Clone of Why I Became A Financial Advisor

By William G. Cummings, CPA/PFS

From a young age, I learned about the security that healthy finances can provide a person. Growing up in a military family, we lived paycheck to paycheck. My father was always traveling, which left my mom to deal with four kids and handle all the finances. My mom had little understanding of how to save, much less invest, which created a huge amount of anxiety and stress. When my dad retired from the military, at age 42 and with no plan in place, her fears were only elevated, culminating in a divorce.

They moved to different states, which left me to fend for myself. At the age of 17, and in high school, I became homeless. My mother's situation wasn't much better.  At the age 58, she died of cancer and was penniless with all of her worldly possessions held in a big pink suitcase. When I saw her suitcase, void of so many things that I remembered having meant so much to her, I made a promise to myself that I would never lose my way.

Finding My Way

Through hard work, I graduated high school. I was so poor and I was determined to make something of myself. Without any parental guidance, I put myself through college and later got my CPA license. I joined the corporate world as an accountant and quickly rose up the ranks to become a CFO of a large investment firm.

Despite working at a large investment company and having climbed the corporate ladder, I still felt insecure about money. The more money I made, the more I worried. This all changed when I sought the advice from a financial advisor. I learned to concentrate on things I could control, like saving and following a financial plan. It was comforting having a financial advisor to help me stay on track and who served as a trusted guide I could rely on when I had questions.

That very same insecurity led me to want to become a financial advisor. I began to realize that by learning every possible aspect of money and having a clear plan for the future in place, my anxieties lessened, as did my fear about my future.

Becoming an Advisor

I felt so empowered that I switched careers, so that I could empower others and add clarity to their lives.  After spending nearly 15 years as an executive in the corporate world, I felt confident enough to leave my ‘secure’ job to become an independent financial advisor and formed my firm, Concierge Financial Organization.

My true passion is to encourage every client to become more engaged in learning about money and planning for their future. By creating financial clarity for my clients, they become less intimidated, more engaged, and ultimately more confident about their financial future.

The Challenges and Triumphs

There are challenges that come with this role as an advisor. My clients are like family to me, so it’s always upsetting when a client passes away or experiences a hurdle in life. However, the pros outweigh the cons. It’s incredibly fulfilling when I get to help my clients work toward milestones, such as putting a child through college or having the financial freedom to make work optional.

I love what I do, and my clients rely on me to help them create and maintain the lifestyle they desire. This drives me every day in my career. In all that I do, my goal is for my clients to have the financial freedom to live the life they want and to not worry about money.

Taking the Next Step

Are you interested in learning more about how I work with clients and serve as their financial guide? I encourage you to reach out for a complimentary consultation. I would love the opportunity to become your trusted advisor. To get started, contact my office by calling 813-374-9676 or emailing bill@ourcfoteam.com.

About William

William Cummings is a partner with Concierge Financial Organization with more than two decades of industry experience. He helps his clients pursue financial comfort, protect their family and lifestyle, manage life events, and build a legacy. His passion as an advisor is to encourage every client to become more engaged in learning about money and planning for their future. By creating a more comfortable environment, he hopes his clients feel less intimidated, more engaged, and ultimately more confident about their financial future. Learn more by connecting with William on LinkedIn.

Concierge Financial Organization is independent of Signator Investors, Inc. Registered Representative/Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through Signator Investors, Inc. Member FINRA, SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. 1511 N. West Shore Blvd, Suite 1100, Tampa, FL  33607. 813.288-8800  513-20180806-466687