Lipe & Dalton Investment Counsel is a investment adviser based in Syracuse, NY, that holds a 94.8/100 Fidelon TransparencyScore (90th percentile among SEC-registered advisers), with 2 registered advisors. Score based on public SEC and FINRA filings.
Lipe & Dalton Investment Counsel
Lipe & Dalton · CRD #132737
A fee-only investment adviser with a clean regulatory record and fiduciary commitment.
Fidelon Fact Sheet
Lipe & Dalton Investment Counsel is an SEC-registered investment adviser in Syracuse, NY. It used to be called Lipe & Dalton,INC. Its 2 registered advisors typically serve individuals and families and high-net-worth individuals. It manages $779.9 million across 382 client accounts. It charges one yearly percentage of your account, and it does not report earning commissions. Its services include financial planning and educational seminars. Its record shows no customer complaints, regulatory actions or fines.
Peer Context
1,033rd of 10,815
SEC-registered advisers
Top 10%
127th of 1,070
SEC-registered advisers in NY
Top 12%
3rd of 9
SEC-registered advisers in Syracuse, NY
Top 33%
How This Firm Works
Registration & Standard of Care
Investment Adviser — this firm is a registered investment adviser, held to a fiduciary standard — legally required to act in clients' best interests.
How This Firm Gets Paid
- Charges a percentage of assets under management
- Does not earn commissions on product sales
What you’d pay
Your balance falls in the All accounts band, charged at 1.00% on the full amount.
This fee is negotiable
“Although Lipe & Dalton has established the aforementioned fee schedule(s), we retain the discretion to negotiate alternative fees on a client-by-client basis.”
From their Form ADV Part 2A. Most investors never ask.
Not included above
- • In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also responsible for the fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker dealers, including, but not limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker dealer with which an independent investment manager effects transactions for the client's account(s). All fees paid to Lipe & Dalton for investment advisory services are separate and distinct from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and/or ETFs to their shareholders.
Estimated from the firm’s Form ADV Part 2A brochure — not a quote. Actual fees are set in your agreement and may differ. Costs charged by others (custodians, fund managers) are not included.
What This Firm Charges
| Account Size | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| All accounts | 1.00% |
Billed monthly, in advance
Extracted from Form ADV Part 2A brochure
Specializations
Extracted from Form ADV Part 2A brochure
Who They Typically Serve
Extracted from Form ADV Part 2A brochure
Key Findings
Strengths
- Fee-only compensation — no commission income reported
- Registered as investment adviser with fiduciary obligation
- No broker-dealer registration — advisory services only
- Clean regulatory record — no disclosures, arbitrations, or fines
- Transparent fee structure — charges advisory fees, no commissions
Conflict Audit
Zero material conflicts identified in regulatory filings.
Source: Form ADV Part 1, Items 6-8; Part 2A, Items 10-14
What this firm says about how it gets paid
“The amount of assets in your advisory account affects your advisory fee. Therefore, the more assets you have in your advisory account, the more you will pay us, and thus we have an incentive to increase those assets in order to increase our fee.”
Source: the firm’s own Form CRS, filed 2026-02-11 — quoted directly
Regulatory Track Record
0
Disclosures
Clean record — no disclosures found
$0
Total Fines
Clean record — no fines found
Regulatory Events
TransparencyScore Dimensions
Disclosure Record
Customer complaints, arbitrations, and fines. Frequency and recency matter.
100/100
Strong
Avg for investment adviser firms: 82.6 | Top 10%: 99.5
Filing Quality
How clearly the firm describes services, fees, and investment approach in regulatory filings.
93/100
Strong
Avg for investment adviser firms: 84.1 | Top 10%: 100
Conflict Disclosure
How openly the firm explains who pays it and what it's paid to sell. The conflict isn't the problem — hiding it is.
74/100
Fair
Avg for investment adviser firms: 54 | Top 10%: 67
Enforcement History
Self-reported legal and disciplinary history from Form ADV Item 11.
100/100
Strong
Avg for investment adviser firms: 99.7 | Top 10%: 100
Their two-page relationship summary
The SEC requires every SEC-registered investment adviser to hand you this summary, called a Form CRS, and says what it must cover. We checked this firm's against that list. What is a Form CRS?
- Does it include everything the SEC requires?
- Required sections
- 74/100
- Does it explain how the firm's conflicts affect you?
- Conflicts of interest
- 92/100
- Can you tell what you would pay?
- What you pay
What to askAsk what you would pay in a year, in dollars, including fund and trading costs.
- 55/100
- Is it written in plain English?
- Plain language
- 96/100
This firm's Form CRS averages 79 out of 100 and adds 4.81 points to the score above.
What their brochure tells you
The firm must give you this brochure, Form ADV Part 2A, before you sign. We read it against the SEC's own instructions, item by item. Quotes are the firm's own words; page numbers refer to the filed brochure. What is in a brochure?
Can you tell what you'd pay and when?Brochure Fee Clarity100/100
The SEC asks every brochure to spell out the fee schedule, whether fees can be negotiated, how and when you are billed, the other costs you pay, and refunds.
The brochure answers every one of these.
- Can you tell what you'd pay?CoveredItem 5.A
Without a fee schedule you cannot compare this firm with any other.
Our annual fees for Investment Supervisory Services are based upon a percentage of assets under management and generally start at 1.00%.p. 6
- Does it say whether the fee can be negotiated?CoveredItem 5.A
If fees are negotiable, other clients may be paying less than you for the same service.
Although Lipe & Dalton has established the aforementioned fee schedule(s), we retain the discretion to negotiate alternative fees on a client-by-client basis.p. 6
- Does it say whether the fee comes out of your account or gets billed?CoveredItem 5.B
A fee taken straight from your account is easy to stop noticing.
Our fees are billed monthly, in advance, at the beginning of each month based upon the value (market value or fair market value in the absence of market value), of the client's account at the end of the previous billing period.p. 6
- Does it say how often you're charged?CoveredItem 5.B
Monthly, quarterly, in advance or in arrears changes what you owe when you leave.
Our fees are billed monthly, in advance, at the beginning of each month based upon the value (market value or fair market value in the absence of market value), of the client's account at the end of the previous billing period.p. 6
- Does it list the other costs you pay, like fund and custodian fees?CoveredItem 5.C
The advisory fee is rarely the whole bill; fund, trading and custody costs come on top.
In addition to our advisory fees, clients are also responsible for the fees and expenses charged by custodians and imposed by broker dealers, including, but not limited to, any transaction charges imposed by a broker dealer with which an independent investment manager effects transactions for the client's account(s).p. 7
- Does it say how you get money back if you leave mid-period?CoveredItem 5.D
If you pay in advance and leave early, the refund rule decides what you get back.
Upon termination of any account, any prepaid, unearned fees will be promptly refunded.p. 7
Does it explain each conflict of interest and what it could cost you?Brochure Conflict Specificity65/100
The SEC asks the brochure to name each way the firm gets paid besides your fee, what that tempts the firm to do, and what it can cost you.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
If the firm gets research or services from a custodian or broker, does it explain them?
Research or services received from a custodian or broker (soft dollars)
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
The fact that we receive these benefits from Schwab is an incentive for us to recommend the use of Schwab rather than making such decision based exclusively on your interest in receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution of your transactions.p. 16
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?CoveredStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
The fact that we receive these benefits from Schwab is an incentive for us to recommend the use of Schwab rather than making such decision based exclusively on your interest in receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution of your transactions.p. 16
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
What to askAsk how much the firm or its people receive from this arrangement in a typical year.
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?CoveredStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
The availability of these services from Schwab benefits us because we do not have to produce or purchase them.p. 16
- Does it say what it can cost you?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
What to askAsk what this arrangement can cost you, in fees, returns or choices you do not get.
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk what the firm receives from the custodian or broker it uses for you, and whether that costs you anything.
If the firm pays people who refer clients, does it explain those payments?
Payments to people who refer clients to the firm
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
Lipe & Dalton, under the written referral agreement between Solicitor and Advisor, pays Solicitor a fee for each client accepted.p. 19
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
What to askAsk what this arrangement gives the firm a reason to recommend, and how often that happens.
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?CoveredStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
Lipe & Dalton, under the written referral agreement between Solicitor and Advisor, pays Solicitor a fee for each client accepted.p. 19
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
What to askAsk what the firm gains from this arrangement beyond fees.
- Does it say what it can cost you?CoveredStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
The total advisory fee charged to the client by Lipe & Dalton will include the referral fee may result in a differential in the total advisory fees charged by Lipe & Dalton for accounts for which we pay a referral fee and those for which we do not pay a referral fee.p. 19
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk whether anyone was paid to refer you to the firm, and whether that affects what you pay.
If the firm trades with you as principal or between client accounts, does it explain that?
Trading with clients as principal or between client accounts
- Does the brochure name this conflict where the SEC requires?CoveredItems 10/11/12.B/14
A conflict named in the right place is one the firm has thought about; one buried elsewhere is easy to miss.
In the rare event that Lipe & Dalton deems a cross trade as being applicable, and beneficial to both parties, but the only available counter party is a principal of the firm Lipe & Dalton will fully disclose to the client that the counterparty is a principal, and any corresponding conflict of interest.p. 21
- Does it explain what this arrangement tempts the firm to do?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
You can only judge advice when you know which way it is being pulled.
What to askAsk what this arrangement gives the firm a reason to recommend, and how often that happens.
- Does it describe what the arrangement actually is?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
A conflict described in one vague sentence tells you it exists but not how it works.
What to askAsk the advisor to explain this arrangement in plain terms, including who pays whom.
- Does it say what the firm is paid for it?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
The size of the payment tells you how strong the pull is.
What to askAsk how much the firm or its people receive from this arrangement in a typical year.
- Does it say how the firm comes out ahead?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Benefits that are not cash, like free services or referrals, still shape advice.
What to askAsk what the firm gains from this arrangement beyond fees.
- Does it say what it can cost you?Not found in the brochureStaff Bulletin Q11
Every conflict has a price; the question is whether the brochure puts it in your hands.
What to askAsk what this arrangement can cost you, in fees, returns or choices you do not get.
- Does it say how the firm keeps this conflict in check?Not assessed yetItems 10.C-D, 11.B-D, 14.A
A conflict with no control on it is left to the advisor's goodwill.
What to askAsk whether the firm ever trades with you from its own account or between its clients, and how you are protected.
Do they earn commissions on products, and do they say so?Brochure Sales CompensationNot applicable
Not applicable: the brochure describes no product-sales commissions
Do they get free research or services from brokers, and does it affect you?Brochure Soft Dollars100/100
When brokers give the firm research or services in return for your trades, the SEC asks the brochure to say what the firm gets and what it may cost you.
The brochure answers every one of these.
- Does it list what the firm gets from brokers for free?CoveredItem 12.A.1.e
Research, software and data paid for by your trades are a cost you never see.
These services are of the type described in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are designed to augment our own internal research and investment strategy capabilities.p. 13
- Does it say the firm benefits by not paying for those things?CoveredItem 12.A.1.a
A perk the firm would otherwise buy is money in the firm's pocket, paid with your trades.
When Lipe & Dalton uses client brokerage commissions to obtain research or brokerage services, we receive a benefit to the extent that Lipe & Dalton does not have to produce such products internally or compensate third-parties with our own money for the delivery of such services.p. 14
- Does it say those perks can shape which broker it picks for you?CoveredItem 12.A.1.b
Your trades should go where you get the best deal, not where the firm gets the best perks.
Therefore, such use of client brokerage commissions results in a conflict of interest, because we have an incentive to direct client brokerage to those brokers who provide research and services we utilize, even if these brokers do not offer the best price or commission rates for our clients.p. 14
- Does it say whether those perks stay within what the law allows?CoveredItem 12.A.1.e note
The law allows research paid for with client trades only within limits; outside them, it is your money.
Consistent with obtaining best execution for clients, Lipe & Dalton may direct brokerage transactions for clients' portfolios to brokers who provide research and execution services to Lipe & Dalton and, indirectly, to Lipe & Dalton's clients.p. 13
- Does it say whether you pay more in trading costs because of those perks?Does not applyItem 12.A.1.c
Paying up for trades to earn the firm a perk comes straight out of your returns.
- Does it say whether every client benefits or only some?CoveredItem 12.A.1.d
Your trades may be paying for research that helps other clients' accounts, not yours.
The cost of such "mixed-use" products or services will be fairly allocated and Lipe & Dalton makes a good faith effort to determine the percentage of such products or services which may be considered as investment research.p. 14
A point not found is not a finding against the firm; many points apply only when the firm has that arrangement, and state-registered firms file the same brochure form.
Next Steps
Advisor Roster
2 advisors
| Advisor | CRD | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willard Charles Lipe III | 2997351 | — | — |
| Patrick Dalton | 2649397 | — | — |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the TransparencyScore measure?
The TransparencyScore measures how clearly and completely an advisor or firm discloses important information in their regulatory filings — things like fees, conflicts of interest, disciplinary history, and business practices. A higher score means better disclosure quality, not better investment performance.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from public regulatory filings: SEC Form ADV (Parts 1, 2, and 3), FINRA BrokerCheck, and the SEC's Investment Adviser Public Disclosure (IAPD) database. These are official filings that firms and advisors are legally required to submit.
Does a low score mean they're a bad advisor?
Not necessarily. A low score means the firm's public filings are less transparent — they may use vague language about fees, skip details about conflicts, or have a more complex regulatory history. Some excellent advisors work at firms with poor disclosure practices. The score measures the filing, not the person.
How often is this data updated?
Fidelon refreshes data from SEC and FINRA sources on a regular schedule. Form ADV filings are updated annually by firms (with amendments throughout the year), and BrokerCheck data is updated as events are reported. Scores are recalculated after each data refresh.
Can an advisor or firm improve their score?
Yes. Scores are based on what's in public filings. A firm that rewrites its ADV brochure in clearer language, discloses conflicts more specifically, or resolves outstanding regulatory issues will see its score improve at the next refresh. The incentive structure is intentional.
Data Sources
Scores are generated using Fidelon's published scoring methodology and reflect the quality of public disclosures, not the quality of investment advice. A firm that improves its disclosures will see its score improve. Fidelon does not provide investment advice.
Verify on SEC IAPD
Last scored: · Score version: 3.15 · CRD #132737