United Asset Strategies is a investment adviser based in Garden City, NY, that holds a 86.4/100 Fidelon TransparencyScore (55th percentile among SEC-registered advisers), with 25 registered advisors. Score based on public SEC and FINRA filings.
United Asset Strategies
United Asset Strategies INC. · CRD #107434
A fee-only investment adviser with a clean regulatory record and fiduciary commitment.
Fidelon Fact Sheet
United Asset Strategies INC. is an SEC-registered investment adviser in Garden City, NY. Its 25 registered advisors typically serve individuals and families, high-net-worth individuals and retirees. It manages $2.3 billion across 4,324 client accounts. It charges a percentage of the money it manages for you, and it does not report earning commissions. Its services include financial planning, portfolio management, educational seminars and investment newsletters. It reports that it can hold or access client money, which the SEC requires firms to disclose. Its record shows no customer complaints, regulatory actions or fines.
Peer Context
4,834th of 10,815
SEC-registered advisers
Top 45%
491st of 1,070
SEC-registered advisers in NY
Top 46%
8th of 16
SEC-registered advisers in Garden city, NY
Top 50%
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
- Charges fixed fees for specific services
- Does not earn commissions on product sales
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 more assets in your account, the more you will pay us in fees, and we may therefore have an incentive to encourage you to increase the amount of assets in your account.”
“Our firm or one or more of our agents may receive compensation for referring our clients to an unaffiliated broker-dealer that executes securities transactions or to an unaffiliated insurance agency that writes variable annuity contracts or life or health insurance policies.”
Source: the firm’s own Form CRS — 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.
79/100
Fair
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.
71/100
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
- 72/100
- Does it explain how the firm's conflicts affect you?
- Conflicts of interest
- 83/100
- Can you tell what you would pay?
- What you pay
- 69/100
- Is it written in plain English?
- Plain language
- 93/100
This firm's Form CRS averages 79 out of 100. It adds 4.81 points once the firm's filings and record score 90 on their own; they score 86.41 today.
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 Clarity75/100
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.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
- Can you tell what you'd pay?Not found in the brochureItem 5.A
Without a fee schedule you cannot compare this firm with any other.
What to askAsk for the fee schedule in writing, including what you would pay at your account size.
- 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.
In general, we maintain no schedule of client fees for the various types of services that we provide.p. 9
- 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.
We typically charge fees quarterly and in advance, meaning that the fee is directly debited from the client account on or about the first day of the quarter in which it will be earned.p. 10
- 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.
We typically charge fees quarterly and in advance, meaning that the fee is directly debited from the client account on or about the first day of the quarter in which it will be earned.p. 10
- 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.
The fees for our investment management services do not include: Custodial or prime-broker charges; The fees of any separate account managers; The advisory or management fee paid by a mutual fund or an ETF to the investment advisor of the fund or its affiliate; Other fees and expenses paid directly from a mutual fund or an ETF out of its assets, such as rule 12b-1 distribution fees; or Sales charges or contingent deferred sales charges payable to mutual funds and ETFs, their affiliates, and their distributors.p. 11
- 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, UAS will provide a prorated refund of any prepaid advisory fee covering the remainder of the quarter to which the advisory fee relates.p. 13
Does it explain each conflict of interest and what it could cost you?Brochure Conflict Specificity67/100
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 sells its own products, does it explain how that can shape its advice?
The firm's own products
- 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.
UAS personnel sometimes recommend to clients that they invest in a pooled investment vehicle in which the UAS personnel have an economic interest, such as an ownership interest in the general partner or investment manager of the pooled investment vehicle.p. 12
- 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.
This practice presents a conflict of interest because it gives UAS personnel an incentive to recommend investing in these pooled investment vehicles.p. 12
- 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 which products in your account are the firm's own, and how they compare on cost with outside choices.
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.
We receive nonmonetary benefits, including research services, from broker-dealers in consideration for using their services in executing securities transactions.p. 21
- 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.
In addition, we have an incentive to select or recommend a broker-dealer based on our interest in receiving research or other products and services rather than the interests of our clients in receiving the most favorable execution.p. 21
- 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.
Obtaining research and other benefits from broker-dealers benefits UAS because we do not have to produce or pay for the research, products, and services.p. 21
- 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 is paid for referring clients elsewhere, does it explain those payments?
Payments received for referring clients elsewhere
- 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 addition to receiving valuable services from Schwab Advisor Services, we belong to the Schwab Advisor Network® (“SAN”), through which we receive client referrals.p. 22
- 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.
We pay Schwab fees to receive client referrals through SAN. Our participation in SAN may raise potential conflicts of interest that are discussed here.p. 22
- 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 is paid when it sends you to another company, and by whom.
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 Dollars82/100
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.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
- 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.
Research services include reports on economic and political developments, portfolio strategy, industry and company information, opinions regarding capital market conditions (including market prices, news, and trading information), economic projections, and information about recommended asset allocations and portfolio structures.p. 21
- 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.
Obtaining research and other benefits from broker-dealers benefits UAS because we do not have to produce or pay for the research, products, and services.p. 21
- 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.
In addition, we have an incentive to select or recommend a broker-dealer based on our interest in receiving research or other products and services rather than the interests of our clients in receiving the most favorable execution.p. 21
- 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.
We receive nonmonetary benefits, including research services, from broker-dealers in consideration for using their services in executing securities transactions.p. 21
- 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?Not found in the brochureItem 12.A.1.d
Your trades may be paying for research that helps other clients' accounts, not yours.
What to askAsk whether the research your trades help pay for is used for your account.
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
25 advisors
| Advisor | CRD | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert James Murphy Jr | 2280324 | — | — |
| Jiorden Sanchez | 5692933 | — | — |
| Keith Aaron Douglas | 1807715 | — | — |
| Cynthia Marguerite Somer | 2775970 | — | — |
| Michael Abate | 2315733 | — | — |
| Michael Victor Riccardi | 2238771 | — | — |
| Thomas Francis Healy III | 2162962 | — | — |
| Marianne Hocknell | 2839021 | — | — |
| Thomas Edward Laviano | 4782525 | — | — |
| Allison Marie Sajkoski | 7603234 | — | — |
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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 #107434