# Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC

> 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.

- CRD: 282624
- Filed as: STERLING INVESTMENT COUNSEL, LLC
- Registration: SEC-registered investment adviser (status as filed: Approved)
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Filing period: October 2026
- Form ADV filing dated: August 26, 2026
- SEC record (IAPD): https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/282624
- AdvisorCensus page: https://advisorcensus.com/firm/sterling-investment-counsel-llc-buffalo-ny-282624

## Quick answers

**How is Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC compensated?**
On its Form ADV (Item 5.E, October 2026), Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC reports these compensation arrangements: a percentage of assets under its management.

**How much does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC charge?**
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.

**Where is Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC located?**
Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's principal office is in Buffalo, NY, according to its Form ADV.

**Is Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC registered with the SEC or a state?**
Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, registered since 2016. Status as filed: Approved. CRD 282624.

**How much does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC manage?**
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).

**How have Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's assets and staff changed since 2021?**
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.

**What types of clients does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC serve?**
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).

**Which custodians does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC use?**
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.

**Does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC report any disciplinary disclosures?**
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

**Does Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC state an account minimum?**
Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated May 14, 2026 says: "There is no minimum account size requirement for any of SIC’s services."

**What changed in Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC's recent Form ADV filings?**
In the September 2026 filing data: Registered or notice-filed in CO.

## From the Form ADV filing

### Compensation (Item 5.E)
- A percentage of assets under your management

### Fees and minimums (Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated May 14, 2026)

- Up to $500,000: 1.5% a year
- Above $500,001: 1.25% a year

> Total Assets Under Management Annual Fee $0 - $500,000 1.50% $500,001 – And Up 1.25%

- Account minimum: None

> There is no minimum account size requirement for any of SIC’s services.

- Minimum annual fee: $1,500

> Relationships are subject to a minimum annual fee of $1,500.

As stated in the firm's brochure. Fees can differ by service and may be negotiable.

### Custodians (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3))
- Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC

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.

### Regulatory assets under management (Item 5.F)
- Total: $1,034,282,441
- Discretionary: $1,027,990,391
- Non-discretionary: $6,292,050

### Clients (Item 5.D)

| Client type | Clients | Assets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Individuals (other than high net worth individuals) | 546 | $162,135,253 |
| High net worth individuals | 307 | $814,833,490 |
| Banking or thrift institutions | 0 | $0 |
| Investment companies | 0 | $0 |
| Business development companies | 0 | $0 |
| Pooled investment vehicles (other than investment companies and business development companies) | 0 | $0 |
| Pension and profit sharing plans (but not the plan participants or government pension plans) | 25 | $36,403,522 |
| Charitable organizations | 3 | $5,710,792 |
| State or municipal government entities (including government pension plans) | 0 | $0 |
| Other investment advisers | 0 | $0 |
| Insurance companies | 0 | $0 |
| Sovereign wealth funds and foreign official institutions | 0 | $0 |
| Corporations or other businesses not listed above | 7 | $15,199,384 |
| Other | 0 | $0 |

### Advisory services (Item 5.G)
- Financial planning services
- Portfolio management for individuals and/or small businesses

### Firm details
- Registered since: 2016 (10 years)
- Employees: 9 total, 8 performing advisory functions
- Wrap fee program participation: No
- States registered or notice-filed: CA, CO, CT, FL, MA, MD, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, TX, VA
- Disclosures (Item 11): Reports no disclosure items on Form ADV Item 11.

### Websites listed on Form ADV (Item 1.I)
- [sterinv.com](https://sterinv.com)
- LinkedIn @STERLING-INVESTMENT-COUNSEL-LLC

## Assets and staff over time

| Data period | Regulatory assets under management | Employees | Filing dated |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| October 2021 | $503,168,651 | 9 | May 4, 2021 |
| October 2022 | $606,146,994 | 9 | March 29, 2022 |
| October 2023 | $543,606,529 | 9 | April 17, 2023 |
| October 2024 | $656,830,294 | 9 | September 24, 2024 |
| October 2025 | $819,283,156 | 10 | April 11, 2025 |
| October 2026 | $1,034,282,441 | 9 | August 26, 2026 |

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.

## Changes in the filing (last 12 months)

### September 2026
- Registered or notice-filed in CO.

### June 2026
- Updated its list of owners and control persons (Schedule A).

### April 2026
- 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).

### January 2026
- Registered or notice-filed in NJ.
- No longer registered or notice-filed in AZ, IL.

## Source

Form ADV as filed, October 2026. Values appear as filed. Cite as: AdvisorCensus. Sterling Investment Counsel, LLC (CRD 282624): Form ADV filing data as of October 2026.