One of the greatest benefits of having accredited investor status is the capability it gives you to participate in a wider swath of investment opportunities and private investment deals, such as hedge funds, real estate private equity funds, venture capital, and more. Investor accreditation gives one exclusive access to many of these private deals. While the opportunities are greater for accredited investors, there are both benefits and disadvantages to consider with having such an investor status.
Pros of Investor Accreditation
- More Investment Opportunities
With accredited investor status, you can participate in a larger number of investment opportunities than those who lack the wealth or other credentials to qualify for this status. Access to these opportunities gives you more options to increase your wealth. - Increased Diversification
Experienced investors understand the advantages of maintaining a diversified investment portfolio. As an accredited investor, you have many more options regarding the types of investments in which you may participate. This enables you to diversify your investment portfolio and reduce your overall risk. - High Return on Investment (ROI)
One example of high-return-on-investment opportunities available to accredited investors are hedge funds, which can provide considerable returns even though they also require high minimum investment amounts and include higher financial risk. - Access to Small Businesses
Investor accreditation gives investors access to small businesses seeking capital from private investors. An accredited investor can often make investments in these non-publicly traded companies in the early stages, which often involves a period of significant company growth. You can support these small businesses while profiting from their success.
Cons of Investor Accreditation
- Greater Risk
Since these private companies are not required to register their securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), some of them may not reveal certain information that enables investors to make proper or better investment decisions. This lack of federal oversight increases the risk to the accredited investor associated with the large investment amounts involved. - Higher Minimum Investments Required
Usually, investment amounts required for unregistered securities are higher than those required for registered securities. Often these investment amounts can range anywhere from the tens of thousands of dollars to over $1 million. - Costly Performance Fees
Managers of hedge funds, for instance, tend to charge higher performance fees than other investment opportunities. The higher risk associated with the securities contributes to the higher fees, which can range from 15-20 percent. - Longer Capital Lock-up Period
Investments made in unregistered securities reduce liquidity. Accredited investors may not sell the shares of their investments if they need funds, at least not until the lockup period has ended. This period of lock-up for hedge funds may extend anywhere from 1 to 5 years.
Investor accreditation requires substantial wealth or the fulfillment of certain other qualifications. Individuals who have accredited investor status are assumed to have the financial knowledge and capability to withstand any potential losses from these higher-risk investments.
