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Chartwell Agency
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Savant Capital Management ReceivesStandard of ExcellenceCertification
Among the first in the U.S. to be independently certified for ERISA 3(16) Plan Administrators
CHICAGO, IL (February3, 2016) –Savant Capital Management, one of the nation’s largest independent registered investment advisory firms today announced it has received the Service Provider Certification for adhering to the Centre for Fiduciary Excellence (CEFEX) standard of excellence for Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) 3(16) Plan Administrators. Savant is among one of the first organizations in the nation to be independently certified in this role.
The Service Provider certification is an independent recognition of an Administrator’s conformity to therelevant practices and criteria within the American Society of Pension Processionals & Actuaries (ASPPA) Standard of Practice and the standard “Prudent Practices for Investment Stewards” published by fi360 Inc. The certification implies that the firm can demonstrate adherence to the industry’s best practices, and is positioned to serve fiduciaries such as Investment Managers and Investment Stewards.
Savant has been certified for various plan administrator functions as regulated by ERISA, which include both fiduciary and administrative functions. The firm’s fiduciary functions include selection of plan providers, interpretation of the terms of the plan and making decisions on claims for benefits. It also includes authorizing distributions, loans and any other plan transactions, managing fiduciary governance and maintaining documentation, and signing all attestations required in governmental filings, including Form 5500.
The firm’s administrative functions include serving as a single point of contact for the plan sponsor, service providers and plan participants related to administrative matters, reviewing plan design for enhancements and modifications and disseminating enrollment materials to new participants. Other administrative functions includepreparing and maintaining IRS approved plan documents, determining employee eligibility, calculating benefits and applying other benefit rules and preparing required employee communications.
CEFEX conducts annual assessments according to the international standard ISO 17021. This standard serves as the foundation for facilitating and recognition of CEFEX certifications. The assessment process involves a detailed review of plan documents, policies and procedures followed by interviews with key personnel.
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About Savant Capital Management
Savant Capital Management is a leading independent, nationally-recognized, fee-only firm, serving clients for 30 years with more than $4 Billion in assets under management. As a trusted advisor, Savant Capital Management offers investment management, financial planning and family office services to financially established individuals and institutions. Savant also offers corporate accounting, tax preparation,payroll and consulting through its affiliate, Savant Tax & Consulting.
Savant is regularly recognized among the top wealth managers in the United States. Savant was the recipient of the 2015 Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™, part of Schwab’s IMPACT Awards® program to recognize excellence in the business of independent financial advice. Savant has consistently received other industry recognitions such as being named a top RIA firm by Financial Planning magazine, Financial Advisor magazine and Investment News and being recognized by Barron’s magazine as a top advisor in the United States.
Savant Capital Management is a Registered Investment Advisor. Savant’s marketing material should not be construed by any existing or prospective client as a guarantee that they will experience a certain level of results if they engage Savant’s services and may include lists or rankings published by magazines and other sources which are generally based exclusively on information prepared and submitted by the recognized advisor. For more information about Savant or to view our Important Disclosures, go to
Savant Capital Management and its employees are independent of and are not employees or agents of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”). Schwab does not prepare, verify or endorse information distributed by Savant Capital Management. The Best-in-Business IMPACT Award™ is not an endorsement, testimonial endorsement, recommendation or referral to Savant Capital Management with respect to its investment advisory and other services.
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