is, at all times, incentivized to make YOU, the client, the most money.
You can rely on my advice to always put your interests ahead of my own.
SKYLARK DOES NOT HOLD CUSTODY OF CLIENT ASSETS
I do not nor will I ever hold custody of your assets. All of your assets are held by a third-party custodian such as Schwab, Fidelity or Altruist.
Your account statements will be generated independently of Skylark and directly by your custodian(s).
Skylark is merely granted a limited power of attorney over your assets to view them and trade on them.
Money movement powers are limited solely to Skylark’s clearly invoiced management fee.
SKYLARK IS REGULATED AND AUDITED
Skylark is regulated by FINRA and by the regulators of each state (e.g. California) it does business in.
Where can I find more information? Click on the following links to find Skylark’s registration with the SEC, my personal registration and our latest Form ADV Part 2.
You can also click through each of the listing of the various organizations (including CFP Board, NAPFA, XY Planning Network, Google, Yelp, and FeeOnlyNetwork) I’m associated with for more information.
Finally, schedule a complimentary phone or video consultation with me and or ask any questions you may have via the chat or message tools below with no obligation.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
Listen to my podcast appearance “Whether You Should Care About Stock Splits With Michal Skowronski” on the “Grow Money Business with Grant Bledsoe” of Three Oaks Wealth.
Read my interview “What It’s Like to Work with a High-Touch Financial Advisor” with My Financial Counsel.
WHERE DO WE HELP?
SERVING THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA AS WELL AS U.S. CITIZENS BOTH NATIONWIDE AND GLOBALLY
While Skylark Wealth is currently based out of San Francisco we serve clients both locally and nationwide including U.S. citizens currently (or those planning on) living abroad (i.e. retirees, digital nomads and those on sabbatical).
We use the latest screen sharing and secure file transfer and storage technologies to serve and help our clients wherever they may be.
WE'D LOVE TO CREATE SOMETHING AMAZING TOGETHER
YOU'VE COME THIS FAR...LET'S SCHEDULE A CHAT!
SCHEDULE A CALL OR SEND US A MESSAGE ☝️
OR SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER👇
Our newsletter is typically sent out every 3-4 weeks and includes thoughts on the markets, something personal from me as well as a quick “do this now” financial tip.