Otto & Associates, Inc.

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Client assets under management

$286,498,121

Clients

152

50% high-net-worth

Advisors

of 6 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-4 advisors or >$200M in AUM

Clients per advisor

Typical

Average account size

$1,884,856

About

Otto & Associates, Inc. provides personalized financial planning and discretionary investment management primarily to individuals and families, and also to charitable organizations, trusts, estates, pension and profit‑sharing plans, and small businesses. The firm manages approximately $286.6 million for about 155 clients and offers tailored planning, implementation assistance, and ongoing portfolio oversight.

The firm’s investment process emphasizes strategic asset allocation and the long‑term use of no‑load mutual funds and ETFs, with fundamental analysis informing security selection and selective technical analysis applied to opportunities such as closed‑end fund discounts. An internal Investment Committee of the firm’s advisors sets policy and conducts periodic (at least semi‑annual) reviews, and the firm implements portfolios on a discretionary basis under limited trading authorization.

Otto & Associates is a fee‑only, family‑owned RIA with a three‑advisor team and the founder still involved; the firm does not accept commissions or sell financial products. It charges for an initial exploratory meeting, maintains account minimums (with discretion to waive), and makes available alternative billing arrangements (retainer and hourly), while also employing private alternative investments and tactical closed‑end fund strategies that are less common among peers of similar size.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting

Expertise

Private / alternative investments Cash flow / budgeting General tax planning General retirement planning

Fee options

Fixed

Initial exploratory meeting fee: $1,500; Financial plan minimum fee: $3,000 (negotiable); Retirement plan minimum fee: $1,500 (generally not negotiable); Retainer services annual fee negotiable

Percentage

$0 - $1,250,000: 1.0% $1,250,000 - $2,500,000: 0.5% $2,500,000+: 0.25%

Project-based

$275 per hour for limited scope financial planning and follow-on implementation work beyond original plan

Subscriptions

Annual retainer fee offered as alternative to asset-based fee; amount negotiable

Other

Account minimum: $300,000 Minimum fee: $3,000 minimum annual fee, negotiable, charged if account below $300,000 Fee-only: Fee-only; no commissions accepted

Main office location

Otto & Associates, Inc.

16 Beaver Meadow Road

Norwich VT 05055, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

California · Florida · Massachusetts · New Hampshire · New York · North Carolina · Texas · Vermont

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is not active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

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

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 Form ADV Part 3: Client Relationship

Quick links

Website 802-649-1946

Advisors at this firm

Susan G

CFP®

Norwich, VT

Otto & Associates, Inc.

Susan Goodell is a CFP® professional with 12 years of experience, currently serving at Otto & Associates, Inc. in Norwich, VT, where she has worked since 2009. Otto & Associates serves individuals, families, charitable organizations, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and small businesses, providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management. The firm employs a fee-only model focused on asset allocation and fundamental analysis, utilizing no-load mutual funds, ETFs, and selective alternative investments.

Private / alternative investments Cash flow / budgeting General tax planning General retirement planning

Deborah M

CFP®

Norwich, VT

Otto & Associates, Inc.

Deborah Maher is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving at Otto & Associates, Inc. in Norwich, VT. She has been with Otto & Associates since 1997, contributing to the firm’s advisory services over a long tenure. Otto & Associates serves individuals, families, charitable organizations, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and small businesses, providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management. The firm emphasizes asset allocation and fundamental analysis, using a fee-only model with a mix of no-load mutual funds, ETFs, and selective alternative investments.

Private / alternative investments Cash flow / budgeting General tax planning General retirement planning

David O

CFP®

Norwich, VT

Otto & Associates, Inc.

David Otto is a CFP® professional with 22 years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He has been with Otto & Associates, Inc. since 1985 and is based in Norwich, VT. Otto & Associates serves individuals, families, charitable organizations, trusts, estates, retirement plans, and small businesses by providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management. The firm employs a fee-only model focused on asset allocation and fundamental analysis, with core holdings in no-load mutual funds and ETFs, while incorporating private alternative investments and closed-end funds.

Private / alternative investments Cash flow / budgeting General tax planning General retirement planning

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