A Comprehensive Fiduciary Oversight Process

As a fiduciary, you are responsible for ensuring that your Defined Contribution Plan (401(k)), Defined Benefit Plan (Pension Fund), Endowment, or Family Trust follows a structured oversight process.

GFP partners with Third-Party Administrators (TPAs), Attorneys, and other trusted advisors to ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and align investment strategies with legal and regulatory requirements. Our four-step fiduciary process enhances governance, streamlines decision-making, and safeguards assets for participants and beneficiaries.



Plans We Serve

01

Defined Benefit Plans

A retirement plan that guarantees a fixed payout based on factors like salary and years of service. Employers fund and manage investments, assuming all risks. Examples include traditional pension plans. We advise ongoing as well as frozen plans.


02

Defined Contribution Plans

 A retirement plan where employees, employers, or both contribute funds, with benefits depending on contributions and investment performance. Examples include 401(k) and 403(b) plans.


03

Endowments

An investment fund established by businesses, universities or nonprofits to support long-term financial needs consisting of diversified assets, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments, managed for growth and income while preserving capital.


04

Family Trusts

When it comes to estate planning, taxation, and asset protection, Revocable Trusts and Irrevocable Trusts serve different purposes. Each type of trust provides unique advantages and limitations, especially when used for investment accounts.


Why Fiduciary Oversight?

A sound, pragmatic fiduciary-centric process increases your knowledge and helps mitigate risk. By following this universal fiduciary oversight process, GFP helps organizations and individuals confidently manage their investment portfolios while mitigating risk and ensuring compliance.

01

Investment Policy Statement (IPS)

A well-structured Investment Policy Statement (IPS)  serves as the foundation for sound investment oversight. It outlines financial objectives, risk tolerance, asset classes, and asset allocation strategies while ensuring compliance with fiduciary responsibilities.

  • Defined Contribution Plans: The IPS ensures alignment with
    ERISA 404(c), the SECURE Act, and participant needs, balancing diverse investment objectives and risk tolerances.
  • Defined Benefit Plans: The IPS incorporates long-term funding goals and liability-driven investment (LDI) strategies to support future obligations.
  • Endowments: The IPS guides capital preservation, income generation, and long-term sustainability, ensuring alignment with the institution’s mission.
  • Family Trusts: The IPS defines the trust’s financial objectives, with a focus on wealth preservation, intergenerational planning, and tax efficiency.

GFP conducts annual IPS reviews to ensure ongoing compliance and alignment with changing market conditions, regulatory updates, and strategic objectives.



04

Watchlist Management & Fiduciary Oversight

To maintain consistent investment oversight, GFP provides a structured Watchlist, ensuring fiduciary compliance and investment accountability.

  • Defined Contribution & Defined Benefit Plans: Track investment performance, ensuring fund offerings align with IPS criteria and fiduciary obligations.
  • Endowments & Family Trusts: Monitor investments to ensure long-term sustainability, tax efficiency, and alignment with financial goals.

GFP proactively updates the Watchlist, recommending changes as needed to maintain a disciplined and fiduciary-focused investment strategy.


02

Asset Allocation & Investment Selections

Using the IPS as a roadmap, GFP constructs diversified investment portfolios that balance risk and return while addressing unique financial objectives:

  • Defined Contribution Plans: Provide a diversified menu of investment options across 12 to 18 asset classes, including Target Date Models that simplify participant decision-making.
  • Defined Benefit Plans: Implement LDI strategies to optimize portfolio allocations, aligning assets with long-term liabilities and funding requirements.
  • Endowments: Develop a strategic allocation plan, integrating fixed income, equities, alternative assets, and mission-aligned investments.
  • Family Trusts: Focus on multi-generational wealth preservation, employing tax-efficient investment strategies such as low-turnover funds and tax-loss harvesting.

GFP ensures that investment selection aligns with risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and fiduciary best practices.



03

Ongoing Monitoring & Risk Management

GFP conducts quarterly portfolio evaluations using a disciplined due diligence process, including a 9-Point Morningstar analysis*, ensuring that all investment choices remain competitive and appropriate.

  • Identify underperforming funds for review and potential replacement.
  • Assess portfolio alignment with risk tolerance, liquidity needs, and financial goals.
  • Adjust allocations as necessary to manage volatility and enhance risk-adjusted returns.

This structured monitoring process ensures that investments continue to meet fiduciary and performance expectations.


Our Cost-Effective Approach

Our collaboration with business owners, TPAs, attorneys, and other financial professionals strengthens fiduciary governance, enhances regulatory alignment, and ensures investment strategies remain tailored to your long-term objectives. We offer both hard dollar and fee based solutions. Let's start a conversation!

A man with a beard is wearing a black jacket and a pink shirt.

PatRICK Guinet, CIMA®

Founding Partner