Presidium's client, McGee Brothers, was featured on the CBS Nightly News with Katie Couric in a segment about Fees in 401(k) Plans.

Presidium is one of only a few registered investment advisory firms to have received the CEFEX Certification. CEFEX is an independent global assessment and certification organization. It works closely with investment fiduciaries and industry experts to provide comprehensive assessment programs to improve risk management for institutional and retail investors. CEFEX certification helps determine the trustworthiness of investment fiduciaries. As a certifying organization, CEFEX provides an independent recognition of a firm’s conformity to a defined Standard of Practice. It implies that a firm can demonstrate adherence to the industry's best practices, and is positioned to earn the public's trust. This registration serves investors who require assurance that their investments are being managed according to commonly accepted best practices. In a time of financial industry anxiety, trust is more important than ever. Investor trust is critical to firms which provide fiduciary functions and support services. Stewards of retirement plans, endowments, foundations and personal trusts are continually looking for proof of their integrity. CEFEX certification establishes transparency and accountability.

Anne Comer, president of Presidium Retirement Advisers, Inc., has successfully completed the training, validation and testing necessary to become a Registered Fiduciary™. The Registered Fiduciary™ (“RF™”) designation identifies financial professionals and organizations as competent fiduciaries that have achieved pertinent educational qualifications and licenses, learned required skills, and have passed a background check. The RF™ award to Presidium Retirement Advisers, Inc. recognizes particular skills in the area of ERISA and non-ERISA Retirement Plans including 401(k), 403(b), 401(a), 415(m), 457(b) and defined benefit plans. “At a time when the public concern has been elevated by years of financial excesses and scandals, the RF™ validation process offers comfort in the knowledge that our firm has been found worthy of this distinction” said Ms. Comer, president of Presidium, adding “We have always been dedicated to our clients and this award gives us the independent confirmation of this policy.”

The seminar was sponsored by the CPA Firm, Greer & Walker, LLP, the Law Firm, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP and the Actuarial and Recordkeeping Firm, Alliance Benefit Group Carolinas, Inc. Much attention has been focused on the importance of hiring of investment managers and fiduciary advisors; little time has been devoted to the evaluation and monitoring of retirement plan advisors. While advisors are the gatekeepers to trillions of dollars of retirement plan assets and the security of millions of plan participants, there is no formal process, law or rules for managing advisors. Leveraging Mr. Sanchez’s experience as a regulator with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and with NASD (now FINRA) and as the former Chief Compliance Officer at the nation’s largest independent brokerage firm and Ms. Comer’s experience as a forensic CPA, they explained how to review information filed with the SEC for Registered Investment Advisory Firms (“RIA”s), ADV Part 1 and Part 2 and for Individual Investment Advisors (“IAR”s), the FINRA Report. Although important tools in evaluating firms and advisers, Mr. Sanchez cautioned that these filings are completed by the compliance officer employed by the firm and plan sponsors should independently check their accuracy. Other topics included: “Understanding Professional Designations”; key provisions in an Investment Advisory Agreement; and proof of affirmative fiduciary insurance coverage by the investment advisor.

Every day, each of us forms opinions regarding our friends, coworkers and every person we encounter. Can they be trusted? Who is dependable? For most of us, it is a trial and error process. But how do entities learn to form bonds of reliance and trust especially when the consequences of being wrong, make trial and error an unacceptable process? Published in the Summer 2011 Edition of the ASPPA Journal. Co-authored by Anne Comer, Jim Culbreth & Patrick Dennis.

Read Brian Graff, Bruce Ashton, Fred Reish, Anne Comer and other members of NAIRPA's comment letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commision on the naming of target date funds

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