Understanding Your Investment Costs
More transparency. More clarity. No surprises.
Starting in 2027, investors will receive more detailed annual reporting that provides a clearer view of the costs associated with their investment accounts and investment funds.
This change is commonly referred to as “CRM3” or “Total Cost Reporting”. Its purpose is to make existing investment costs easier to see and understand.
What CRM3 Means for You.
When reporting changes, it is natural to wonder what the change means for you. Here are the most important points.
Am I paying more?
No. The reporting change itself does not create new fees.
Why am I receiving this?
To provide a clearer and more complete view of investment costs.
What will I see?
More detail about certain fund expenses, shown in a format intended to be easier to understand.
Most importantly:
These are not new fees. CRM3 changes how certain costs are shown. It does not, by itself, increase what you pay.
Cost matters. Value matters too.
Investment costs are important and deserve to be understood. They are also only one part of evaluating an investment strategy and an advisory relationship.
The lowest-cost option is not automatically the option that best fits every investor. Appropriate advice also considers your goals, risk tolerance, tax circumstances, time horizon, income needs, family priorities, and the role each investment plays within your overall financial plan.
CRM3 creates an opportunity to look at both sides of the conversation: what investing costs and what advice, planning, and ongoing support are helping you accomplish.
What is changing?
Some investment fund costs have historically been reflected within the fund and described in fund documents. Under CRM3, additional cost information will also appear more clearly on annual reporting.
The objective is to give investors a more complete picture of the costs associated with owning investment funds.
A simple way to think about it, you are seeing more details on the receipt,not automatically having a higher bill.
How Compass Wealth Partners approaches advice
At Compass Wealth Partners, we welcome greater transparency. Informed clients are better positioned to make thoughtful financial decisions and to understand how each part of their financial life works together.
Our role extends beyond investment management. We help clients make informed decisions across a broad range of financial planning needs and, where appropriate, coordinate with accountants, lawyers, and other professionals.
Retirement and income planning
Tax-aware planning strategies
Estate and legacy planning
Insurance and risk-management reviews
Business and succession considerations
Planning for major family and life transitions
Ongoing financial guidance as circumstances change
A Family CFO relationship
We often describe our approach as acting like a Family CFO: helping clients connect the many financial decisions that affect their families, businesses, and long-term plans.
The value of an advisor relationship is not measured by a single line on a statement. It is reflected in the planning, judgement, coordination, and ongoing support that help clients make informed decisions over time.
While investment costs may be similar across different advisor practices, the depth of advice, planning, and service can vary. We believe the right comparison considers both cost and the value received in return.
When you receive your updated report
No immediate action is required simply because the reporting format has changed.
If you would like help understanding your report, we are available to discuss what the costs represent, how they fit within your broader plan, and whether any action is appropriate for your circumstances.
Have questions? Contact us at Compass Wealth Partners. We are happy to help you understand both the costs shown on your report and how they fit within your overall financial plan.
info@compasswealthpartners.ca
Have questions?
info@compasswealthpartners.ca
Are these new fees?
No. CRM3 is intended to provide greater visibility into certain costs that already exist. The reporting change itself does not create new fees.
Do I need to do anything?
No immediate action is required solely because the reporting format has changed. Review your report when it arrives and contact us if you would like help understanding it.
Why is this information being provided?
The goal is to help investors better understand the costs associated with their investments through clearer and more complete reporting.
Can Compass Wealth Partners review the report with me?
Yes. If you have questions, contact us and we will help explain what the information means in the context of your investments and financial plan.
Does a lower cost always mean a better investment?
Not necessarily. Cost is important, but so are many other factors including investment quality, suitability, risk, diversification, tax considerations, expected outcomes, and fit with your overall plan. Compass Wealth Partners has access to a large variety of investment products, and we have always considered these dimensions before making a recommendation.
Retiring with confidence.
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Mutual funds, approved exempt market products and/or exchange traded funds are offered through Investia Financial Services Inc.
The particulars contained herein were obtained from sources which we believe reliable but are not guaranteed by us and may be incomplete. The opinions expressed have not been approved by and are not those of Investia Financial Services Inc. This website is not deemed to be used as a solicitation in a jurisdiction where this Investia representative is not registered.