- Home
  - Wealth Management
    Guiding Principles
    
    Plan, save, invest,
    protect, enjoy
    Download
  - Investment Management
    Dividend-Growth Investing
    
    For rising income
    and capital growth
    Download
  - Investment Advisory
    Investor Behavior
    
    Minding investor
    behavior gaps
    Download
- Firm
  - - ICW Quick Facts
      - Overview
        Intelligent Capitalworks is a fiduciary fee-only wealth management firm, serving high net worth individuals and families. The firm provides retirement planning, investment management, trust and estate planning, and philanthropic planning services. The firm was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, serving clients nationwide.
        
        + Learn more about ICW quick facts
    - Families and Individuals
      - Overview
        High net worth families and individuals require an advisory team with greater intellectual capital, deeper and more advanced skillsets, and greater breadth and depth-of-field. They require experienced practitioners capable of whole-system integration of the 10 allied disciplines of wealth management.
        
        + Learn how we serve families and individuals
    - Fiduciary Financial Advisors
      - Overview
        CEFEX, the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence, LLC, an Fi360 company, has certified Intelligent Capitalworks to the standard described in the handbook Prudent Practices for Investment Advisors. The independent CEFEX Investment Advisor certification demonstrates adherence to a best-practice standard.
        
        + Learn about fiduciary financial advisors
    - Fee-only Financial Advisors
      - Overview
        Fee-Only refers to compensation for a service. A Fee-Only financial advisor charges the client directly for advice and/or ongoing financial management. No other financial reward is provided by any institution, which means that the advisor does not receive commissions or other forms of compensation on the actions they take on the client’s behalf.
        
        + Learn about fee-only financial advisors
    - What Distinguishes Us
      - Overview
        We only represent clients as a fiduciary and our only compensation is our professional fee.
        
        We endeavor to develop and maintain core competencies and a client servicescape that help address and solve problems across the 10 allied disciplines of wealth management for high net worth individuals and families.
        
        As investment managers, we specialize in investing in well-diversified separate account portfolios of individual stocks held for long-term growth and income for our clients based upon our independent research, including our white paper, Dividend Investing for Rising Income and Growth
        
        + Learn about what distinguishes us
    - Firm Rankings and Ratings
      - Overview
        We are occasionally independently evaluated, ranked or rated.
        
        + Learn about firm rankings and ratings
    - Selecting a Financial Advisor
      - Overview
        Discerning if a financial advisor can truly provide the wise counsel, good judgement, leadership, technical competence and managerial responsibility you seek is not easy, but it is not impossible either.
        
        Download our helpful interview guide,
        
        Selecting a Wealth Management Professional,
        
        to discuss with any individual or firm before entrusting them with advising you financially and helping you look after your financial well-being.
        
        + Learn about selecting a financial advisor
    - Become a Client
      - Overview
        Most people who experience sustained long-term financial success visualize from a broad perspective and develop well-conceived plans that are forward-thinking and future-focused. They do not chase the latest quick-money schemes or get absorbed with short-term market fluctuations that have little bearing on their long-term financial success. They recognize that strategically planning and managing their financial lives helps them achieve the lives they truly desire.
        
        We bring deep experience and core competencies that match up well with families and individuals who seek depth-of-field, skill, competence, care, creative vision and sound execution from professionals who are in it for the long haul.
        
        + Learn about becoming a client
    - Contact Us
      - Overview
        We work with individuals and client families across the United States and offer videoconference and teleconference meetings to both clients and prospective clients.
        
        Chandler
        (480) 542-2900
        
        Phoenix
        (602) 245-2900
        
        Scottsdale
        (480) 951-2900
        
        Nationwide
        (866) 617-2900
        
        + Learn more about how to contact us
- Services
  - - What We Do
      - Overview
        Our firm has been purpose-built to provide high net worth clients access to a wealth advisory team with the intellectual capital, tools, capabilities, servicescape and insights that help address and solve wealth management problems using a fiduciary, fee-only business model. After 40 years of advising clients, we continue to believe that serving them as financial fiduciaries is the more valuable paradigm.
        
        + Learn more about what we do
    - What We Provide
      - Overview
        We offer inter-disciplinary, fiduciary wealth management and advisory services integrating intellectual capital and skillsets from the following 10 allied disciplines of wealth management:
        
        Financial Planning
        Retirement Planning
        Tax Planning
        Risk Management
        Investment Consulting
        Investment Management
        Trust and Estate Planning
        Philanthropic Planning
        Trust Advisory Services
        Accounting
        
        + Learn more about what we provide
    - How We Do It
      - Overview
        We work to understand your vision and gain clarity of your purpose. We commit our time, talent and resources to study and analyze your situation. We develop plans and strategies for your consideration and selection, implement and manage the resulting day-to-day workflows on your behalf, and monitor your progress towards your goals and objectives.
        
        + Learn more about how we do it
    - Working With Us
      - Overview
        We strive to help you with your financial life and get you ready for your financial future. We help you develop plans intended to help you accumulate and maintain enough investment assets to achieve and sustain the financial and other goals you have.
        
        Our compensation is tied to your success, so we work hard to help you succeed.
        
        + Learn more about working with us
    - Retirement Planning
      - Overview
        The beginning is the most important part of the work. Within your family, needs are different and reasons for prosperity differ, so the roads may wind in a variety of directions. It’s important to take the time to see beyond the moment and develop your longer-term vison.
        
        Long-term success doesn’t come from knowing the right answers. It comes from asking the right questions. If you don’t dedicate the time up front to work through the tough questions, you may spend more time later correcting missteps and trying to make up for lost time, sometimes desperately.
        
        + Learn more about retirement planning
    - Investment Management
      - Overview
        We are deliberate, disciplined investors, not stock pickers, traders and market timers.
        
        When we invest, we want to be long-term owners of enduringly profitable businesses, because that is where wealth is created. When we invest in a diversified portfolio of individual stocks for our clients in separately-managed accounts, we are buying small parts of businesses for them to own as a long-term owner. It’s how we invest our own family’s money. We eat our own cooking.
        
        + Learn more about investment management
    - Trust and Estate Planning
      - Overview
        For most of us, our financial life management objective is to maximize the protection and enjoyment of our wealth for us and our loved ones in each generation. While successful financial life management requires a strategic, long-term planning effort, it also requires adjustments to changes in circumstances that require continual timely updates to documents, advisors, custodians, trustees, trust advisors, investment strategies, accounts, insurance coverages, beneficiary designations and beneficiaries. We help provide the necessary leadership, guidance and energy.
        
        + Learn more about trust and estate planning
    - Become a Client
      - Overview
        Most people who experience sustained long-term financial success visualize from a broad perspective and develop well-conceived plans that are forward-thinking and future-focused. They do not chase the latest quick-money schemes or get absorbed with short-term market fluctuations that have little bearing on their long-term financial success. They recognize that strategically planning and managing their financial lives helps them achieve the lives they truly desire.
        
        We bring deep experience and core competencies that match up well with families and individuals who seek depth-of-field, skill, competence, care, creative vision and sound execution from professionals who are in it for the long haul.
        
        + Learn more about becoming a client
    - Contact Us
      - Overview
        We work with individuals and client families across the United States and offer videoconference and teleconference meetings to both clients and prospective clients.
        
        Chandler
        (480) 542-2900
        
        Phoenix
        (602) 245-2900
        
        Scottsdale
        (480) 951-2900
        
        Nationwide
        (866) 617-2900
        
        + Learn more about how to contact us
- Professionals
  - - Firm Professionals
      - Overview
        Our experienced professionals serve each client as a team, with a passion for excellence, intellectual honesty, integrity and leadership.
        
        + Learn more about our firm professionals
    - Jillian Carlson, MBA, IACCP^®, AIF^®
      - Overview
        Senior Leadership Team | Shareholder
        Chief Compliance Officer
        
        Jillian Carlson helped co-found the firm in 2005 and is the firm’s Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to joining the firm, she worked at the tax practice of Bernard & Stallman, CPAs.
        
        Jillian holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from DeVry University and a Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management. Jillian manages the firm's compliance with all Federal and state laws and regulations and regulators. She serves on the wealth management team for every client.
        
        + Learn more about Jillian Carlson, IACCP^®
    - Monique Pressley, AIF^®
      - Overview
        Senior Leadership Team | Shareholder
        Chief Client Administrative Officer
        
        Monique Pressley joined the firm in 2016 as a Senior Client Relationship Specialist and manages the firm’s Client Services. During her 20-year career in financial services, she has specialized in client relationship management at large financial institutions and mid-size investment advisory firms. Monique is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary^®.
        
        Monique holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Appalachian State University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from New York University School of Professional Studies and has completed the Chartered Financial Consultant^® curriculum. She serves on the wealth management team for every client.
        
        + Learn more about Monique Pressley, AIF^®
    - Charles Rossi, MIMFA, MTax, CFP^®, CTFA, AIF^®
      - Overview
        Senior Leadership Team | Shareholder
        Chief Client Wealth Officer
        Portfolio Manager
        
        Charles joined the firm in 2014. He holds a Master of Taxation and Data Analysis from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, a Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis from the Heider College of Business at Creighton University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from New York University School of Professional Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Charles is a Certified Financial Planner, CFP^® professional, Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor, Accredited Investment Fiduciary^® and CFA program Level III exam candidate.
        
        + Learn more about Charles Rossi, CFP^®
    - Jennifer Rossi
      - Overview
        Senior Leadership Team | Shareholder
        Chief of Staff
        
        Jennifer Rossi is a co-founder of the firm. She has served as the Director of Operations since the firm's inception. Prior to joining the firm she worked at the tax practice of Allen Nahrwold, CPA and at the tax practice of Bernard & Stallman, CPAs.
        
        Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Phoenix and is a 2023 Chartered Financial Consultant candidate from the Amerian College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Jennifer serves on the wealth management team for every client.
        
        + Learn more about Jennifer Rossi
    - Michael Rossi, MIMFA, CFP^®
      - Overview
        Senior Leadership Team | Shareholder
        Chief Client Wealth Officer
        Portfolio Manager
        
        Michael Rossi joined the firm in 2021 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He also holds a Master of Investment Management and Financial Analysis from Creighton University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from New York University School of Professional Studies. He is a 2024 candidate for a Master of Taxation from the Charles Widger School of Law at Villa Nova University. Michael lived in Seoul, Korea for two years, becoming fluent in Korean while completing his undergraduate degree.
        
        Michael has completed the Chartered Financial Consultant^® curriculum and passed Level I, Level II and Level III of the CFA^® program.
        
        + Learn more about Michael Rossi, CFP^®
    - Vincent Rossi, MSFS, CFP^®
      - Overview
        Senior Leadership Team | Shareholder
        Chief Investment Officer
        Portfolio Manager
        
        Vincent Rossi founded the firm in 2005 after a 19-year career as a senior executive with global financial services firms. His career has been distinguished by a broad foundation of knowledge and experience in the capital markets and wealth management, including individual membership on one of the world's largest financial exchanges.
        
        During his career, he has earned the following professional certifications:
        
        Certified Financial Planner^®
        Chartered Life Underwriter^®
        Certified Investment Management Analyst^®
        Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst^®
        Accredited Estate Planner^®
        Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor
        Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy^®
        
        + Learn more about Vincent Rossi, CFP^®
    - Become a Client
      - Overview
        Most people who experience sustained long-term financial success visualize from a broad perspective and develop well-conceived plans that are forward-thinking and future-focused. They do not chase the latest quick-money schemes or get absorbed with short-term market fluctuations that have little bearing on their long-term financial success. They recognize that strategically planning and managing their financial lives helps them achieve the lives they truly desire.
        
        We bring deep experience and core competencies that match up well with families and individuals who seek depth-of-field, skill, competence, care, creative vision and sound execution from professionals who are in it for the long haul.
        
        + Learn more about becoming a client
    - Contact Us
      - Overview
        We work with individuals and client families across the United States and offer videoconference and teleconference meetings to both clients and prospective clients.
        
        Chandler
        (480) 542-2900
        
        Phoenix
        (602) 245-2900
        
        Scottsdale
        (480) 951-2900
        
        Nationwide
        (866) 617-2900
        
        + Learn more about how to contact us
- ICW Journal Insights – Check our ICW Journal for our Featured Thinking.
  - - Featured Thinking – Check our ICW Journal for our Featured Thinking.
      - Overview
        These helpful primers help you withstand the shifting winds of short-term thinking and help you stay focused on the key issues that matter most to your long-term success.
        
        + Learn more about featured thinking
    - Journal Topics
      - Overview
        These helpful primers help you withstand the shifting winds of short-term thinking and help you stay focused on the key issues that matter most to your long-term success.
        
        + Learn more about featured thinking
    - Featured Papers
      - Overview
        These helpful primers help you withstand the shifting winds of short-term thinking and help you stay focused on the key issues that matter most to your long-term success.
        
        Selecting a Wealth Management Professional
        
        Wealth Management Guiding Principles
        
        Dividend Growth Investing
        
        Minding Investor Behavior Gaps
    - Become a Client
      - Overview
        Most people who experience sustained long-term financial success visualize from a broad perspective and develop well-conceived plans that are forward-thinking and future-focused. They do not chase the latest quick-money schemes or get absorbed with short-term market fluctuations that have little bearing on their long-term financial success. They recognize that strategically planning and managing their financial lives helps them achieve the lives they truly desire.
        
        We bring deep experience and core competencies that match up well with families and individuals who seek depth-of-field, skill, competence, care, creative vision and sound execution from professionals who are in it for the long haul.
        
        + Learn more about becoming a client
- Intelligent Capitalworks FAQs
- Important Disclosures
  - - Client Relationship Summary | Form CRS
      - Overview
        Form CRS is a Client Relationship Summary for an investment advisory relationship or a Customer Relationship Summary for brokerage services. The purpose of Form CRS is to reduce confusion for retail investors and assist them when deciding whether to:
        
        establish a brokerage services or investment advisory relationship;
        
        engage a particular firm or financial professional; or
        
        terminate or switch a relationship or specific service.
        
        + Read our client relationship summary
    - Firm Brochure | Form ADV Part 2A
      - Overview
        Part 2 of Form ADV has two parts.
        
        Part 2A (the Disclosure Brochure) requires advisors to convey the information contained in Part 1 to their clients in a brochure spelled out in plain English.
        
        + Read our firm brochure
    - Brochure Supplement | Form ADV Part 2B
      - Overview
        Part 2 of Form ADV has two parts.
        
        Part 2B of Form ADV (the Brochure Supplement) requires advisors to provide additional information about the qualifications and experience of the investment adviser's representatives (IARs).
        
        + Read our brochure supplement
    - Form ADV Part 1
      - Overview
        Part 1 of Form ADV includes basic information about the advisor’s business, business practices, ownership of the business, how many employees it has and any professional affiliations in a check-the-box format.
        
        + Read our form ADV part 1
    - Privacy Notice
      - Overview
        Financial companies choose how they will share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.
        
        + Read our privacy notice
    - Firm Ethics
      - Overview
        Our keystone of client trust is integrity in our relationships. Integrity forms the basis for intellectual honesty and ethical behavior. All of our team members play a critical role in fostering integrity in our business.
        
        + Learn more about our firm ethics
    - Advisor and Investment Risk Disclosures
      - Overview
        Investments involve varying degrees of risk and working with a financial advisor is not a guarantee of future financial success.
        
        + Read our advisor and investment risk disclosures
    - Past Performance and Forward-Looking Disclosures
      - Overview
        Past performance may not be indicative of future results and certain statements may contain “forward-looking statements,” which involve risks and uncertainties.
        
        + Read our past performance and forward-looking disclosures
    - Additional Risks and Disclosures
      - Overview
        While not exhaustive, we disclose additional risks for you to consider below and refer you to Item 8 of the ICW Firm Brochure | Form ADV Part 2A for additional risk disclosures.
        
        Cybersecurity
        ICW Website
        Business continuity
        Third and fourth-party vendor
        Anti-money laundering
        
        We also provide additional disclosures to you regarding:
        
        ICW intellectual property rights
        Behavior Gap illustration copyrights
        
        + Read our additional risk disclosures
- Office Location
  - Scottsdale, Arizona
    Promenade Corporate Center
    16427 N Scottsdale Rd
    Suite 350
    Scottsdale, AZ 85254
    (480) 951-2900
    
    arrange a meeting
  - Map
- Become a Client
- Contact Us
- Client Login

ICW Journal Insights

Featured Commentary

Investing in High-Quality Companies

Dividend Reinvestment is a Compounding Accelerator

Investing Lessons from the Pension World

Quantifying a Financial Advisor’s Value

The Value of Long Term Investing

Journal Topics

Books We Recommend

Investment Management

Special Needs Planning

Tax Planning

Wealth Management

To Succeed in Investing, We Must Manage Risk

Vincent Rossi November 30, 2022

To Succeed in Investing, We Must Manage Risk Well To live life more fully, we all must accept, and even embrace risk, and to succeed in investing, we must manage risk. The most fulfilling parts of our lives are full of risk, but generally worth pursuing. Our adventures, and even our responsibilities are risky, but

Guiding Principles

Dividend-Growth Investing

Investor Behavior

Promenade Corporate Center

ICW Journal Insights

Featured Commentary

Journal Topics

Books We Recommend

To Succeed in Investing, We Must Manage Risk

ABOUT

Our Firm

Our Services

Who We Serve

ICW Journal Insights

Featured Papers

Featured Commentary

Company Information

Intelligent Capitalworks

Serving Clients Nationwide Since 2005