Brian Rhoads, CFA, EA
I help DIY investors keep it simple and stay the course.
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Serving Clients Nationwide
I help DIY investors keep it simple and stay the course.
Areas of Focus
- Equity Compensation Options
- Insurance
- Investing
- Retirement Planning
- Retiring Early (F.I.R.E)
- Taxes
About Brian Rhoads, CFA, EA
Hi, it's Brian Rhoads here! I provide financial planning advice without strings attached: no pitches to manage your money, no product offers, and no overtures for long-term commitments. Advice only, and only when needed. I provide services on a fixed-fee and hourly basis. If this resonates with you, click the Book Intro Call button on this page and let's connect. I look forward to speaking with you.Professional Experience
Brian's professional experience in the financial services industry spans 28 years. Brian is immeasurably grateful for the relationships with his colleagues and clients over the years.
At Quantitative Risk Management (QRM) for 23 years, Brian provided consulting services to life insurance companies and commercial banks on a range of topics including asset/liability management (ALM), financial planning and analysis (FP&A), portfolio optimization, capital management, stress testing and contingency planning. While at QRM, Brian developed expertise in the tools and techniques for aligning investments with liabilities, measuring and managing financial risks, and developing dynamic investment strategies.
At Allstate Insurance Company for 4 years, Brian priced personal auto insurance in the property & casualty company for 2 years, and then managed interest rate risk and liquidity risk for Allstate's life insurance subsidiaries for another 2 years. In these roles, Brian gained valuable knowledge of the insurance industry and insurance products including life insurance, annuities, property insurance, and liability insurance products.
Personal Story
Location: Brian, a lifelong Illinois resident, grew up in rural Oregon, Illinois. After earning an undergraduate degree in 1997 from a liberal arts college in Rock Island, Illinois, Brian settled in the northern suburbs of Chicago where he remains – at least until another Chicagoland winter gets the best of him.
Family: As luck would have it, Brian met his future wife, Mary, while on a daily train commute. Many commutes later, Brian and Mary tied the knot and eventually settled in Highland Park, Illinois, where they have been raising their son and daughter, now in their late teens.
Free time: In addition to spending time with family at home and traveling around the world, Brian jogs the Green Bay Trail, cycles throughout Lake County, volunteers as a tax preparer, and continues searching for a reliable golf swing. Brian remains a loyal fan of the Chicago professional sports teams, and still reminisces about the '85 Bears.
Professional Designations
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Enrolled Agent (EA)
Affiliations
-
Advice Only Network
- Fee Only Network
Primary Location
Highland Park, Illinois
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Offers Advice-Only Services
- Fee Only
- Flat Fee
- Hourly Rate
- One-time Financial Plan
What to expect in the first meeting
Click the 'Book Intro Call' button above to schedule a free 30-minute discovery call. We'll get to know each other and I'll listen to understand your unique circumstances so we can determine the best way to proceed. I look forward to speaking with you.About Checkpoint Financial Planning, LLC
Brian started Checkpoint Financial Planning, LLC to bring personalized financial advice to more people across the country.Brian observed that many people intentionally manage their own money and finances, yet still need professional financial advice from time to time, but without strings attached. That is, they do not want to pay an advisor an on-going fee to monitor their investments, face pressure to buy an annuity or life insurance, or commit to an on-going subscription service. Rather, these people just seek unbiased, independent financial advice when needed.
To be clear, Brian is not crusading against advisors who manage investments, insurance and annuity brokers, or advisors offering subscription services. Indeed, some people need such services or products, and in those cases, Brian will refer those people to advisors who would be a better fit.
Advice only, and only when needed:
✔️ No pitches to manage money
✔️ No financial product offers
✔️ No long-term commitments
Education
University of Chicago, Master's, Financial Mathematics | Augustana College, BA, Mathematics, Economics, Finance
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
- Football
- Golf
- Running
- Sports
- Traveling
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Baby Boomers
- Business Owners
- Corporate Executives
- DIY Investors
- Dual Income Family
- Entrepreneurs
- Families
- Gen X
- Gen Y / Millennials
- Intergenerational Families
- Investors
- Living in Retirement
- Parents
- Young Families
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