About Us
ABOUT US
About CPIA
Our Firm Was Built To Serve A Special Group
As an investor, you can go anywhere for financial advice. Wall Street brokerages, giant insurance companies and online discount brokers are vying for your business. But what type of firm should you trust? At CPIA, we believe our business model is aligned with pursuing solutions that are in our clients’ best interest, thereby presenting a superior opportunity for a special group of clients:
- We are an independent, privately owned firm with deep root in this community.
- Since we don’t have a huge marketing budget we rely on referrals from our clients to grow our business, so we are directly motivated to please every client we serve.
- As an independent advisory, we choose financial products that are best for you—unbiased by the demands and sales quotas that could be imposed by a corporate parent.
- Our entire focus is on developing and managing a comprehensive financial strategy that meets your unique needs.
- You receive personal attention and advice from a professional who comes to know you.
- As a Registered Investment Advisor, we are regulated by the Alabama Securities Commission.
With A Fiduciary, Your Interests Come First
Our Responsibility In Serving You Is Clear
At CPIA, we embrace our role as a fiduciary, a responsibility that means we must always act with your best interest in mind. As a fiduciary, we are different from traditional personal financial advisors who are brokers. It’s a distinction we are proud of because it benefits you.
- Unlike a broker, we are not licensed to sell you securities and we are not salespeople.
- We are a Registered Investment Adviser and only sell you our services.
- You need not worry about hidden fees or a hidden agenda because, as an RIA, we are required by law to fully disclose any conflicts of interests we have in serving you.
- We earn our fee not by charging you commissions on securities trades like stockbrokers, but by levying a fee for ongoing money management.
- You avoid the conflict of interest that arises when a broker receives better commissions by selling you one product instead of another or makes money by making more trades in your account.
- As a fee-only financial advisory firm, we do not accept fees from third-party product providers.
MEET OUR TEAM
Gary Clark
Gary Clark began his professional career with a large national accounting firm in 1974. In 1978 he began Clark Planning & Investment Advisory. He is fortunate to have had the opportunity to obtain an excellent college education in accounting and economics and subsequently obtain the degree of Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist conferred by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He continued his education in financial planning and investment management and received the CFP™ credential from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and ChFC designation from the American College. CFP™ is a certification mark owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Gary Clark began his professional career with a large national accounting firm in 1974. In 1978 he began Clark Planning & Investment Advisory. He is fortunate to have had the opportunity to obtain an excellent college education in accounting and economics and subsequently obtain the degree of Certified Public Accountant and Personal Financial Specialist conferred by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He continued his education in financial planning and investment management and received the CFP™ credential from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and ChFC designation from the American College. CFP™ is a certification mark owned by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc.
Emily Clark
Emily Clark has over 22 years experience in managing the office, accounting, and client contact and services. She truly cares about our clients and is eager to be of service. She has excellent organizational skills and a special talent to get things done efficiently and economically. She performs various administrative functions for clients as needed. Her education includes college courses in accounting.
Emily Clark has over 22 years experience in managing the office, accounting, and client contact and services. She truly cares about our clients and is eager to be of service. She has excellent organizational skills and a special talent to get things done efficiently and economically. She performs various administrative functions for clients as needed. Her education includes college courses in accounting.
Jenny Clark
Jenny is Gary and Emily's daughter. She has been working with Clark Planning for many years now assisting Gary with all aspects of the day to day business. She has four children. Aidan, Ella Mae, Jojo and Zee.
Jenny's personal blog
Jenny is Gary and Emily's daughter. She has been working with Clark Planning for many years now assisting Gary with all aspects of the day to day business. She has four children. Aidan, Ella Mae, Jojo and Zee.