Jon Szostek CFP®, AIF®, RICP®, CRPC®, ChFEBC℠
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned from your clients?
The common thread is that each engagement teaches me to listen deeply and withhold the temptation to jump too quickly to a solution. Every individual or family faces different obstacles on the path to meeting their long-term goals.
Can you share a favorite kernel of wisdom for those just starting to invest and save?
Start saving for your retirement now. No one else is going to do it for you. Believe it or not, one day you will wake up and find yourself in your 50s. The earlier you start saving, the more compounding works for you—and the sooner you can start looking at work as an “option” rather than a “necessity.”
What personal traits do you believe most positively impact your job?
Positive thinking. As we all know, the stock market is not always smooth sailing. During the tough times, I try to instill the power of positive thinking on my clients. By focusing on the plan and setting realistic goals, we can help avoid financial stress by not getting caught up in current global headwinds beyond our control.
What are your personal interests and passions?
An avid local sports fan, I love attending games, playing sports, traveling and enjoying city life in Baltimore.
Education & Designations:
- Towson University, BS, Business Administration with a concentration in Finance
- Northwestern University, Certificate in Financial Planning
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
- ACCREDITED INVESTMENT FIDUCIARY®
- RETIREMENT INCOME CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL®
- CHARTERED RETIREMENT PLANNING COUNSELOR℠
- CHARTERED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES BENEFITS CONSULTANT℠
Registration & Licenses:
- FINRA Series 7 & 66 Registrations
- Life and Health Insurance Licensed
Career Highlights:
- Named as a “Five Star Wealth Manager” in Baltimore Magazine 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024*
- Member of the Financial Planning Association®
*This award was issued on 1/1/24 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 4/10/23 through 10/31/23. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 2,126 Baltimore-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 256 (12% of candidates) were named 2024 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2023: 2126, 256, 12%, 1/1/23, 4/18/22 – 10/21/22; 2022: 2078, 260, 13%, 1/1/22, 5/10/21 – 11/12/21; 2029, 237, 12%, 1/1/21, 4/27/20 – 10/30/20; 2020: 1898, 234, 12%, 1/1/20, 4/1/19 – 11/13/19; 2019: 1865, 265, 14%, 1/1/19, 4/19/18 – 11/7/18; 2018: 1759, 232, 13%, 1/1/18, 4/21/17 – 11/6/17; 2017: 1093, 355, 32%, 12/1/16, 3/26/16 – 11/11/16; 2016: 1215, 356, 29%, 12/1/15, 6/16/15 – 11/9/15; 2015: 1749, 412, 24%, 1/1/15, 6/16/14 – 11/9/14; 2014: 1484, 395, 27%, 1/1/14, 6/16/13 – 11/9/13; 2013: 1490, 448, 30%, 1/1/13, 6/16/12 – 11/9/12; 2012: 1470, 262, 18%, 1/1/12, 6/16/11 – 11/9/11. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria – required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP’s consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP’s consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client’s experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria – considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager’s future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients’ assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, Certified Financial Planner™ and federally registered CFP (with flame design) in the U.S., which awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.