FourThought Institutions
FourThought Institutions has helped organizations ranging from startups to larger corporations and multi-million-dollar endowments.
We guide our business clients in developing and managing defined benefit, defined contribution and deferred compensation plans. Leveraging our expansive access to research and data, we deploy our suite of advanced planning tools to provide services including:
- New plan designs
- Plan restructuring, fund transitions and fund mergers
- Portfolio modeling and strategic asset allocation
- Performance measurement and analysis
- Fiduciary audits
- Participant enrollment and communication strategies
- Fund manager identification and reviews
Our value lies not only in our ability to customize plans to our clients’ distinct needs, but also to uncover opportunities and offer creative solutions that positively affect our clients’ bottom lines while benefitting their employees, too.
For our nonprofit clients including foundations and endowments, we provide services designed to protect and grow institutional assets, including:
- Risk and liquidity analyses
- Portfolio modeling and strategic asset allocation
- Spending policy reviews
- Board and investment committee education
- Peer group intelligence and comparisons
- Performance reporting
- Special projects
Our success with foundations and endowments can be attributed in large part to the conflict-free, fiduciary role we assume. We consider it our responsibility to not only provide responsible and compliant investment management, but also to ensure that international best practices are adopted and followed. This allows our clients to worry less about their investments and stay focused on their missions.
We are equal parts fiduciary, financial planner and investment manager. You get a partner who is fundamentally aligned with your goals and aspirations.
Consultant Profiles
Scott Pinkerton, CFP®, AIF®, CIMA®, CPWA®
Scott Pinkerton is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Accredited Investment Fiduciary® who began his career in financial planning in 1985. He also completed the Certified Investment Management Analyst® program through the Wharton School of Finance, and later became a Certified Private Wealth Advisor® through the Investments & Wealth Institute at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. CPWA® is an advanced credential for wealth managers who work with high-net-worth families and individuals, focusing on the life cycle of wealth: accumulation, preservation, and distribution.
Scott has been named multiple times to lists including Barron’s Top 1200 Advisors (2009-2014, 2016-2020, 2022-2023), Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors (2019-2020) and Financial Times 400 Top Advisors (2019).*
Disclosures for Third Party Ratings
Top 1200 Financial Advisors: Barron’s (2023)
*The rankings are based on data provided by around 6,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings:
– Assets under management
– Revenue produced for the firm
– Regulatory record
– Quality of practice
– Philanthropic work
Investment performance isn’t an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients’ risk tolerance than by an advisor’s investment-picking abilities. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. The fee paid to participate in this rating was to cover promotional items and use of the Barron’s banner, etc. *Compensation paid for use of Barron’s ranking logos.
https://www.barrons.com/advisor/report/top-financial-advisors/1000/2023?page=1&
Financial Times 400 Top Advisor: Financial Times (2019) Ignites Research, uses 6 factors to grade advisors: Assets under management, AUM growth rate, Years of experience, Compliance record, Industry certifications, and Online accessibility. No compensation was paid by any individuals or the firm for participation in this rating.
https://www.ft.com/content/ddb3b6e0-78bd-11ea-9840-1b8019d9a987
Top 1200 Financial Advisors: Barron’s (2009-2014, 2016-2020, 2022-2023)
The rankings are based on data provided by around 6,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings:
- Assets under management
- Revenue produced for the firm
- Regulatory record
- Quality of practice
- Philanthropic work
Investment performance isn’t an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients’ risk tolerance than by an advisor’s investment-picking abilities. The rankings are meant as a starting point for clients looking for an advisor—a first-pass vetting that can help investors narrow a search. Every advisor will have his or her own approach to investing, financial planning, and other services. The fee paid to participate in this rating was to cover promotional items and use of the Barron’s banner, etc.
https://www.barrons.com/advisor/report/top-financial-advisors/1000/2023?page=1&
Top 1000 Financial Advisors: Barron’s (2012-2013)
The rankings are based on data provided by over 4,000 of the nation’s most productive advisors. Factors included in the rankings:
- Assets under management
- Revenue produced for the firm
- Regulatory record
- Quality of practice
- Philanthropic work
Investment performance isn’t an explicit component because not all advisors have audited results and because performance figures often are influenced more by clients’ risk tolerance than by an advisor’s investment-picking abilities. The fee paid to participate in this rating was to cover promotional items and use of the Barron’s banner, etc.
https://www.barrons.com/advisor/report/top-financial-advisors/1000/2018?page=1&
Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors: Forbes (2019-2020)
Developed by SHOOK Research. Is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. The algorithm additionally weighs factors such as service models, compliance records and industry experience, and focuses on those that encompass best practices in their approach to working with clients.
All advisors that are considered have a minimum of seven years experience. Portfolio performance is not a criterion due to varying client objectives and lack of audited data. Neither Forbes nor SHOOK receive a fee in exchange for rankings.
https://www.forbes.com/lists/best-in-state-next-gen-advisors/?sh=5e82350b5fc3
Alex Herrington, CFP, Planner
Alex is a Certified Financial Planner™ who has been providing investment and planning guidance to families and individuals for over five years. He started his career with Fidelity Investments in the company’s Boston headquarters, where he held positions including financial representative and relationship manager. After attaining the CFP® designation he transitioned into roles as an investment and financial consultant for Fidelity’s high net worth clients. Prior to his career in financial services he held a variety of customer service and client focused roles. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and finance from the University of Central Florida.
Jake MacFarlane, Associate Analyst
As the Research Analyst for FourThought, Jake MacFarlane is responsible for assisting the investment management team in researching securities and participating on the investment committee. Additional responsibilities include assisting in the management of equity portfolios through comprehensive research reports and stock recommendations, developing and maintaining qualitative and quantitative research processes, providing weekly commentary and portfolio reviews to the investment committee, and contributing to key thought leadership marketing materials such as whitepapers, thematic investing articles, and webinars.
Jake is a graduate of the University of South Florida and holds a degree in finance. Prior to joining FourThought, Jake was employed as an insurance agent working in sales. Jake holds several insurance licenses and is Bloomberg Marketing Concepts (BMC) certified.
Part of a Family of Companies
FourThought Institutions is part of a family of companies that meet the diverse planning and investment management needs of a wide array of people and organizations. Our holding company is FourThought Financial, which also includes FourThought Private Wealth and FourThought Signature, created to serve the unique needs of ultra-high-net-worth investors, multi-generational families and family offices.
