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In This Issue
President's Message
Stay in Touch
Job Opportunity
Happy Anniversary
FPA/NEO
Board of Directors
President:
Mark McCandless, CFP�, CPA

President Elect:
Molly Balunek, CFP�

Treasurer:
Patrick Hanratty, CFP�, CPA/PFS

Secretary:
Kevin Kroskey, CFP�

Trustees:
Mary Farrell, CFP�
Mario Gigante, CFP�, CPA, AIFA�
Ken Paull, CFP�
Pamela Sandy, CFPzzr

Chairman
Bill Russo, CFP�
Upcoming Program Dates


April 15, 2010
Topic:  "Pilgrimage to Warren Buffett's Omaha"
(Book Event)
speaker:  Jeff Matthews, Author
Place:  Joseph Beth Booksellers/Bronte Bistro
Legacy Village
3 - 6 p.m.
Sign-up on-line
click here

May 20, 2010
Annual a networking Event
Topic:  "Networking with Social Media"
Speaker: 
Michael DeAloia
Place:  The Club at Key Center
127 Public Square
3 - 6 p.m.

June/July/August 2010
No programming held

September 16, 2010
Annual Ethics Program
Speaker:  Patrick Kuhse
2CE
Lockkeepers

October 18, 2010
FPA/NEO Symposium
Speakers include:
Nick Murray
Blaine Aikin
Place:  LaCenter
7:30 a.m. - 5  p.m.

November 18, 2010
The State of the Profession
Panel event
panel:  TBA
Place:  Lockkeepers
2 - 6 p.m.
 
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Gold Sponsor:
Charles Schwab Institutional

Silver Sponsors:
American Funds

Direxion Funds

Fidelity

Franklin Templeton Investments

Long Term Care Financial Partners

Ohio Tuition Trust

Prudential Annuities

SS&G Financial Services

Tri-C Corporate College

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FPA/NEO April 2010 Newsletter

President's Message
by Mark McCandless, CFP�, CPA

FPA Needs Your Support in The Battle for Financial Planning

At last month's meeting, Kelly Igoe of the Ohio Division of Securities presented an outstanding program about the Division's efforts to protect and educate consumers of financial services. I was astounded at some of the schemes perpetrated against Ohio investors. Some of these criminals held themselves out to the public as financial planners. How is this possible in an age when students like my son who would like to umpire a little league game must take a course and pass a test to umpire games? There are obviously areas of financial services which are regulated. However, the offering and delivery of financial planning does not have the same regulation as attorneys, nurses, doctors or CPAs. Sometimes I find that little � after CFP� to be an annoying attachment, especially when it sits next to that "pristine" CPA! The little � means a very nice non-profit organization granted a designation to me. Have you noticed how many �'s following special "expert designations" are floating around out there these days?

Last week I received a letter from the Financial Planning Coalition indicating that a bill had cleared the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. The bill requires that those who hold themselves out as financial planners must be regulated by a financial planning oversight board, meet basic competency standards and adhere to a fiduciary standard! Great news except the provision was removed from the bill as a result of "industry forces" according to the Coalition. Instead regulation of financial planning will be studied. While the Coalition hailed this as an important first step in the recognition of financial planning as a profession, I feel this demonstrated the need for FPA members to be more involved in a David vs. Goliath battle against these so called industry forces.

How can you help? First, go to http://www.fpanet.org/GovernmentRelations/GrassrootsEfforts/

Here you can connect directly with your federal and local legislators. You may need to update your profile. Once you do this, your legislators contact information will appear. For example, both Senators Voinovich and Brown, Representative Sutton and my local Ohio House and Senate legislators appear on my FPA page. This makes it easy to contact them when FPA needs my help to get our message across. Second, consider joining our local chapter government relations committee. We are constructing a strategic plan to contact our legislators and your help is essential. If you already have contact with a legislator and personally have an interest in this area, please contact our Chapter Executive Lynn Bracic. We are looking for volunteers who are passionate about this area and who are willing to share some time and ideas.

Financial planning as a profession and the fiduciary standard go hand in hand. If financial planning is to be a recognized profession, it must be regulated by a governmental body. I look forward to the day when my CPA and CFP can co-exist without the �.

Stay in Touch

Stay in touch with the FPA through facebook and LinkedIn!

FPA of Northeast Ohio is on facebook!  Add FPA NEO as a friend and stay current on Chapter events. The national Financial Planning Association also has a group.  Join, and participate in the many interesting discussions of our colleagues around the world.  facebook Fan Page 

On LinkedIn, join the FPA group, connect with our colleagues and access news, discussions and job postings within our industry.  LinkedIn

The FPA also has a blog called All Things Financial Planning Blog.  You can find it through facebook, LinkedIn, or go directly to blog.fpaforfinancialplanning.org.

Share the word!

Our chapter has a new website!  Bookmark it at http://www.fpanet.org/Chapters/NortheastOhio/ 

Use this page as your gateway to access both our chapter news and the resources of the national organization.

Please contact Molly Balunek at 216.839-5134 or [email protected]

Job Opportunty!

Company Description:

Eileen M. Burkhart & Co., LLC is a comprehensive financial planning and investment advisory firm located at 2485 Fairmount Blvd., Suite E in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  Providing personalized financial consulting to individuals for more than twenty years, our services encompass education planning, investment management*, retirement and estate planning.  We combine experience and expertise to provide the highest level of customized service to our clients.

* Securities and Advisory Services Offered Through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Advisor


Job Description:


Eileen M. Burkhart & Co., LLC has an exciting career opportunity for an experienced and accomplished financial planning and investment advisory services professional.  We are seeking a highly motivated individual with a passion for providing outstanding service to clients to fulfill a major role in our office.  Must have supervisory experience, strong leadership skills, and thrive on working collaboratively with a team of professionals.

 

This position oversees all aspects of the office, including the management of all operational tasks and the supervision of other employees. The incumbent will design and implement operational systems to streamline operations and maximize revenue interests. Additionally, the role ensures the accuracy of transactions, oversees account maintenance, acts as a liaison with the broker/dealer, as needed, and ensures compliance with all relevant government regulations.

 

Responsibilities:

 

1.     Measure and ensure the effectiveness of all internal and external processes. Provide timely, accurate, and complete reports on firm operations

2.     Review work methods and procedures for possible quality improvements and efficiencies, and implement them when appropriate

3.     Develop, communicate, and implement effective processes, including growth strategies, work flow initiatives, and improvements in the client experience

4.     Oversee all areas of compliance

5.     Collaborate with CEO/owner regarding the operational infrastructure of systems, processes, compliance, and personnel

6.     Manage, assign, complete and/or delegate work and provide feedback to support staff

7.     Act as a technical resource; provide training and support to other staff

8.     Motivate and lead a high-performance team by attracting, recruiting, and retaining staff

9.     Provide mentoring and guidance to assist staff with their development and by emulating the firm's mission/vision

10.  Set up and maintain CRM system to ensure accuracy and to maximize effectiveness of the data

11.  Manage and resolve client service problems

12.  Regularly update an office procedures manual

13.  Other duties, as required

 

Requirements:

 

      BS/BA in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration

      Securities registrations: Series 7 and 63

      5-7 years' experience in the financial services industry

      Detail-oriented; strong math, decision-making, and analytical skills

      Strong technical skills, including PC, Internet, and software skills

      Superior interpersonal, oral, and written communications skills

      Experience with and the ability to supervise others

      Ability to effectively convey complex objectives into discrete steps and tasks to facilitate successful implementation

 

Please e-mail resume, references and cover letter to:

[email protected]


Happy Anniversary

27 Years
Bruce Jentner, CFP�, CSA
John H. Mannen, CFP�
Les A. Szarka, CFP�

26 Years
Donald L. Butler, CFP�
Kenneth E. Mears, CFP�, CLU, CFS

21 Years
Nancy A. Radzyminski, CFP�

16 Years
George W. Morris, III, CFP�
Russel B. Walcher, CFP�

12 Years

Gerald Matthew Koler, CFP�
Frank J. Ziegler, CFP�

11 Years

Kelly L. Bianco, CFP�
Brian T. Bishop, CFP�, CPA, PFS, CWS

10 Years

Steven M. Young, CFP�


8 Years
Gary a. Pinkerton, CFP�, CSA, CFA
Kelly s. Pariso

7 Years

Gerald Weil, CFP�

6 Years
George McFadden

5 Years
Brian F. Coppolino, CFP�

3 Years

Daniel W. Phillips, CFP�

2 Years
Donald M. Miksch, CFP�
David L. Pelland, CFP�
Mark J. Hawald

1 Year
Paul D. Guerra
Michael J. Suttle, CPA, CFP�
Al Barnabei