Walton Financial is a investment adviser based in Birmingham, AL, that holds a 86.8/100 Fidelon TransparencyScore (58th percentile among SEC-registered advisers), with 3 registered advisors. Score based on public SEC and FINRA filings.
Walton Financial
Walton Financial · CRD #331634
A fee-only investment adviser with a clean regulatory record and fiduciary commitment.
Fidelon Fact Sheet
Walton Financial is an SEC-registered investment adviser in Birmingham, AL. It used to be called Ac Financial Partners. It has 3 registered advisors. It manages $182.9 million across 526 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 and portfolio management. 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
4,566th of 10,815
SEC-registered advisers
Top 42%
25th of 79
SEC-registered advisers in AL
Top 32%
10th of 37
SEC-registered advisers in Birmingham, AL
Top 27%
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
What you’d pay
Your balance falls in the All accounts band, charged at 0.10% on the full amount.
This fee is negotiable
“All Walton Financial advisory program fees are negotiable.”
From their Form ADV Part 2A. Most investors never ask.
Not included above
- • Transaction charges of $15 for buys and sells in certain mutual fund families, $1 per contract for options, $5 quarterly paper document fee, mutual fund 12b-1 fees, subtransfer agent fees, distributor fees, mutual fund transaction and redemption fees, IRA and qualified retirement plan fees, brokerage account fees and charges, and securities clearance and settlement fees with markup
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 | 0.10% |
Billed quarterly in advance or in arrears
Extracted from Form ADV Part 2A brochure
Specializations
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
Things You Should Know
- Its brochure says some of its people can earn insurance commissions, but it does not say you can buy the same products elsewhere, commissions can shape what they recommend, or whether commissions lower your advisory fee. Ask whether you could buy any recommended product through another broker or insurer.Item 5.E
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
“Since the fees we receive are asset-based (i.e. based on the value of your account), we have an incentive to increase your account value which creates a conflict especially for those accounts holding illiquid or hard-to-value assets;”
“One person providing investment advice on behalf of our firm are licensed as an independent insurance agent. This persons will earn commission-based compensation for selling insurance products.”
Source: the firm’s own Form CRS, filed 2024-05-15 — 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.
86/100
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.
61/100
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
- 95/100
- Does it explain how the firm's conflicts affect you?
- Conflicts of interest
- 100/100
- Can you tell what you would pay?
- What you pay
- 69/100
- Is it written in plain English?
- Plain language
- 92/100
This firm's Form CRS averages 89 out of 100. It adds 7.25 points once the firm's filings and record score 90 on their own; they score 86.75 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 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.
Annual asset management fees generally range between 0.10% and 1.5%.p. 10
- 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.
All Walton Financial advisory program fees are negotiable.p. 13
- 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.
Managed account fees are typically automatically charged to the client’s account pursuant to instructions provided to the account custodian by Walton Financial.p. 14
- 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.
In most cases, the annual account management fees are payable quarterly in advance and are computed as one-quarter of the annual fee based on the account’s AUM on the last business day of the previous calendar quarter.p. 12
- 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 the annual management fee, and unless otherwise agreed between the client and the advisor, clients participating in the PPS Custom Program will pay transaction charges as described in the “Other Fees and/or Costs” section below.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.
In the event a client terminates an advisory agreement with Walton Financial any unearned fees resulting from payments made by clients in advance will be refunded to the client.p. 13
Does it explain each conflict of interest and what it could cost you?Brochure Conflict Specificity68/100
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.
Our relationship with Commonwealth requires that we maintain a certain level of assets within Commonwealth’s PPS program and/or our own asset management program. This creates an incentive to recommend that you establish and maintain your account with Commonwealth, based on our interest in receiving Commonwealth’s services that benefit our business rather than based on your interest in receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution of your transactions.p. 28
- 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 creates an incentive to recommend that you establish and maintain your account with Commonwealth, based on our interest in receiving Commonwealth’s services that benefit our business rather than based on your interest in receiving the best value in custody services and the most favorable execution of your transactions.p. 28
- 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.
Commonwealth also offers other services intended to help us manage and further develop our business enterprise.p. 28
- 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.
Commonwealth offers our firm and our firm’s advisory representatives one or more forms of financial benefits based on our advisory representatives’ total AUM held at Commonwealth or financial assistance for advisory representatives transitioning from another firm to Commonwealth.p. 31
- 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 enhanced payouts, discounts, and other forms of financial benefits that advisory representatives may receive from Commonwealth are a conflict of interest and provide a financial incentive for advisory representatives to select Commonwealth as broker/dealer for your accounts over other broker/dealers from which they may not receive similar financial benefits.p. 31
- 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 anyone was paid to refer you to the firm, and whether that affects what you pay.
If its people can earn insurance commissions, does it explain them?
Insurance commissions
An adviser's own license, not the firm's — scored once under Sales Compensation
Advisors associated with Walton Financial are licensed insurance agents. In this role, our advisors offer insurance products to clients when appropriate. Our firm’s insurance business is an insignificant portion of our overall business; however, our advisors will earn commission compensation if you purchase insurance from them.p. 26
Do they earn commissions on products, and do they say so?Brochure Sales Compensation40/100
When a firm or its people sell products for a commission, the SEC asks the brochure to say so, name the pull, and tell you whether you could buy elsewhere.
Each point is marked Covered or Not found. When a point is not found, we say what to ask.
- Does it say that earning commissions is a conflict of interest?CoveredItem 5.E.1
A firm paid to sell a product has a reason to recommend it that has nothing to do with you.
Our firm’s insurance business is an insignificant portion of our overall business; however, our advisors will earn commission compensation if you purchase insurance from them.p. 26
- Does it say commissions can shape what they recommend?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.1
Naming the pull is the first step to controlling it; silence leaves it working on you.
What to askAsk how the firm keeps commissions from steering the advice you get.
- Does it say you can buy the same products elsewhere?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.2
You may be able to buy the same product for less somewhere else.
What to askAsk whether you could buy any recommended product through another broker or insurer.
- Does it say whether commissions lower your advisory fee?Not found in the brochureItem 5.E.4
If the firm earns a commission and the full advisory fee, you pay twice for one recommendation.
What to askAsk whether any commission the firm earns is credited against your advisory fee.
Do they get free research or services from brokers, and does it affect you?Brochure Soft DollarsNot applicable
Not applicable: the brochure describes custodian services only, not research or other benefits received
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
3 advisors
| Advisor | CRD | Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisa Jean Gamble | 4654650 | — | — |
| Derrell Glenn Crimm | 4393758 | — | — |
| Scott Andrew Walton | 2315752 | — | — |
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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 #331634