What is Accuplan?Accuplan Locations, Timings, Email, Phone, Services
Accuplan Benefits Services is a financial services company that provides self-directed IRAs and other retirement accounts. They are a leading provider of self-directed IRA administration and have been an integral part of thousands of investors’ success.
They began helping clients in the estate planning business in 1985 as an estate-planning business, and the next step in their evolution was in 2007 when Accuplan Benefits Services began. Along with their sister company and IRA custodian, American Estate and Trust, their experience and broad understanding helped them become the proper self-directed account administrator for you and your future.
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Accuplan Benefits Services offers a wide range of self-directed IRA options, including traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs. They also offer self-directed 401(k) plans and HSAs. With Accuplan Benefits Services, you can invest in a wide range of assets, including real estate, precious metals, and private businesses.
Accuplan Benefits Services is a low-cost provider of self-directed IRA administration. They offer a variety of fee options to fit your needs. They also have a team of experienced professionals who can help you with all aspects of your self-directed IRA, from account opening to investment selection.
- Address: 515 E 4500 S Ste G200 Salt Lake City, UT 84107-4503
- Phone: 1-800-454-2649
- Website: https://www.accuplannet/
People Behind Accuplan: CEO, Owner, Co-Founders & MoreWho owns Accuplan? What is the management team behind Accuplan?
Jodie S. (Paralegal) at Accuplan:
Meet Jodie S., she is an accomplished and highly skilled certified Paralegal who holds a Master’s degree in her field. Currently, she dedicates her expertise to the esteemed team at Accuplan Benefits Services as a Paralegal with a focus on real estate matters. With an extensive background in the legal realm, Jodie possesses a wealth of knowledge that spans various domains, making her an invaluable asset to the organization.
One of Jodie’s primary areas of expertise lies in real estate, where she has honed her skills over the years. Additionally, she boasts a comprehensive understanding of business organizations, estate planning, and title insurance, which further enhances her ability to offer well-rounded legal support.
Jodie’s proficiency shines particularly in drafting various essential documents. She excels in crafting meticulous entity formation documents, ensuring that businesses are established on a solid legal foundation. Moreover, her talent extends to the realm of estate planning, where she assists clients in creating robust and tailored plans to protect their assets and secure their loved ones’ futures.
In addition to her prowess in entity formation and estate planning, Jodie is also well-versed in handling real estate closing documents. She ensures that each transaction is handled with precision and care, facilitating smooth and successful property transfers.
Ben Barker (Director of Business Development):
Ben Barker, with a background in B.S. Finance and a Certified Estate Advisor (CEA) designation, brings a wealth of experience to his role. In his professional journey, he has previously served as an Accounting Manager for a retail outlet chain and as a Financial Analyst for an education firm. With over 10 years of experience as a fiduciary officer, Ben possesses extensive expertise in creating trusts, establishing business entities, and managing retirement accounts.
Ben plays a vital role in supporting and guiding clients in precious metals and alternative IRA investing. This includes facilitating investments in real estate, private placements, and private businesses. Additionally, he is instrumental in crafting personalized IRA and solo 401(k) plans tailored to meet individual financial goals and needs. With his diverse background and dedication to client success, Ben contributes significantly to the growth and success of Accuplan.
Brian Davis (Self-Directed IRA specialist):
Brian Davis is an experienced Self-Directed IRA specialist who has been serving Southern California since his graduation from UC Santa Barbara in 2001. Over the years, he has worked with several reputable companies in the mortgage and insurance industries before focusing on the Self-Directed IRA sector for the past five years. As the Director of Business Development at Accuplan for the last couple of years, Brian has established himself as a trusted advisor in the Self-Directed retirement arena.
With more than a dozen years of experience in financial services, Brian possesses extensive knowledge not only in self-directed retirement planning but also in various other areas such as life insurance, annuities, real estate investing, trust deed investing, Crowd Funding, and personal financing. He is dedicated to assisting clients and business partners by offering a range of educational programs, catering from the basics to advanced investing techniques using Checkbook IRAs or self-trusted Solo 401(k) plans. Brian’s own experiences with Self-Directed IRA investing provide valuable insights, enabling him to guide his clients effectively.
Brian’s upbringing in Northern California, where he worked in a multi-generational family agricultural business, has given him a profound understanding of the challenges faced by small entrepreneurial business owners. This empathy helps him connect well with his clients, many of whom are also entrepreneurs. Having opened over a thousand Self-Directed accounts and handled numerous transactions, Brian has the expertise to assist individuals in investing their retirement funds in alternative investments confidently. His passion for educating and guiding clients makes him a valuable asset in the world of Self-Directed IRAs.
Bryan Calderon (Vice President-Director Business Development):
Bryan Calderon holds a significant leadership position as the Vice President – Director of Business Development at Accuplan Benefits Services. With his role in this esteemed company, Bryan plays a vital role in shaping and driving the business development strategies to achieve the company’s goals and objectives.
With an extensive professional background and experience in the financial industry, Bryan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his position. He has likely spent years honing his skills and cultivating relationships within the industry, allowing him to excel in his current role. As the Vice President – Director of Business Development, Bryan is responsible for identifying new business opportunities, forging partnerships, and establishing strong relationships with clients and partners.
His ability to envision the company’s future growth and effectively implement strategies to achieve it makes him a valuable asset to Accuplan Benefits Services. Bryan’s leadership and guidance are instrumental in expanding the company’s reach and presence in the marketplace, ensuring that the organization remains competitive and at the forefront of its industry.
Bryan’s leadership, dedication, and vision contribute to Accuplan Benefits Services’ continued success and reputation as a reputable financial institution. His role as the Vice President – Director of Business Development reflects his commitment to driving the company’s growth and ensuring that it remains at the forefront of the industry, providing top-notch services and support to its clients.
Allan Small (Director of Business Development):
Allan Small has an impressive twenty-two years of experience in the financial services industry, and he has been with Accuplan for a decade. With a degree from the University of Michigan, he has received a comprehensive education in financial planning services. Throughout his career, Allan has worked with financial professionals specializing in wealth management, investment, tax, income, and estate planning.
In 2006, Allan moved to the Phoenix area to establish an insurance marketing firm with a focus on advisor education, compliance, and providing comprehensive case design services. While he excels in this role, his true passion lies in developing tailored strategies and case designs to help individuals achieve their financial goals and find financial peace of mind. He continually seeks to add value and opportunities for advisors to assist their clients in reaching their financial objectives.
Allan emphasizes the importance of having a deep understanding of life insurance, annuities, and asset-based long-term care solutions in his profession. As part of his commitment to professional growth and networking, he previously served on the Board of Directors for the Financial Planning Association of Phoenix for five years. During his tenure, he contributed significantly as both Partnership and Membership Director, revamping benefits for partners and attracting new sponsors, while also actively engaging current members and recruiting new ones.
Accuplan Products: Bullion Coins, Bars, And Rare CoinsAll products offered by Accuplan
Accuplan offers a comprehensive range of products and services that cater to individuals and businesses seeking to take control of their financial future.
Here are the main services provided by the company:
- Self-Directed IRA Administration: Accuplan specializes in self-directed Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) that grant investors the freedom to choose from a vast array of alternative investment options beyond traditional stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. With a self-directed IRA, clients can explore investments such as real estate, precious metals, private equity, and more, allowing them to diversify their portfolios and potentially enhance returns.
- Self-Directed 401(k) Plan Setup: Accuplan provides services for setting up self-directed 401(k) plans for individuals and small business owners. These plans empower investors with more control over their retirement funds, allowing them to invest in a broader range of assets, including real estate, private placements, and more, to build wealth for retirement.
- Checkbook Control IRA LLC (ICO): With an ICO arrangement, Accuplan enables investors to establish a Limited Liability Company (LLC) within their IRA, granting them checkbook control over their retirement funds. This level of control allows for quicker and more seamless investment decisions, as investors can directly access and manage their IRA funds without custodial approval delays.
- IRA LLC Account Debit Card: Accuplan offers the convenience of an IRA LLC account debit card, allowing investors to make transactions using their self-directed IRA funds directly from their LLC checking account. This feature streamlines the investment process and enhances accessibility to funds for approved investments.
- 401(k) Small Business Financing: For small business owners seeking financing options, Accuplan facilitates 401(k) small business financing. This innovative approach allows entrepreneurs to use their existing 401(k) funds to invest in or finance their business ventures, providing an alternative funding solution without incurring early withdrawal penalties.
How to Invest in Accuplan IRA?Step-by-step guide for investing in Accuplan IRA
To invest in a precious metals IRA through Accuplan, here are the general steps:
- Open a Self-Directed IRA
Select an IRA company that handles opening precious metals IRA accounts and fill out an application. You can work with Accuplan to recommend an IRA company and provide the necessary paperwork. However, I don’t recommend doing so.
- Fund Your IRA
Once you have selected an IRA company, you can move your funds into your new IRA account. You can work with the IRA company representative to transfer or roll over funds into the new account.
- Select a Precious Metals Dealer
One of the forms you need to fill out along the way is typically called a Buy Direction Letter. This is where you list the precious metals dealer you have selected, such as Accuplan.
- Decide Which Precious Metals to Purchase
You can choose to invest in gold, silver, platinum, or palladium for your IRA. There are some restrictions regarding fineness requirements and allowable coin types, so it’s important to get guidance from Accuplan in this area.
- Place Your Order
Once the funds are available in your IRA account, you can call them to place your order for the desired precious metals.
For individuals specifically looking for a precious metals dealer that offers IRA services and the associated benefits, they may need to explore alternative providers in the market.
I don’t recommend opening an IRA with Accuplan. That’s why I suggest checking out our top gold IRA providers list. There, you can find the best precious metals dealer in your state and choose accordingly.
Also, the list will help you understand what the industry’s best has to offer and what you might miss out on.
Accuplan Fees and Charges: Do they overcharge?What are their fees? Do they have hidden fees?
Accuplan offers a transparent Fee Schedule that showcases their competitive pricing for various account types. For Retirement accounts, clients are charged a yearly Account Fee of $275, which can be waived, and there is no Setup Fee. To open a Retirement account, a minimum cash deposit of $395 is required.
For Personal accounts, the monthly Account Fee is $8, and just like Retirement accounts, the Setup Fee is waived. The minimum cash deposit needed to establish a Personal account is $100.
In addition to traditional investments, Accuplan also facilitates cryptocurrency investing with clear and straightforward fees. The minimum fee for investing in cryptocurrencies through Accuplan is only $10.
For cryptocurrency investments less than $1,000, a transaction fee of 1.75% is applied. For investments between $1,001 and $5,000, the transaction fee decreases to 1.5%. Similarly, investments ranging from $5,001 to $10,000 incur a transaction fee of 1.0%.
For larger investments, the fees continue to reduce. For investments between $10,001 and $25,000, the transaction fee drops to 0.75%. And for investments exceeding $25,000, the fee decreases to 0.5%, with a maximum cap of $10,000.
Accuplan’s fee structure demonstrates its commitment to providing competitive pricing for various account types and investment options, making it an attractive choice for individuals seeking to manage their retirement funds or venture into the world of cryptocurrency investing.
Companies like Augusta charge ZERO fees for up to 10 years, allowing you to choose your own gold & silver. Accuplan on the other hand provides fewer options.
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Social Media Presence of Accuplan:Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram
Twitter Handle of Accuplan:
The company has an account on Twitter. They have 191 followers and are following 293 accounts. Accuplan joined Twitter in July 2013.
Facebook Page of Accuplan:
Accuplan has 290 followers on its Facebook account. The company has 266 likes and 3.9 stars out of 5-star ratings with 14 reviews.
LinkedIn Page of Accuplan:
The company has a LinkedIn profile with 79 followers. A total of 12 employees have their profiles on LinkedIn. Their company size is 11-50 employees.
Youtube Channel of Accuplan:
Accuplan created its channel on Youtube on 24 October 2004. They have posted 16 videos to date, and a total of 35 people are their followers. The business got 9,440 views till now on its videos.
Accuplan Reviews and Complaints: BBB, Trustpilot, SitejabberRead all the Accuplan reviews & complaints
Better Business Bureau (BBB):
On the Better Business Bureau website, Accuplan has no star ratings with no customer reviews. They are since 38 years in the industry. A total of 1 complaint have been filed and closed in the last 3 years. Some complaints have been filed against the company and its owner. This business is also not BBB accredited on Better Business Bureau website.
If a business has been operating for 38 years but has no reviews, no ratings, and is not accredited by the BBB, it can have several potential meanings:
Lack of Online Presence:
The business may not have actively sought online reviews or ratings, leading to a scarcity of public feedback. Some businesses, especially older ones, might have focused on traditional marketing and customer engagement methods, neglecting their online presence.
Limited Customer Engagement:
The business might not have actively encouraged customers to leave reviews or provide ratings. In some cases, customers may not have been prompted to share their experiences, leading to a lack of online feedback.
Yelp:
On Yelp, Accuplan has only 1 star out of 5-star ratings based on 20 customer reviews. Reviews presented mostly are negative customer ratings. Customers criticized the company and its services.
Trustpilot:
On the Trustpilot website, Accuplan has 3.4 stars out of 5-star ratings. Only 5 customers reviewed them on Trustpilot. The business has an average rating on Trustpilot. The average rating on Trustpilot with only five customer reviews is not very meaningful. This is because the average rating is calculated by averaging the star ratings of all reviews, and with only five reviews, there is no meaningful average to be calculated.
Google Reviews:
On Google, Accuplan has 4.1 stars out of 5-star ratings based on various customer reviews. There are a total of 27 customer reviews on Google, and most of them are positive, with customers praising the company’s excellent customer service, professionalism, and expertise.
Some Positive Reviews:
#1. Vickie Carroll shares her positive experience, stating that she had to leave her phone number, and to her surprise, someone from the company called her back. The individual who called was incredibly helpful, providing valuable assistance during their interaction.
#2. According to Kimberly McIntire, Accuplan Benefits Service is exceptional! She commends them for going the extra mile to cater to their client’s needs, especially when it comes to the timely conversion of Traditional IRAs to Roths. Their dedication to service is truly praiseworthy!
#3. Betty Morrow shares her positive experience, praising the investment company as being excellent. She highlights their strong support in both the opening and closing of investments, as well as managing her IRA account. Betty is impressed by the helpful and positive staff, making the overall experience pleasant and smooth to work with.
#4. According to John Krish, the individual he had the opportunity to speak with displayed remarkable qualities of patience, politeness, and professionalism. Thanks to her assistance, she ensured that he correctly filled out the withdrawal form, ultimately saving him a significant amount of time.
#5. Elias Typaldos expresses his satisfaction with the company, describing them as great to work with! He specifically acknowledges Ben Barker for his outstanding assistance, as he played a pivotal role in making the entire process fast, painless, and remarkably simple.
Some Negative Reviews:
#1. Jean reveals that she and her husband had individual accounts, and unfortunately, the businesses they invested in through Accuplan went bankrupt. However, Jean expresses deep frustration with Accuplan’s actions, stating that they received 1099 forms falsely claiming they had withdrawn the money. Despite providing the necessary paperwork to rectify the situation, Accuplan has failed to correct its records.
#2. Yvonne expresses her extreme dissatisfaction, stating that if it were possible to score below zero, she definitely would. According to her, the company engages in deceptive tactics, purposely stalling and presenting a confusing web of inconsistencies while serving as a retirement fund and asset custodian, particularly targeting vulnerable older people individuals. To make matters worse, she describes their so-called “customer service” representatives as bullies who intentionally complicate what should be a straightforward process.
#3. Peter expresses his dissatisfaction with the service, describing it as terrible. He shares a concerning situation involving a client who is unable to withdraw her money from the investment and to make matters worse, the company is not responding to calls. Even when Peter attempted to speak with the representative, the new representative declined to talk to him, despite having the client on the phone and consenting to the conversation. Now, the company has reached a point where they won’t communicate with the client at all, refusing to return his calls.
Is Accuplan Legit? Should You Invest With Them?Is Accuplan a scam or legit? Are they worth it?
Accuplan boasts a long history in the industry, spanning over 30+ years, which disqualifies them as a scam. However, despite their longevity, customer reviews and interactions paint a less favorable picture of the company’s performance.
Pros:
- Over 13 years of industry experience
- Live chat feature on its website
Cons:
- Limited online presence
- High Fees
- Not a BBB-accredited business
One concerning aspect is Accuplan’s refusal to participate in the BBB’s programs and the lack of accredited reviews on Trustpilot. Additionally, all 20 reviews on Yelp are negative, with longstanding customers also expressing dissatisfaction with their experiences.
Furthermore, Accuplan lacks transparency regarding its products and company practices. Their blog posts have been found to contain intentional misinformation, aiming to perplex readers. This lack of transparency and questionable practices make them appear more unscrupulous compared to other alternative options.
The company’s refusal to cooperate with reputable watchdog organizations like BBB raises concerns about its dedication to maintaining a positive reputation with individual customers. Such reluctance has led some customers to seek legal counsel when facing issues with Accuplan.
We encourage you to explore more highly-rated investment alternatives, which may offer better transparency, customer support, and overall satisfaction for your financial goals.
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