The Center Named 2022 Best Place to Work for Financial Advisers by InvestmentNews

Contributed by: Jaclyn Jackson, CAP®

On February 7th, 2022, Center for Financial Planning. Inc. was named a 2022 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers by InvestmentNews. The Center was chosen as one of this year’s top 75 based on employer and employee surveys delving into everything from company culture, benefits, career paths, and more. InvestmentNews partnered with Best Companies Group, an independent research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to compile the survey and recognition program.

Winning Culture

Our mission, core values, service values, and company vision are the foundation of Center culture. The Center team is committed to…

• The Financial Planning Process

• Education and Personal Growth

• Being Nice and Kind

• Teamwork and Collaboration

• Energy and Enthusiasm

• Being Real and Down to Earth

We take our work seriously and are enthusiastic about providing excellent service. Yet, we recognize healthy company culture is also fun. We have brought levity to the office with fantasy football competitions, “soup”er Thursday charity drives, company outings like fowling and curling, and peer training through lunch n’ learns. Additionally, we have started stellar committees including our Social, Health & Wellness, Creativity, and new Diversity & Inclusion Committees. Two parts professionalism and exceptional service with one part fun has proven to be our award-winning mix to make The Center a great workplace.

Winning Culture Promotes Winning Service

As rewarding as it is to receive public recognition, our motivation for applying to InvestmentNews’ award has much more to do with offering incomparable service. We wholeheartedly believe that happy employees happily provide great service.  

The InvestmentNews selection process starts with each employee filling out an anonymous survey, rating everything from wages to company benefits. Fortunately, InvestmentNews provides an aggregate of survey results to award candidates. To us, this is the most valuable part of the process; getting critical feedback collected by an independent research firm. In the years since we began applying, The Center has used employee feedback to…

• Add dental and vision insurance

• Revamp parental leave

• Add flexible holiday leave to accommodate multi-cultural practices

• Expand bereavement eligibility

Improving opportunities for employees supports business sustainability. Compared to peers, The Center has a low team turnover. Not only have we been able to retain staff (even through - dare I say the dreaded word - a pandemic), our team has actually grown. A huge benefit of being a “best place to work” is that we are able to attract top-tier talent to the firm. Take it from partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Lauren Adams, who found The Center years ago while reviewing best places to work lists,

“Our intentional focus on creating a great workplace has allowed us to maintain high team member engagement, keep turnover low, attract top talent to our firm, and collectively strive to live our mission of “improving lives through financial planning done right.”

We have retained seasoned professionals who provide a level of service that only comes with experience. Our success in attracting, training, developing, and maintaining professionals is a sustainable competitive advantage. We know this advantage helps The Center consistently provide top-quality service to our clients.

Please join us in celebrating this prestigious acknowledgment. We are excited and hopeful that fostering a healthy work environment creates a win-win situation for both employees and clients alike! Want to meet our team? Click HERE.

Jaclyn Jackson, CAP® is a Senior Portfolio Manager at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She manages client portfolios and performs investment research.

Any opinions are those of Jaclyn Jackson, CAP®, and not necessarily those of Raymond James.

Investment News “2021 Top 75 Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers”. The Best Places to Work for Financial Advisers program is a national program managed by Best Companies Group. The survey and recognition program are dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers in the financial advice/wealth management industry. The final list is based on the following criteria: must be a registered investment adviser (RIA), affiliated with an independent broker-dealer (IBD), or a hybrid doing business through an RIA and must be in business for a minimum of one year and must have a minimum of 15 full-time/part-time employees. The assessment process is compiled in a two part process based on the findings of the employer benefits & policies questionnaire and the employee engagement & satisfaction survey. The results are analyzed and categorized according to 8 Core Focus Areas: Leadership and Planning, Corporate Culture and Communications, Role Satisfaction, Work Environment, Relationship with Supervisor, Training, Development and Resources, Pay and Benefits and Overall Engagement. Best Companies Group will survey up to 400 randomly selected employees in a company depending on company size. The two data sets are combined and analyzed to determine the rankings. The award is not representative of any one client's experience, is not an endorsement, and is not indicative of an advisor's future performance. Neither Raymond James nor any of its Financial Advisors pay a fee in exchange for this award. Investment News and/or Best Companies Group is not affiliated with Raymond James.

Matt Trujillo Captains The Center’s First Corporate Chess Team

Contributed by: Matt Trujillo, CFP®

October 7th marked the first day of the North American Corporate Chess League (NACCL). The league is relatively new, coming into existence in 2019, but has grown quite rapidly and expanded to 35 total teams this year for Season 3. This is the Center for Financial Planning’s first year competing in the league, and I’m pleased to report that we started off with a bang! 

To summarize the format, you play two games every week. The games are played at www.lichess.org and last approximately 30 minutes each. The pairing software for the league takes your chess rating and pairs you against an opponent from another team that is right around the same rating as you are. So, leading up to the games, you have no idea what team you’ll be paired against!

The team currently consists of 9 players of all strengths, with yours truly, Matt Trujillo, as the captain and first board (top-rated player). Week 1 saw us paired up against many different opponents, but a few notable names were Deloitte, Qualcomm, Peloton, AIRBNB, LendingTree.com, and SIG (Season 1 champions). There were some nerves on all sides, but the team still scored some nice wins. We ended the evening with a total score of 5 out of 8 possible wins and tied for 18th out of 35th overall. 

I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. The goal is to climb the leader board and break into the top 10, but the biggest goal is to have some fun and introduce new people to competitive tournament chess!

Matthew Trujillo, CFP®, is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® A frequent blog contributor on topics related to financial planning and investment, he has more than a decade of industry experience.

Center Participates in Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

Center Team members recently participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Brighton. The walk, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan, raised funds and awareness for dementia, a disease that has and continues to impact our clients, client’s families, and team member’s families. Alzheimer’s and other dementias impact those diagnosed and their families so significantly from a psychological, emotional, and financial standpoint that we make substantial efforts at The Center to provide extra information, resources, and support to clients who may be impacted. Helping to raise awareness and funds for research is just one of the things we do!

If a client or family member were to receive a dementia diagnosis, we have helpful resources and action steps available here:

How to Reduce the Risks of Dementia and Diminished Capacity to Your Retirement Plan

A Dementia Diagnosis and Your Financial Plan

The Center Supports “Swing Fore the Cure” Golf Outing

Contributed by: Nicholas Boguth, CFA®

The Center was proud to sponsor the "Swing Fore the Cure" golf outing, a fantastic event involving raising money for a worthy cause and having a great time while doing it! The outing was organized by the family of the Center’s own, Nick Boguth, whose mother has been a significant fundraiser for the cause since becoming a breast cancer survivor 15 years ago.

Cancer is something that hits close to home for most of us as we all have colleagues, family, or friends who have been affected by the disease. The Center was happy to corral around this event, bring some of our Center energy to the golf course, and support the fundraising efforts that benefitted Ascension St. John Breast Cancer Center, Wigs 4 Kids, and Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Nicholas Boguth, CFA® is a Portfolio Administrator at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® He performs investment research and assists with the management of client portfolios.

Nick Boguth Achieves CFA Designation

Contributed by: Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®

This summer, Nick completed his journey to obtain his Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA®) designation.  Nick started as an intern with the Center in May 2014, eventually joining us full time after graduating from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) with a degree in Economics and Statistics.  Almost immediately after starting full-time, he began the long road to achieving his CFA® designation over five years ago.

Nicholas Boguth, newly minted Chartered Financial Analyst

What is the CFA® Designation?

The curriculum builds a strong educational foundation of advanced investment analysis and real-world portfolio management skills.  Upon completion, the average designation holder has spent roughly 1,000 hours studying! 

There are three levels that Nick will have to pass and several other hurdles before he can utilize the designation:

• CFA level 1 – tests your basic knowledge and comprehension focused on investment tools and ethics.

• CFA level 2 – tests more complex analysis along with a focus on valuing assets

• CFA level 3 – requires a synthesis of all the concepts and analytical methods in various applications for effective portfolio management and wealth planning.

Along with passing the courses and the exams, Nick must have four years of work experience in investment decision-making, which he has earned with his role as Portfolio Administrator here at the Center.  He must also agree to follow a rigorous Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct and become a member of the CFA Institute. 

Is this Easy?

While Nick may have made it seem easy to the rest of us, it is far from easy.  It is a popular designation to seek out.  Each year nearly 200,000 people from all over the world register to take one of the exams offered only once per year!  The pass rate for each level is usually only around 40%.

As with everything else, the examinations were set back due to COVID.  Nick persevered through COVID delays, planning a wedding, newborn twins, and two home purchases and renovations. When I asked Nick his thoughts on the program, he said:

The entire process was incredibly rewarding. I learned more than I ever thought I would over the past few years. It was a challenging road to pass the final level, and I was absolutely thrilled to complete it, but it feels like just the beginning. I’m looking forward to putting this knowledge to good use here at The Center in a constant effort to provide clients with the best investment experience possible.

Nick’s education and passion for research already adds more depth to The Center’s Investment Department and Committee in helping us shape portfolios for clients!  Look for many more great things to come from Nick!  Way to go, Nick!

Angela Palacios, CFP®, AIF®, is a partner and Director of Investments at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She chairs The Center Investment Committee and pens a quarterly Investment Commentary.

Crain’s Cool Places to Work: Five Years Running

Contributed by: Center for Financial Planning, Inc.®

We are happy to announce The Center has been awarded Crain’s 2021 Cool Places to Work* in Michigan for the fifth consecutive year!  Crain’s Cool Places to Work was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Michigan. The 2021 Cool Places to Work in Michigan list is made up of 100 companies in three size categories: small (15-49 employees), medium (50-249), and large (250+). Companies underwent a two-part assessment. First, nominees were evaluated on their policies, practices, and demographics. Then, employees were asked to submit surveys. The combined scores determined the final rankings.

THE CENTER WAY

The Center team has spoken, and it is evident we are all proud of benefits like professional development, education reimbursement, workplace committees, and social events. Our fun culture is developed over ping-pong tournaments, chili cook-offs, and volunteer work.

After months of working remotely, The Center team gathers for a pandemic-safe, outdoor social event.

TEAMWORK…During a Pandemic

“We are especially proud of how we’re managing the curveball 2020 threw us. When COVID-19 hit, we transitioned to working remotely and formed a response committee tasked with making the office a safe place to return to,” said Lauren Adams, CFA, CFP®.

Managing office culture remotely comes with its challenges, but none were significant enough to break the incredible community our office has developed.  We’ve started a book club to keep engaged and even brought in a little competition with our bracket-style stock education game, Market Madness, and health and wellness contests throughout the pandemic.  The health and wellness contests helped keep the COVID 15lbs at bay.

Planners, Josh Bitel and Kali Hassinger, enjoy food truck treats.

Ultimately, The Center is a cool place to work because each team member contributes to a caring and positive workplace.

*This ranking is not based in anyway on the individual's abilities in regards to providing investment advice or management.  This ranking is not indicative of advisor’s future performance, is not an endorsement, and may not be representative of individual clients' experience.  Raymond James is not affiliated with (referenced organization/entity).

“Do Good at Work” A Center Book Club Discussion

Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®

Our Center team took on the challenge of a different kind of book with this quarter’s book club discussion, choosing to read Brea Boccalandro’s new release Do Good at Work: How Simple Acts of Social Purpose Drive Success and Wellbeing.

The general premise of the book was to offer practical advice on how to make your work life more meaningful by job purposing — making a meaningful contribution to others or a social cause as part of the workplace experience. Studies show that we work harder, longer and happier when we pursue social purpose. And it doesn’t matter what position we hold in an organization — anybody can job purpose their own job.  We can all use our own jobs for good and be proud that our job matters.

Some Center Team members share their thoughts below:

“Going forward, this book has helped me think more intentionally about connecting the work we do to a larger purpose.” — Lauren Adams, CFA®, CFP®

“My key takeaway from the book is that small acts make a huge difference. No matter what your job is you can find fulfillment.” — Kelsey Arvai, MBA

“Two things that I learned:  (1) Leave ample ‘time’ for the important things in work and life; and (2) Most people are inner givers, but some need to be taught.”  — Matthew E. Chope, CFP®

Our Center book discussion group had interesting conversations around “Do Good at Work” and these concepts and enjoyed applying them to the work we do with each other, with our clients and with the community. We have already begun to apply the concepts we discussed in our book group and have several other ideas in the works to apply in the near future.

Sandra Adams, CFP® is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and holds a CeFT™ designation. She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.

The Final Four 'Stocks': A Center Spin-Off Competition

Contributed by: Jeanette LoPiccolo, CFP®

To celebrate the annual college basketball tournament, The Center Team hosted an internal spin-off competition. We set aside our favorite teams and adopted individual stocks instead. You may be thinking – that sounds kooky! It is a bit. Our celebration is a mash-up of internal team education, some charitable giving, and a bit of friendly competition. 

How It Works

Our investment strategies contain mutual funds and ETFs that are comprised of individual stocks. The stocks are our basketball teams. Nick Boguth, our trusted portfolio administrator, highlighted 30 of these stocks within our carefully chosen strategies. Each stock was then selected by a team member and entered into our March “Market” Madness brackets. While the Center takes a long-term approach to investing, we are tracking these stocks for a short period just for fun. The top four winners will receive a donation to their favorite nonprofit organization.

To kick off our competition, our amazing team members, Lauren Adams, Nick Boguth, and Jaclyn Jackson led a Zoom presentation on the fundamentals of stock investing, valuations techniques, and where those 30 stocks fit within client portfolios. It was a great opportunity for all team members–not just those in investment or planning roles—to “check under the hood” of our most commonly used investments to see the stocks that help determine the fund’s performance. Each team member then selected their best guess to “win”. The Center will donate $1,000 to the final four nonprofits. Go team!

Our Final Four Winners

1. Josh (HD), Alex's Saints Foundation

2. Kelsey (TGT), Ruth Ellis Center

3. Sandy (JNJ), Haven (Oakland County)

4. Matt T. (LB), Methodist Children's Home (Redford, MI)

P.S. Want to know more about The Center’s charitable giving? 

Check out our Center Cares page. Our internal Charitable Committee is made up of 6-8 team members who help coordinate charitable giving activities, volunteer events, and promote donations of our time and talent to local nonprofits. We believe in supporting our local community, building relationships with nonprofits, and promoting financial education to underserved communities.

Jeanette LoPiccolo, CFP® is an Associate Financial Planner at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® She is a 2018 Raymond James Outstanding Branch Professional, one of three recognized nationwide.

The RJFS Outstanding Branch Professional Award is designed to recognize support professionals in RJFS branches who contribute to the success of their advisors and teams. Each year, three winners are selected and recognized during this year's National Conference for Professional Development. To be considered for this award, Branch Professionals must have been affiliated with Raymond James for at least one year and could not have won the award in the past.

Senior Financial Planner Joins Center Team: Meet Michael!

Welcome to the team!

The Center proudly welcomes Michael Brocavich, CFP®, MBA to our team. With nearly 13 years of experience in the profession, Michael is thrilled to join a team where he can collaborate with other professionals to further enhance his career as a financial planner. 

Background

His extensive background includes both personal and corporate finance. After earning a BA in Economics and Management from Albion College, he launched his career in finance with Federal Mogul in Southfield, Michigan. He then went on to earn an MBA from Wayne State University and relocated to Chicago, where he worked as a senior financial analyst, first for Federal Mogul and later Barton, Inc.

Michael entered the personal finance field in 2007 when he joined MetLife Investors' Marketing and Distribution division. In 2013, he opened an Edward Jones office in Northville, Michigan, helping individual investors and small business owners with financial goal planning and wealth management.

Specialties

He joined Raymond James Financial Services in May of 2017 as a financial advisor specializing in financial planning, wealth management, and estate planning. 

Personal Life

Michael and his wife live in nearby Plymouth. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, the company of friends and family, and everything Detroit Sports.

Branding Your New Year

Contributed by: Kimberly Wyman

*Originally posted December 30, 2015

A New Year is traditionally a time to set resolutions you hope to accomplish over the coming year. At The Center, we encourage you to Live YOUR Plan™ every day, but what a better time of the year to reinforce and embrace all that you wish to be, do and have.

Identifying the lifestyle that best suits you is similar to crafting a personal brand and crafting a personal brand can be greatly supported by setting goals a.k.a. setting New Year’s resolutions.

A personal brand is about:

• Realizing you already have a personal brand – everyone does. Your existing personal brand is someone’s gut feeling about you and your existing perception of yourself. Does your brand say what you want it to say?

• Acknowledging where you currently are. What is your gut feeling about yourself? What do others say?

• Recognizing where you want to be. How do you want to be perceived, by yourself and by others?

• Bridging the gap between the two points. This is your personal brand journey and an excellent lead-in to your desired lifestyle.

5 Ways to Brand Your New Year

1. What are you passionate about? Most of us know what gets us up in the morning. If you don’t, consider spending time exploring this. If you truly aren’t passionate about anything, how about if you pick something and stick with it for 3 months? By eliminating things that you’re not passionate about, it just may lead you to what you are passionate about. Knowing this passion will help you set a resolution that is sure to make you proud of yourself.

2. Where do your strengths lie? Sometimes we’re good at things that don’t interest us. But, understanding what we’re good at can help us leverage what we truly want by taking some of the extra legwork out of the equation.

3. What do you want to learn about? Are there a million things that come to mind? Just pick one to focus on. If you have nothing that comes to mind, then just pick something and stick with learning all about it for a designated period of time. Eventually, you’ll discover things you truly want to learn about via process of elimination.

4. Where do you want to explore? Your neighborhood? You community? Your state? Your country? The world? Pick a place. Read about it, learn about it, visit…even if only virtually. This world is pretty big and pretty small at the same time. Take time to learn about another tiny corner besides that in which you live.

5. Be consistent. As with any type of branding – personal or professional – branding relies on consistency. Be faithful. Be reliable. Be steadfast. 

Having a clear vision of your desired lifestyle can help you make very good decisions about which paths you follow and which you choose to decline. Having a clear vision of your desired lifestyle will also make planning for your everyday and your future easier. Make life count. Live YOUR Plan™ and Happy New Year!

---

Any opinions are those of Kimberly Wyman and not necessarily those of Raymond James.