Independent Performance Verification

Your track record,
independently
verified.

ReturnSeal verifies financial advisor performance directly from custodian data — not from self-reported figures. The result: a publicly accessible, tamper-evident report backed by a unique QR code that anyone can scan.

Request verification See sample report →

GIPS-Aligned Methodology Built for the Regulated Environment Custodian-Sourced QR Verified

Submit your custodian data

Upload official statements exported from your custodian — PDFs, CSVs, or structured data files. We specify exact format requirements per custodian to ensure data integrity.

Independent calculation

ReturnSeal calculates Time-Weighted Returns using Modified Dietz methodology on raw custodian data — never on advisor-supplied figures. All calculations are fully auditable.

Verified report + QR code

Your verified performance report is published at a permanent URL. A unique QR code links directly to it — scannable by prospects, clients, or regulators at any time.

Methodology

How we calculate performance

ReturnSeal applies the Modified Dietz Time-Weighted Return method — the standard underpinning GIPS — calculated directly from official custodian data.

Time-Weighted Return (TWR)

TWR eliminates the distorting effect of client-driven cash flows — deposits and withdrawals — from the performance calculation. This isolates the advisor's actual investment decision-making, making performance comparable across different accounts regardless of their cash flow history.

Modified Dietz

Modified Dietz approximates the daily-weighted TWR using beginning and ending market values plus a weighted adjustment for external cash flows. It is the industry-standard method for monthly sub-period calculations and is fully consistent with GIPS requirements for portfolios without daily valuations.

Geometric chain-linking

Monthly sub-period returns are geometrically linked to produce the cumulative TWR. This correctly captures compounding over time and avoids the distortions of simple arithmetic averaging — a requirement under GIPS and international performance standards.

Net of fees — primary figure

Net-of-fees return is the primary figure on every ReturnSeal report. Where custodian data permits, gross returns are also shown alongside net with equal prominence — never as a footnote or in smaller type. This presentation follows the SEC Marketing Rule requirement that net performance appear with at least equal prominence to any gross figure, for the same period and methodology.

Modified Dietz Formula (per sub-period)

R = (EMV − BMV − CF) ÷ (BMV + 0.5 × CF)

EMV = Ending Market Value · BMV = Beginning Market Value · CF = Net External Cash Flows
Sub-periods geometrically chain-linked: TWR = [(1+R&sub1;) × (1+R&sub2;) × … × (1+Rₙ)] − 1

Data Submission

How to submit your portfolio data

ReturnSeal accepts official custodian documentation in two modalities. Both produce identical verification outcomes.

Option 1 · Available now

Document Upload

Download your monthly statements directly from your custodian's portal — Schwab, IBKR, Pershing, Fidelity, TD Ameritrade, or any other major custodian
ReturnSeal provides exact format specifications per custodian: which report type to export, date ranges, and required data fields
Accepted formats: PDF account statements, CSV transaction histories, and XML activity reports (e.g. IBKR Flex Query)
Minimum requirement: 12 consecutive monthly statements with beginning and ending market values, all external cash flows, and fee detail
Documents are verified against known custodian formatting standards before data extraction — ensuring authenticity and completeness

All submitted documents are processed confidentially with encryption. ReturnSeal does not share raw client data with any third party.

Option 2

API Direct Connection

Authorize ReturnSeal to connect directly to your custodian via their official API — no manual exports required
Data is pulled in real time from the custodian source, eliminating any possibility of document manipulation or gaps
Supports ongoing automated verification — your report updates monthly without any action on your part
Initial launch: Charles Schwab Trader API and IBKR Client Portal API. Additional custodians added on a rolling basis as we build each integration
Connection uses read-only OAuth2 authorization — ReturnSeal can never initiate transactions or access account credentials

API connection provides the highest level of data integrity. Advisors using direct API verification receive an enhanced badge on their public report.

Verified Report

What clients and prospects see when they scan your QR

Every verified advisor receives a permanent public URL and a unique QR code. Anyone who scans it sees a tamper-evident performance record — published by ReturnSeal, independent of the advisor.

Tamper-evident by design

Each report carries a cryptographic record of its underlying data. Any modification to the performance figures is detectable — the report is self-authenticating without relying on any third party to confirm it.

Complete performance disclosure

Reports present 1-, 5-, and 10-year (or since-inception) net returns — the standard periods required under the SEC Marketing Rule — together with cumulative TWR, month-by-month breakdown, beginning and ending values, total cash flows, risk metrics, and full disclosure of custodian, account number, and period covered.

Stable URL & QR code

Your report URL and QR code are permanent and never change — add them to your Form ADV, website, pitch deck, or business card. The verified report remains accessible for the duration of your active subscription. Anyone who scans sees the verified, unaltered figures.

Grows with your track record

Submit new monthly statements as they arrive. Your report extends automatically — same URL, same QR, updated verified figures. The longer your track record, the more powerful the credential.

Sample Reports

Choose your report style

Every ReturnSeal verification includes a public report your clients and prospects can access via QR code. Advisors choose between two presentation styles — same data, same compliance, different aesthetic.

✓ ReturnSeal Verified

10-Year Annualized Net Return

+14.9%

Advisor

+14.9%

S&P 500

+12.4%

Style A — Modern

Clean & Visual

Navy and gold palette with card-based layout. Ideal for advisors who want an approachable, contemporary feel — without sacrificing compliance rigour.

View sample report

RS-DEMO02 · VERIFIED PERFORMANCE REPORT

✓ VERIFIED

1-YEAR (NET) +24.1%

5-YEAR CAGR (NET) +16.8%

10-YEAR CAGR (NET) +14.9%

SINCE INCEPTION (NET) +14.9%

Style B — Institutional

Formal & Document-Grade

Monochrome letterhead format with IBM Plex typefaces. Designed for advisors targeting institutional clients, RIA compliance officers, or Form ADV use.

View sample report

"John Doe" is a fictional advisor. Sample figures are for illustration only — live reports are generated exclusively from official custodian data.

Regulatory Alignment

Designed for the regulated environment

ReturnSeal's verification methodology and disclosure standards are designed around the principles that underpin the main US performance-reporting frameworks. ReturnSeal is an independent verifier, not a regulator — we do not certify regulatory compliance.

SEC

Investment Advisers Act / Form ADV

The SEC requires that performance claims made by RIAs be accurate, not misleading, and presented with adequate disclosure of methodology and time periods.

Performance calculated on actual custodian data, not model or hypothetical results
Clear disclosure of time period, account type, and fee treatment
Methodology fully documented and auditable
Full track record presented — no cherry-picked periods

FINRA

Rules 2210 & 4511

FINRA governs performance advertising by registered representatives, requiring communications be fair, balanced, and based on sound methodology.

TWR methodology consistent with industry standards for performance presentation
Net-of-fee presentation aligned with fair presentation requirements
Third-party independent verification supporting accuracy of claims
Permanent record of supporting documentation maintained

GIPS

Global Investment Performance Standards

GIPS is the voluntary global standard for ethical performance presentation. ReturnSeal applies a methodology aligned with GIPS principles — note that formal GIPS compliance is a firm-wide claim made by an advisory firm, not by ReturnSeal.

Modified Dietz TWR — the GIPS-accepted sub-period calculation method
Geometric chain-linking of sub-period returns
Separate gross and net-of-fee return presentation where data permits
Consistent application across all verified accounts

Important disclosure: ReturnSeal provides independent performance verification services and is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, or compliance firm. Verification by ReturnSeal does not constitute a legal opinion on regulatory compliance. Advisors remain solely responsible for ensuring their performance advertising and disclosure practices comply with applicable laws and regulations. We recommend consulting qualified legal counsel before using verified performance data in regulatory filings or marketing materials.

Pricing

Priced on what you actually verify

No fixed tiers. Your quote is built from the scope of your verification — years of history and number of accounts. Contact us with your details and we'll send a precise figure.

Individual advisor

Advisor Verification

For independent advisors and IARs who want to verify and publish their own track record.

Your quote depends on

Years of history to verify — from 1 year up to your full track record. Longer history means more data to process and a more powerful credential.
Number of accounts — a single managed account or multiple accounts that together represent your strategy. Each account is independently verified and included in the report.

Every verification includes: independent TWR calculation, verified public report, unique QR code, and access for the duration of your subscription.

RIA / Broker-dealer

Firm Verification

For firms that want to verify the track records of multiple advisors under one engagement.