Fiduciary Advisory
Astronomynoteq's fiduciary advisory service places conflict-free, ongoing guidance at the centre of your financial decision-making.
Our fee is paid by you, not by the providers whose products we assess — a distinction that changes every recommendation we make.
The majority of financial advice in Kenya is distributed by intermediaries who earn commissions from product providers. This arrangement does not make the advice dishonest, but it does create structural pressure toward certain recommendations over others. Astronomynoteq operates on a fee-only basis: our income comes exclusively from the advisory fees agreed with you at the outset of the mandate. We receive no commissions, no placement fees, and no referral payments from any insurance company, asset manager, or bank. This means every recommendation we make — whether to hold, restructure, add a layer of protection, or do nothing — is driven solely by what the analysis says is in your interest. We advise on the full balance sheet: liquid assets, illiquid investments, business interests, insurance, and succession planning.
Comprehensive oversight, delivered on a structured cadence.
A structured review of your full balance sheet every quarter — assessing asset allocation drift, liquidity runway, risk concentration, and alignment with your stated objectives. Delivered as a written report with a 30-minute debrief.
Before you commit capital to any significant transaction — a property acquisition, a private equity placement, a new insurance product — we conduct an independent review of the terms, risks, and fit with your overall protection framework.
We coordinate with your legal and tax advisors to ensure your capital structures, insurance wrappers, and investment mandates are aligned with your succession intentions — identifying gaps before they become disputes.
Advisory mandates include access to a dedicated advisor for unscheduled calls on material decisions — not a call centre, but a named professional who knows your balance sheet and can give a considered response within one business day.
Common questions from prospective clients considering an ongoing mandate.
The annual retainer is agreed at the outset and is based on the scope of the mandate — typically the complexity and number of asset categories covered, not a percentage of assets under management. This means our fee does not grow simply because your portfolio grows; it reflects the actual work we do.
No. We do not hold or manage client assets. We provide independent analysis and recommendations; execution — whether through a bank, broker, or asset manager — remains with you and your chosen service providers. This separation is deliberate and protects your interests.
The fiduciary advisory mandate is most effective for individuals and families with a net investable asset base of KSh 10 million or above, where the complexity of the balance sheet justifies structured ongoing oversight. Clients with smaller portfolios may benefit more from our one-time structural diagnostic service.
Following an initial consultation and agreement on scope, a new mandate typically commences within three to four weeks. The first quarter is primarily diagnostic — we spend it mapping your existing balance sheet and establishing baseline risk parameters before making any recommendations.
“For years I assumed having a bank relationship manager was equivalent to having independent advice. The difference became clear in the first quarter of my Astronomynoteq mandate, when they recommended against a structured note my bank had been pushing for eighteen months. The note matured below par six months later.”
Anne Langat, Retired Professional, Eldoret
A 45-minute conversation with a senior advisor to determine whether an ongoing fiduciary mandate fits your situation.
Request a Mandate Discussion