Burns J W & Co provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, estate planning, insurance, retirement plan services, and tax planning. Financial planning was provided to 26–50 clients last fiscal year.
Burns J W & Co reports 631 clients. They include 305 individual clients, 267 high-net-worth individuals and 30 charitable organizations. Of its assets, 96.6% ($992M across 1,316 accounts) are managed with discretion; $35M across 7 accounts are not. A wrap fee program the firm both sponsors and manages holds $377K.
| Client type | Clients | Assets |
|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 48% | 9% |
| High-net-worth individuals | 42% | 76% |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 2% | 3% |
| Charitable organizations | 5% | 9% |
| Corporations and other businesses | 3% | 2% |
Client breakdown and activity details
| Client type | Clients | Regulatory AUM | AUM share | Avg. per client |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals (other than HNW) | 305 | $94.9M | 9.2% | $311K |
| High-net-worth individuals | 267 | $785M | 76.4% | $2.94M |
| Pension and profit-sharing plans | 13 | $29.4M | 2.9% | $2.26M |
| Charitable organizations | 30 | $95.9M | 9.3% | $3.2M |
| Corporations and other businesses | 16 | $22M | 2.1% | $1.37M |
| Total | 631 | $1.03B | 100% | $1.63M |
- Clients
- 305
- Regulatory AUM
- $94.9M
- AUM share
- 9.2%
- Avg. per client
- $311K
- Clients
- 267
- Regulatory AUM
- $785M
- AUM share
- 76.4%
- Avg. per client
- $2.94M
- Clients
- 13
- Regulatory AUM
- $29.4M
- AUM share
- 2.9%
- Avg. per client
- $2.26M
- Clients
- 30
- Regulatory AUM
- $95.9M
- AUM share
- 9.3%
- Avg. per client
- $3.2M
- Clients
- 16
- Regulatory AUM
- $22M
- AUM share
- 2.1%
- Avg. per client
- $1.37M
Total
- Clients
- 631
- Regulatory AUM
- $1.03B
- AUM share
- 100%
- Avg. per client
- $1.63M
- Clients outside the U.S.
- 0%
- Clients advised without assets under management last fiscal year
- 0
- Private funds advised
- 0
- Financial planning clients last fiscal year
- 26–50
Burns J W & Co charges up to 1.00% for its Portfolio Management Services. The brochure does not state whether the rate is annual. The fee is billed in advance, is negotiable and requires an account of at least $250,000.
Fee details and sources
James Burns owns 75% or more of Burns J W & Co. The leadership team of Burns J W & Co includes President James Burns. It has 8 employees, 5 of them in advisory roles.
Leadership
- James BurnsOwner/President/CEO/Director/Chief Compliance Officer
- Peter BunitskyTreasurer/Director
- Andrew DerrenbackerCorporate Secretary
Investment adviser representatives
6 representatives listed in the SEC register as of 9 October 2026.
- Peter N Bunitsky JR.
- James C Burns
- Andrew James Derrenbacker
- Edward A. Grassi
- Thaddeus Malley
- John Charles Zimmerman
Staff
- 8 employees
- 5 in advisory functions
- 5 state-registered reps
- Owns 75% or more of Burns J W & Co Inc
James Burns
Control person · since December 2012
- Owns 10% to 25% of Burns J W & Co Inc
Andrew Derrenbacker
Control person · since October 2023
Burns J W & Co’s regulatory assets grew from $734M (April 2021) to $1.03B (April 2026); clients fell from 1,182 to 631 and employees from 10 to 8.
Figures from each annual filing
| Filed | Regulatory AUM | Clients | Employees | Offices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | $1.03B | 631 | 8 | 3 |
| February 2025 | $904M | 611 | 8 | 3 |
| March 2024 | $802M | 585 | 8 | 3 |
| February 2023 | $701M | 1,244 | 9 | 2 |
| February 2022 | $830M | 1,221 | 9 | 1 |
| April 2021 | $734M | 1,182 | 10 | 1 |
Besides its headquarters, Burns J W & Co has 2 offices (2 private residences, listed without an address), with 1 listed address in New York.
New York · 1 listed address
- 5789 Widewaters Parkway, DewittHQ
Contact and registration details
- Legal name
- Burns J W & Co Inc
- Headquarters
- 5789 Widewaters Parkway, Dewitt, NY 13214
- Website
- jwburns.com
- Phone
- 315-449-1341
- SEC file
- 801-13068
- Founded
- 1974
- Structure
- New York corporation
- Fiscal year end
- December
Burns J W & Co uses Charles Schwab ($823M) as custodian for its separately managed accounts. Burns J W & Co does not have custody of client assets.
- Charles SchwabCharles Schwab & Co., Inc. · Westlake, TX · $823M100%
At year end, Burns J W & Co’s separately managed accounts were mostly in stocks (66%) and funds (27%).
What the accounts hold
- Stocks66%
- Funds27%
- Bonds2%
- Cash5%
How many clients does Burns J W & Co have?
Burns J W & Co has 631 clients and manages $1.03 billion for them, as of April 2026. They include 305 individual clients, 267 high-net-worth individuals and 30 charitable organizations.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.D and 5.F, filed 20 April 2026
What services does Burns J W & Co offer?
Burns J W & Co provides financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, portfolio management for institutions, estate planning, insurance, retirement plan services, and tax planning.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.G, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file; Part 2A brochure, Item 4
How much does Burns J W & Co charge?
Burns J W & Co charges up to 1.00% for its Portfolio Management Services. The brochure does not state whether the rate is annual. The fee is billed in advance, is negotiable and requires an account of at least $250,000.
Source: PART 2A, filed 23 February 2026
Which custodians does Burns J W & Co use?
Burns J W & Co’s separately managed account assets are held at Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Westlake, TX), with $823M. Only custodians holding at least a tenth of those assets are named.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedule D, Section 5.K.(3), filed 20 April 2026
How many financial advisors does Burns J W & Co have?
Burns J W & Co has 5 investment adviser representatives registered with state securities authorities, out of 8 employees, and 5 perform investment advisory functions. None are registered representatives of a broker-dealer or licensed insurance agents.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.A and 5.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
What does Burns J W & Co invest in?
At the end of its last fiscal year, Burns J W & Co’s separately managed accounts held 66% exchange-traded equities, 27% registered funds (mutual funds, ETFs, BDCs), 5% cash and equivalents and 2% U.S. government and agency bonds.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Items 5.K.(1) and 7.B, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
Does Burns J W & Co have a minimum investment?
Yes, Burns J W & Co’s minimum account size for its Portfolio Management Services is $250K.
Source: PART 2A, filed 23 February 2026
Who owns Burns J W & Co?
Burns J W & Co’s direct owners are James Burns (75% or more) and Andrew Derrenbacker (10% to 25%).
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Schedules A and B, filed 20 April 2026
How does Burns J W & Co get paid?
Burns J W & Co is paid through a percentage of assets under management. Its Form ADV lists no commissions or performance-based fees among how it is paid.
Source: Form ADV Part 1A, Item 5.E, from the SEC's 2 October 2026 data file
How do I contact Burns J W & Co?
Burns J W & Co’s main office is at 5789 Widewaters Parkway, Dewitt, NY 13214. Its phone number is 315-449-1341. Its website is jwburns.com.