{
  "crd_number": 112923,
  "slug": "sterling-investment-management-llc-tucson-az-112923",
  "primary_business_name": "STERLING INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC",
  "legal_name": "STERLING INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC",
  "dbas": [],
  "city": "Tucson",
  "state": "AZ",
  "country": "United States",
  "cbsa_code": "46060",
  "metro": {
    "cbsa_code": "46060",
    "common_name": "Tucson",
    "msa_name": "Tucson, AZ",
    "path": "/advisors/az/tucson"
  },
  "registration_type": "sec",
  "registration_status": "Approved",
  "registration_date": "1995-10-16",
  "years_registered": 30,
  "period": "2026-10-01",
  "filing_date": "2026-03-18",
  "carried_forward": false,
  "raum_total": 409201752.0,
  "raum_discretionary": 409201752.0,
  "raum_non_discretionary": 0.0,
  "raum_band": "100m_500m",
  "raum_band_label": "$100 million to $500 million",
  "total_employees": 8,
  "advisory_employees": 4,
  "client_count_bucket": "fewer_than_5_in_some_types",
  "clients_by_type": {
    "charitable": {
      "raum": 26176710.0,
      "count": 7
    },
    "individuals": {
      "raum": 32517051.0,
      "count": 65
    },
    "state_municipal": {
      "raum": 4518831.0,
      "count": 1,
      "fewer_than_5": true
    },
    "high_net_worth_individuals": {
      "raum": 321821484.0,
      "count": 74
    },
    "corporations_other_businesses": {
      "raum": 24167676.0,
      "count": 4,
      "fewer_than_5": true
    }
  },
  "compensation_types": [
    "hourly",
    "percentage_of_aum"
  ],
  "advisory_activities": [
    "financial_planning",
    "periodicals_newsletters",
    "portfolio_management_businesses_institutional",
    "portfolio_management_individuals"
  ],
  "wrap_fee_participant": false,
  "disclosure_yes_count": 0,
  "states_registered": [
    "AZ",
    "CA",
    "CO",
    "OK"
  ],
  "websites": [
    "https://linkedin.com/company/sterling-investment-management",
    "https://sterlinginvestmentmanagement.com"
  ],
  "iapd_url": "https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/112923",
  "city_as_filed": "TUCSON",
  "url": "https://advisorcensus.com/firm/sterling-investment-management-llc-tucson-az-112923",
  "display_name": "Sterling Investment Management, LLC",
  "summary": "Sterling Investment Management, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm in Tucson, AZ, registered since 1995, reporting $100 million to $500 million in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated March 18, 2026.",
  "citation": "AdvisorCensus. Sterling Investment Management, LLC (CRD 112923): Form ADV filing data as of October 2026.",
  "registration_type_label": "SEC-registered investment adviser",
  "compensation_labels": [
    "A percentage of assets under your management",
    "Hourly charges"
  ],
  "advisory_activity_labels": [
    "Financial planning services",
    "Portfolio management for individuals and/or small businesses",
    "Portfolio management for businesses (other than small businesses) or institutional clients",
    "Publication of periodicals or newsletters"
  ],
  "quick_answers": [
    {
      "q": "How is Sterling Investment Management, LLC compensated?",
      "a": "On its Form ADV (Item 5.E, October 2026), Sterling Investment Management, LLC reports these compensation arrangements: a percentage of assets under its management; hourly charges."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much does Sterling Investment Management, LLC charge?",
      "a": "Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated March 18, 2026 states: Up to $5,000,000: 1% a year; $5,000,000 to $10,000,000: 0.95% a year; Above $10,000,000: see the brochure; Hourly rate: $500 an hour (other professional advisory services). Fees can differ by service and may be negotiable; the brochure is the complete statement."
    },
    {
      "q": "Where is Sterling Investment Management, LLC located?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Management, LLC's principal office is in Tucson, AZ, according to its Form ADV; the April 2026 filing also lists 1 other office (Schedule D, Section 1.F)."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is Sterling Investment Management, LLC registered with the SEC or a state?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Management, LLC is an SEC-registered investment advisory firm, registered since 1995. Status as filed: Approved. CRD 112923."
    },
    {
      "q": "How much does Sterling Investment Management, LLC manage?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Management, LLC reports $409,201,752 in regulatory assets under management in its Form ADV filing dated March 18, 2026 (100% discretionary)."
    },
    {
      "q": "How have Sterling Investment Management, LLC's assets and staff changed since 2021?",
      "a": "In the Form ADV data for Sterling Investment Management, LLC: Regulatory assets under management: $354,004,670 in the October 2021 data and $409,201,752 in the October 2026 data, up 16%. Total employees: 7 in October 2021 and 8 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 Management, LLC serve?",
      "a": "By number of clients on Form ADV Item 5.D: high net worth individuals (74); individuals (other than high net worth individuals) (65); charitable organizations (7)."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which custodians does Sterling Investment Management, LLC use?",
      "a": "Sterling Investment Management, LLC's most recent Form ADV filing (Schedule D, Section 5.K(3)) lists Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. as a custodian holding 10% or more of its separately managed account assets."
    },
    {
      "q": "Does Sterling Investment Management, 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/112923"
    },
    {
      "q": "Does Sterling Investment Management, LLC state an account minimum?",
      "a": "Its Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated March 18, 2026 says: \"Sterling requires a minimum investment portfolio(s) of $ 1,000,000 per client household but this minimum may be waived under certain situations.\""
    },
    {
      "q": "What changed in Sterling Investment Management, LLC's recent Form ADV filings?",
      "a": "In the April 2026 filing data: Regulatory assets under management went from $360,529,500 to $409,201,752 (+14%)."
    }
  ],
  "filing_history": [
    {
      "period": "2021-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 354004670.0,
      "total_employees": 7,
      "filing_date": "2021-03-18"
    },
    {
      "period": "2022-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 337723197.0,
      "total_employees": 7,
      "filing_date": "2022-03-31"
    },
    {
      "period": "2023-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 341521932.0,
      "total_employees": 8,
      "filing_date": "2023-03-22"
    },
    {
      "period": "2024-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 371202026.0,
      "total_employees": 8,
      "filing_date": "2024-03-26"
    },
    {
      "period": "2025-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 360529500.0,
      "total_employees": 8,
      "filing_date": "2025-03-27"
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-10-01",
      "regulatory_assets_under_management": 409201752.0,
      "total_employees": 8,
      "filing_date": "2026-03-18"
    }
  ],
  "recent_changes": [
    {
      "period": "2026-04-01",
      "period_label": "April 2026",
      "notes": [
        "Regulatory assets under management went from $360,529,500 to $409,201,752 (+14%)."
      ]
    },
    {
      "period": "2026-01-01",
      "period_label": "January 2026",
      "notes": [
        "No longer registered or notice-filed in TX."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "fees_from_brochure": {
    "source": "Form ADV Part 2A brochure dated March 18, 2026",
    "provided_by_the_firm": false,
    "tiers": [
      {
        "band": "Up to $5,000,000",
        "rate": "1%"
      },
      {
        "band": "$5,000,000 to $10,000,000",
        "rate": "0.95%"
      },
      {
        "band": "Above $10,000,000",
        "rate": null,
        "note": "Not stated in this schedule; see the brochure."
      }
    ],
    "flat_rate": null,
    "stated_range": null,
    "stated_maximum": null,
    "account_minimum": "$1,000,000",
    "account_minimum_may_be_waived": true,
    "minimum_annual_fee": "$10,000",
    "planning_fees": [
      "Hourly rate: $500 an hour (other professional advisory services)"
    ],
    "figures": [
      {
        "label": "Fee schedule",
        "statements": [
          "Up to $5,000,000: 1% a year",
          "$5,000,000 to $10,000,000: 0.95% a year",
          "Above $10,000,000: see the brochure"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "Effective fee schedule for investment management services based on client’s total assets under management applicable to all clients:",
          "Asset market values up to $ 5,000,000    1.00 %",
          "Market values of  $ 5,000,000 to $10,000,000  0.95 %",
          "Market values of  greater than $10,000,000         (Negotiated)"
        ]
      },
      {
        "label": "Account minimum",
        "statements": [
          "Account minimum: $1,000,000 (the brochure says it may be waived or negotiated)"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "Sterling requires a minimum investment portfolio(s) of $ 1,000,000 per client household but this minimum may be waived under certain situations."
        ]
      },
      {
        "label": "Minimum annual fee",
        "statements": [
          "Minimum annual fee: $10,000"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "Sterling generally requires an annual minimum fee of $10,000 for investment advisory services."
        ]
      },
      {
        "label": "Planning fee",
        "statements": [
          "Hourly rate: $500 an hour (other professional advisory services)"
        ],
        "quotes": [
          "For services that fall outside of Sterling’s normal advisory agreements, Sterling may charge an hourly rate fee for other professional advisory services. The hourly rate is $500 per hour"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "values": {
      "tiers": [
        {
          "min": 0.0,
          "max": 5000000.0,
          "rate_pct": 1.0
        },
        {
          "min": 5000000.0,
          "max": 10000000.0,
          "rate_pct": 0.95
        }
      ],
      "range_pct": null,
      "max_pct": null,
      "account_minimum": 1000000.0,
      "minimum_annual_fee": 10000.0,
      "planning": [
        {
          "kind": "hourly",
          "amount": 500.0,
          "min": null,
          "max": null,
          "period": "hour",
          "service": "other professional advisory services"
        }
      ]
    },
    "quotes": [
      "Effective fee schedule for investment management services based on client’s total assets under management applicable to all clients:",
      "Asset market values up to $ 5,000,000    1.00 %",
      "Market values of  $ 5,000,000 to $10,000,000  0.95 %",
      "Market values of  greater than $10,000,000         (Negotiated)",
      "Sterling requires a minimum investment portfolio(s) of $ 1,000,000 per client household but this minimum may be waived under certain situations.",
      "Sterling generally requires an annual minimum fee of $10,000 for investment advisory services.",
      "For services that fall outside of Sterling’s normal advisory agreements, Sterling may charge an hourly rate fee for other professional advisory services. The hourly rate is $500 per hour"
    ],
    "note": "As stated in the firm's brochure; fees can differ by service and may be negotiable."
  },
  "custodians": [
    {
      "name": "Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.",
      "name_as_filed": "CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC.",
      "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-management-llc-tucson-az-112923.md",
  "clients": [
    {
      "type": "individuals",
      "label": "Individuals (other than high net worth individuals)",
      "count": 65,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 32517051.0
    },
    {
      "type": "high_net_worth_individuals",
      "label": "High net worth individuals",
      "count": 74,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 321821484.0
    },
    {
      "type": "charitable",
      "label": "Charitable organizations",
      "count": 7,
      "fewer_than_5": false,
      "raum": 26176710.0
    },
    {
      "type": "state_municipal",
      "label": "State or municipal government entities (including government pension plans)",
      "count": 1,
      "fewer_than_5": true,
      "raum": 4518831.0
    },
    {
      "type": "corporations_other_businesses",
      "label": "Corporations or other businesses not listed above",
      "count": 4,
      "fewer_than_5": true,
      "raum": 24167676.0
    }
  ],
  "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/112923",
    "operator": "BH Monitor Services, LLC",
    "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
    "credit": "AdvisorCensus (advisorcensus.com), from SEC Form ADV data"
  }
}