When I retired I took a lump sum instead of a pension. I studied for many months on how I was going to invest my money. Researched a method called "Modern Portfolio Theory" MPT. I went on to research the stocks or mutual funds to follow the theory. Most mutual funds have a fee buried in the fund and the funds are not pure. ie a small cap fund will not have 100% small cap stocks. I discovered Dimensional Funds DF were the purest funds for MPT based portfolio with very low expenses. Then I discovered I could not buy the funds! You have to go thru a DF fund manager. FYI many large institutional firms have their retirement funds in DFA. Searching more I found Evanson Asset Management EAM that currently has 5 billion in client assets. My portfolio is in a Schwab accounts that's managed by EAM. All trades and account balancing and RMDs are managed by EAM. I love Schwab, free checking and all atm withdrawals are free. Been with EAM for 25 years. Best decision I ever made. I do not worry about investment stuff.
I met with Evanson at my home 25 years ago. That's the only personal meeting I have had with EAM in 25 years. All discussions have been via phone or email with his staff. My point is, you do not need face time or an office to work with an asset manager firm.
https://www.evansonasset.com/
Dimensional Fund Advisors | Dimensional
Lots of info on EAM website.
Good luck
Bob