Company Retirement Account

A Company Retirement Account is a brokerage-based custodial account used to hold and manage retirement plan assets—typically for 401(k), profit-sharing, or defined benefit plans. Unlike traditional retirement plans with limited fund menus, CRAs provide access to a broad range of investments, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and fixed income instruments.

Traditional 401(k) platforms typically offer a preset menu of mutual funds or model portfolios. A CRA allows for open-architecture investing—giving the business or plan fiduciary access to a full range of public markets and investment strategies. This structure is ideal for businesses or plan sponsors who want greater control and customization.

Any business that sponsors a qualified retirement plan—such as a 401(k), profit-sharing plan, or defined benefit plan—can use a Company Retirement Account. CRAs are especially well-suited for business owners, fiduciaries, or advisors who want to manage plan investments actively or incorporate strategies beyond mutual fund menus.

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No. A CRA is not a retirement plan itself—it is the custodial brokerage account where the plan assets are held and managed. It must be paired with a qualified plan document (e.g., a 401(k) or profit-sharing plan) to be compliant with IRS and Department of Labor rules.

CRAs provide access to a wide range of investments, including:

Individual stocks and ETFs

Mutual funds

Corporate and municipal bonds

U.S. Treasuries and money market funds

Professionally managed models or third-party strategies
This flexibility allows for active management, custom portfolios, or passive index strategies.

When you open a CRA at Global Advisers, we manage the assets on your behalf, just like in any other investment account. Our firm provides institutional-grade investment management and oversight for CRAs, tailored to your plan’s objectives and participant profile.

In most CRA structures, participant-level access is available through secure client portals. Depending on the plan setup, participants may have view-only access or limited control over individual investment choices. Plan sponsors maintain primary oversight and control.

Company Retirement Accounts generally have no setup or custodial fees. Investment management fees are typically asset-based and fully transparent. Depending on the investment strategy, there may be trading costs, fund expense ratios, or third-party management fees. Global Advisers provides clear documentation of all costs in advance.

Yes. When properly structured with a compliant plan document and administrator, a CRA fully satisfies ERISA and IRS requirements. Global Advisers partners with third-party administrators (TPAs) and recordkeepers to ensure the plan remains in good standing and meets all annual filing obligations.

The plan sponsor is responsible for selecting the plan structure, coordinating with the administrator, and ensuring the CRA is used in compliance with plan rules. Global Advisers assists with plan design, investment policy development, fiduciary oversight, and ongoing compliance support.

Yes. CRAs are often used in solo 401(k)s, owner-only defined benefit plans, and other closely held business structures where the owner wants direct control over plan assets. This structure allows for institutional-level investing without the restrictions of bundled retirement platforms.

We begin by understanding your existing plan—or helping you set one up—and determining whether a CRA structure aligns with your investment goals, plan needs, and fiduciary responsibilities. Once a qualified plan is in place, we’ll establish the custodial account and implement your investment strategy.