THE ACHIEVERS CPA Wealth Provider is proud to present the fifth annual financial planning awards honoring CPA/financial planning firms, broker/dealers, and financial planning software vendors as well as providing special Awards of Excellence to those who are in the vanguard of leadership in financial planning. The winners are those firms or companies that have taken the lead through innovation, efficiency, initiative, or growth in the financial planning area.
The chief editors of Accounting Today, CPA Wealth Provider, and Practical Accountant judged the 60+ nominations received. The winners, along with honorable mentions, are detailed in these pages.
CPA/Financial Planning Firms
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Amper Financial Services
Bridgewater, N.J.
An innovative program, The Advocacy Process, encompasses eight steps that take into consideration the client’s whole financial picture. This program integrates all aspects of the client’s financial planning needs and allows the firm to work together as a team and build value to the services it offers its clients. The program was created because of an overwhelming need for the clients to have a holistic and consultative approach to an array of areas.
Lassus Wherley
New Providence, N.J.
One of the first firms to offer fee-only financial planning, the firm has taken a family office approach allowing it to step in and assist the client either directly or indirectly which may cover sales of homes, property maintenance, and nursing home visits for out of town children. It created the first comprehensive plan in 1985 and client #1 is still on board. The firm has been leading the drive to protect the consumer through a fiduciary model.
Plante Moran Financial Advisors
Southfield, Mich.
The firm focuses on managed growth, the largest component of which is building its infrastructure. Five years ago, its research team consisted of one person and the operations teams consisted of three people. Today a staff of 30 comprise combined groups and a staff of over 100 focuses on what they do best, both functionally and within niches. Its business strategy is under what it calls the “Wheel of Progress” so that it continues to grow and invest back into the overall business.
Rowling, Dold & Associates
San Diego, Calif.
The firm manages some $210 million in assets on a “fee-only” basis. It offers a clear investment strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory and which is meticulously applied within the ever-changing economic environment. It has achieved extraordinary net income growth by its consistent focus on targeted clients, decreasing tax prep and hourly consulting services, and increasing quarterly fee-based income by referring out smaller accounts and adding larger ones.
Russell & Company
Fairborn, Ohio
A family owned and operated firm whose mission is to coach its family of retirees with ideas of asset preservation and how to pass a legacy onto future generations with the least amount of hassle and taxes while still enjoying peace of mind and quality of life. The firm has started various educational presentations such as a savings bond workshop, 1031 tax-free exchange, radio segments of questions and answers on three local stations, a volunteer group called Advocates for the Aging that seeks to be a source of ethical and competent solutions for the seniors, and specific “handcrafted” newsletters.
