December 2017 Student Forum Meeting

Student Forum Meetings are intended for those students at UCSC-Extension who are enrolled in the Personal Financial Planning Program and for members of the Financial Planning Association (any chapter).
These meetings are not open to the public.

The Good, the Bad, and the Very Ugly Truth about Starting Your Own RIA Practice

Chris Wentzien, CFP�, CPA, MBA, Natural Bridges Financial Advisors

Anandi Krishnamurthy, CFP�, MS, On Track Financial Advisory

Meeting Description

All Financial Advisors need to conduct their business in compliance with state and federal law. An Advisor who starts his own firm must register as a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Chris Wentzien and Anandi Krishnamurthy will share their personal experiences related to starting their RIA practices. The talk will include general information about starting an RIA practice and specifics like:

getting your first 10 (quality) clients
marketing strategies
start-up costs
efficiency as practice expands
goals and accountability for building your practice
licenses and qualifications necessary
compliance and liability concerns.

Many students dream of starting their own financial advisory practice, but there are challenges along the way. Whether you know exactly what path you plan to follow or are still weighing your options, this talk will provide you with valuable information.

Speaker Biographies

Anandi Krishnamurthy, CFP�, began her work life as a software developer. She completed the Personal Financial Planning certificate from UCSC Extension in 2012, passed the CFP� exam in March 2013 and her CFP� in early 2016. She worked at Wade Financial Advisory until recently, with clients from many walks of life, developing and presenting financial plans, proposing tax optimization strategies and analyzing client portfolios. She also specializes in optimizing employee benefits such as 401k plans and stock compensation. Recently, Anandi launched her own financial planning firm, On Track Financial Advisory, focused primarily on young professionals and their families as well as baby boomers contemplating retirement in the near future. Anandi has a Masters in Computer Science from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester NY and a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from Birla Institute of Science and Technology in Pilani, India.

Chris Wentzien is the founder and principal of Natural Bridges Financial Advisors. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of California at Santa Barbara and an MBA from Westminster College. Chris is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Prior to starting his own firm in 2008, Chris worked at a leading Silicon Valley wealth management firm. He is currently an instructor at the UCSC Extension Silicon Valley Personal Financial Planning Department. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Silicon Valley Financial Planning Association. As a former professional soccer player, Chris is one of the founders of the Santa Cruz County FC Revolution, a non-profit premier youth soccer club working with underserved children in Santa Cruz County.

Pricing and Registration

This is a free event. Registration is open through November 30th. If you must cancel, please contact Susan Adams at execdirector@fpasv.org.

Note the new address for UCSC Extension: 3175 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara.

Logistics

Entrance to parking lot is on Scott Blvd (across from Whole Foods), though the street address in on Bowers Avenue. If you use GPS, it will give you convoluted instructions. You may park anywhere in the lot. The lobby faces Scott. Upon entry, check the electronic signboard to your left (at 1st reception desk) and look for an event “Student Forum”, or with my name “Cynthia Riley” on it. The classroom number will be provided. You can ask the receptionist for directions to the room.

Lunch is not provided. A brown bag lunch is OK to bring. There is a Specialty’s Deli across the street (on Scott) along with a Whole Foods, Opas!, and other restaurants. The room will open up at 11:30 am and the team will be there setting up, so you are welcome to come early.

Student Forum Meetings are intended for those students at UCSC-Extension who are enrolled in the Personal Financial Planning Program and for members of the Financial Planning Association.