{
  "crd_number": 282624,
  "slug": "sterling-investment-counsel-llc-buffalo-ny-282624",
  "primary_business_name": "STERLING INVESTMENT COUNSEL, LLC",
  "legal_name": "STERLING INVESTMENT COUNSEL, LLC",
  "dbas": [],
  "city": "Buffalo",
  "state": "NY",
  "country": "United States",
  "cbsa_code": "15380",
  "metro": {
    "cbsa_code": "15380",
    "common_name": "Buffalo",
    "msa_name": "Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY",
    "path": "/advisors/ny/buffalo"
  },
  "registration_type": "sec",
  "registration_status": "Approved",
  "registration_date": "2016-04-06",
  "years_registered": 10,
  "period": "2026-10-01",
  "filing_date": "2026-08-26",
  "carried_forward": false,
  "raum_total": 1034282441.0,
  "raum_discretionary": 1027990391.0,
  "raum_non_discretionary": 6292050.0,
  "raum_band": "1b_5b",
  "raum_band_label": "$1 billion to $5 billion",
  "total_employees": 9,
  "advisory_employees": 8,
  "client_count_bucket": "fewer_than_5_in_some_types",
  "clients_by_type": {
    "other": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "charitable": {
      "raum": 5710792.0,
      "count": 3,
      "fewer_than_5": true
    },
    "individuals": {
      "raum": 162135253.0,
      "count": 546
    },
    "banking_thrift": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "state_municipal": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "insurance_companies": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "investment_companies": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "pension_profit_sharing": {
      "raum": 36403522.0,
      "count": 25
    },
    "other_investment_advisers": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "high_net_worth_individuals": {
      "raum": 814833490.0,
      "count": 307
    },
    "pooled_investment_vehicles": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "corporations_other_businesses": {
      "raum": 15199384.0,
      "count": 7
    },
    "business_development_companies": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    },
    "sovereign_wealth_foreign_official": {
      "raum": 0.0,
      "count": 0
    }
  },
  "compensation_types": [
    "percentage_of_aum"
  ],
  "advisory_activities": [
    "financial_planning",
    "portfolio_management_individuals"
  ],
  "wrap_fee_participant": false,
  "disclosure_yes_count": 0,
  "states_registered": [
    "CA",
    "CO",
    "CT",
    "FL",
    "MA",
    "MD",
    "NC",
    "NH",
    "NJ",
    "NY",
    "OH",
    "PA",
    "TN",
    "TX",
    "VA"
  ],
  "websites": [
    "https://linkedin.com/COMPANY/STERLING-INVESTMENT-COUNSEL-LLC",
    "https://sterinv.com"
  ],
  "iapd_url": "https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/282624",
  "city_as_filed": "BUFFALO",
  "url": "https://advisorcensus.com/firm/sterling-investment-counsel-llc-buffalo-ny-282624",
  "display_name": "Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC",
  "summary": "Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm in Buffalo, NY, registered since 2016, reporting $1 billion to $5 billion in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated August 26, 2026.",
  "citation": "AdvisorCensus. Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC (CRD 282624): Form ADV filing data as of October 2026.",
  "registration_type_label": "SEC-registered investment adviser",
  "compensation_labels": [
    "A percentage of assets under your management"
  ],
  "advisory_activity_labels": [
    "Financial planning services",
    "Portfolio management for individuals and/or small businesses"
  ],
  "quick_answers": [
    {
      "q": "How is Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC compensated?",
      "a": "On its Form ADV (Item 5.E, October 2026), Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC reports these compensation arrangements: a percentage of assets under its management."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC charge?",
      "a": "Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated May 14, 2026 states: Up to $500,000: 1.5% a year; Above $500,001: 1.25% a year. Fees can differ by service and may be negotiable; the brochure is the complete statement."
    },
    {
      "q": "Where is Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC located?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's principal office is in Buffalo, NY, according to its Form ADV."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC registered with the SEC or a state?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, registered since 2016. Status as filed: Approved. CRD 282624."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC manage?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC reports $1,034,282,441 in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated August 26, 2026 (99% discretionary)."
    },
    {
      "q": "How have Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's assets and staff changed since 2021?",
      "a": "In the Form ADV data for Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC: Regulatory assets under management: $503,168,651 in the October 2021 data and $1,034,282,441 in the October 2026 data, up 106%. Total employees: 9 in October 2021 and 9 in October 2026. Assets under management move with markets as well as with clients coming and going."
    },
    {
      "q": "What types of clients does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC serve?",
      "a": "By number of clients on Form ADV Item 5.D: individuals (other than high net worth individuals) (546); high net worth individuals (307); pension and profit sharing plans (but not the plan participants or government pension plans) (25)."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which custodians does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC use?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's most recent Form ADV filing (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)) lists Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC as a custodian holding 10% or more of its separately managed account assets."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC report any disciplinary disclosures?",
      "a": "Reports no disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11. The detail of any item is on the firm's SEC record: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/282624"
    },
    {
      "q": "Does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC state an account minimum?",
      "a": "Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated May 14, 2026 says: \"There is no minimum account size requirement for any of SIC’s services.\""
    },
    {
      "q": "What changed in Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's recent Form ADV filings?",
      "a": "In the September 2026 filing data: Registered or notice-filed in CO."
    }
  ],
  "filing_history": [
    {
      "period": "2021-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 503168651.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2021-05-04"
    },
    {
      "period": "2022-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 606146994.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2022-03-29"
    },
    {
      "period": "2023-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 543606529.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2023-04-17"
    },
    {
      "period": "2024-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 656830294.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2024-09-24"
    },
    {
      "period": "2025-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 819283156.0,
      "total_employees": 10,
      "filing_date": "2025-04-11"
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 1034282441.0,
      "total_employees": 9,
      "filing_date": "2026-08-26"
    }
  ],
  "recent_changes": [
    {
      "period": "2026-09-01",
      "period_label": "September 2026",
      "notes": [
        "Registered or notice-filed in CO."
      ]
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-06-01",
      "period_label": "June 2026",
      "notes": [
        "Updated its list of owners and control persons (Schedule A)."
      ]
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-04-01",
      "period_label": "April 2026",
      "notes": [
        "Regulatory assets under management went from $819,283,156 to $1,034,282,441 (+26%).",
        "Employees performing advisory functions went from 9 to 8.",
        "Updated its list of owners and control persons (Schedule A)."
      ]
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-01-01",
      "period_label": "January 2026",
      "notes": [
        "Registered or notice-filed in NJ.",
        "No longer registered or notice-filed in AZ, IL."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "fees_from_brochure": {
    "source": "Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated May 14, 2026",
    "provided_by_the_firm": false,
    "tiers": [
      {
        "band": "Up to $500,000",
        "rate": "1.5%"
      },
      {
        "band": "Above $500,001",
        "rate": "1.25%"
      }
    ],
    "flat_rate": null,
    "stated_range": null,
    "stated_maximum": null,
    "account_minimum": "None",
    "account_minimum_may_be_waived": false,
    "minimum_annual_fee": "$1,500",
    "planning_fees": [],
    "figures": [
      {
        "label": "Fee schedule",
        "statements": [
          "Up to $500,000: 1.5% a year",
          "Above $500,001: 1.25% a year"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "Total Assets Under Management Annual Fee $0 - $500,000 1.50% $500,001 – And Up 1.25%"
        ]
      },
      {
        "label": "Account minimum",
        "statements": [
          "Account minimum: None"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "There is no minimum account size requirement for any of SIC’s services."
        ]
      },
      {
        "label": "Minimum annual fee",
        "statements": [
          "Minimum annual fee: $1,500"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "Relationships are subject to a minimum annual fee of $1,500."
        ]
      }
    ],
    "values": {
      "tiers": [
        {
          "min": 0.0,
          "max": 500000.0,
          "rate_pct": 1.5
        },
        {
          "min": 500001.0,
          "max": null,
          "rate_pct": 1.25
        }
      ],
      "range_pct": null,
      "max_pct": null,
      "account_minimum": 0.0,
      "minimum_annual_fee": 1500.0,
      "planning": []
    },
    "quotes": [
      "Total Assets Under Management Annual Fee $0 - $500,000 1.50% $500,001 – And Up 1.25%",
      "There is no minimum account size requirement for any of SIC’s services.",
      "Relationships are subject to a minimum annual fee of $1,500."
    ],
    "note": "As stated in the firm's brochure; fees can differ by service and may be negotiable."
  },
  "custodians": [
    {
      "name": "Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC",
      "name_as_filed": "FIDELITY BROKERAGE SERVICES LLC",
      "affiliated": false
    }
  ],
  "custodians_note": "Custodians holding 10% or more of the firm's separately managed account assets, as filed on Form ADV (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)). A custodian holds client assets; it does not endorse or supervise the firm. AdvisorCensus has no relationship with any custodian.",
  "markdown_url": "https://advisorcensus.com/firm/sterling-investment-counsel-llc-buffalo-ny-282624.md",
  "clients": [
    {
      "type": "individuals",
      "label": "Individuals (other than high net worth individuals)",
      "count": 546,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 162135253.0
    },
    {
      "type": "high_net_worth_individuals",
      "label": "High net worth individuals",
      "count": 307,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 814833490.0
    },
    {
      "type": "banking_thrift",
      "label": "Banking or thrift institutions",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "investment_companies",
      "label": "Investment companies",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "business_development_companies",
      "label": "Business development companies",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "pooled_investment_vehicles",
      "label": "Pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies and business development companies)",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "pension_profit_sharing",
      "label": "Pension and profit sharing plans (but not the plan participants or government pension plans)",
      "count": 25,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 36403522.0
    },
    {
      "type": "charitable",
      "label": "Charitable organizations",
      "count": 3,
      "fewer_than_5": true,
      "raum": 5710792.0
    },
    {
      "type": "state_municipal",
      "label": "State or municipal government entities (including government pension plans)",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "other_investment_advisers",
      "label": "Other investment advisers",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "insurance_companies",
      "label": "Insurance companies",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "sovereign_wealth_foreign_official",
      "label": "Sovereign wealth funds and foreign official institutions",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    },
    {
      "type": "corporations_other_businesses",
      "label": "Corporations or other businesses not listed above",
      "count": 7,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 15199384.0
    },
    {
      "type": "other",
      "label": "Other",
      "count": 0,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 0.0
    }
  ],
  "disclosure_line": "Reports no disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11.",
  "disclosure_items": [],
  "indexable": true,
  "suppressed": false,
  "claimed": false,
  "enhanced": false,
  "provided_by_the_firm": null,
  "source": {
    "name": "Form ADV",
    "as_of": "2026-10-01",
    "iapd_url": "https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/282624",
    "operator": "BH Monitor Services, LLC",
    "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "credit": "AdvisorCensus (advisorcensus.com), from SEC Form ADV data"
  }
}