CochranMickels Retirement Specialists, LLC

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Client assets under management

$30,312,799

Clients

21% high-net-worth

Advisors

of 3 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-4 advisors or >$200M in AUM

Clients per advisor

Low

Average account size

$721,733

About

CochranMickels Retirement Specialists is a small, two-advisor registered investment adviser that serves individuals and high-net-worth clients, providing discretionary and non-discretionary asset management alongside standalone financial planning and consulting. The firm manages about $30.3 million for roughly 42 client relationships and documents client goals and investment restrictions in individual client files.

The firm’s investment process combines fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory to build customized asset allocations and long-term purchase strategies, with periodic rebalancing and quarterly account reviews that consider tax-loss harvesting opportunities. Clients may impose written restrictions (for example, socially conscious investing), and the firm delivers full financial plans or targeted consultations based on each client’s stated objectives and risk tolerance.

A notable feature is the firm’s affiliation with an insurance business: one owner maintains an independent insurance agency and sells insurance products for separate compensation, a relationship the brochure discloses and describes as mitigated by disclosures and the firm’s fiduciary obligations. Operationally, the firm requires use of specified custodians (Altruist or Interactive Brokers), does not vote client proxies (clients receive and vote their own proxies), and discloses that advisory representatives may receive external insurance commissions — distinctions that are less common among peers in this advisor category.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management

Expertise

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting

Fee options

Fixed

Full financial plans charged a flat fee between $2,500 and $5,000.

Percentage

$0 - $50,000: 1.45% $50,000.01 - $100,000: 1.40% $100,000.01 - $250,000: 1.35% $250,000.01 - $500,000: 1.30% $500,000.01 - $1,000,000: 1.25% $1,000,000.01 - $2,000,000: 1.00% $2,000,000.01 - $5,000,000: 0.80% $5,000,000.01 - $10,000,000: 0.60% $10,000,000.01+: 0.50%

Project-based

$300 per hour for financial consultation services.

Main office location

CochranMickels Retirement Specialists, LLC

4801 University Square Drive,, Suite 26

Huntsville AL 35816, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

Alabama · Florida · Texas

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Is not active or affiliated with:

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure

Quick links

LinkedIn Facebook Website 256-417-4870

Advisors at this firm

Mike M

Series 63, Series 65

Huntsville, AL

CochranMickels Retirement Specialists, LLC

Mike Mickels is a financial advisor with CochranMickels Retirement Specialists, LLC in Huntsville, Alabama, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and possessing 11 years of industry experience. His prior work includes roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Principal Life Insurance Company. Outside of his advisory role, he operates as an independent licensed insurance agent. CochranMickels Retirement Specialists is a two-advisor firm serving individuals and high-net-worth clients with discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, as well as financial planning and consulting. The firm utilizes fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory to create customized asset allocations and long-term strategies, incorporating periodic rebalancing and tax-loss harvesting in quarterly reviews.

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting

Lucas S

Series 65

Huntsville, AL

CochranMickels Retirement Specialists, LLC

Lucas Staples is a financial advisor at CochranMickels Retirement Specialists, LLC with two years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and has worked at CochranMickels Retirement Specialists since 2014. CochranMickels Retirement Specialists is a small, two-advisor firm serving individuals and high-net-worth clients through discretionary and non-discretionary asset management, financial planning, and consulting. The firm employs a combination of fundamental analysis and Modern Portfolio Theory to create customized asset allocations, conducts quarterly reviews including tax-loss harvesting, and accommodates client-imposed investment restrictions.

General retirement planning Retirement income strategy Cash flow / budgeting Tax-loss harvesting

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