I invested with Carter & Carter for about 1 1/2 years and then transferred all assets into a self-managed account. While I made a modest amount of money with them, I came to know them as dishonest, calculating and interested in only one thing: Finding ways in which they could maximize their fees and profits without regard to what was best for their clients. At the time. I was in my early forties. Ken and Donna incessantly and relentlessly pushed their variable annuities - a collection of complicated investments (mainly from American Skandia) with a built-in insurance policy (that no one needs) coupled with very hidden high fees. The investments of these annuities were good, in and of themselves, but the structure of these investments were built solely to make clients think they were getting a great deal when in reality, the selling agent was skimming a lot of money in commissions and fees. When they were confronted with why they were selling a 42 year-old a fixed income annuity designed for older people, they said there was a misunderstanding. Luckily, I 1035ed (IRS Form 1035) my annuities back to cash without any loss or exit fees and as mentioned, transferred all assets from Carter & Carter. They never challenged my exit because they knew I saw right through them. I have had self-managed accounts ever since. It works for me and I love investing. But if you really want an investment advisor (and there are many good ones out there), look at the character of the individual. That is more important than anything. read more