Mark Kelly, CFP®
Financial Planning That Fits Your Life | Fiduciary | 100% Virtual
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Serving Clients Nationwide
Financial Planning That Fits Your Life | Fiduciary | 100% Virtual
Areas of Focus
- Budgeting
- Cash Flow
- Coaching
- Education Funding
- Estate Planning
- Investment Management
- Retirement Income Planning
- Social Security Optimization
- Tax-Efficient Planning
About Mark Kelly, CFP®
Hi, I'm Mark Kelly. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Ramsey Master Financial Coach, I founded University Financial Strategies to help families in the Raleigh-Durham area and beyond achieve true financial peace—all through convenient virtual meetings.I believe that with the right plan, the right coaching, and the right mindset, anyone can take control of their money and build the life they've always dreamed of. Financial peace isn't just for the wealthy—it's for everyone willing to follow a clear path.
My approach combines comprehensive financial planning with behavioral coaching.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional and Ramsey Master Financial Coach, I bring two distinct skill sets to every client relationship. My CFP® certification background covers rigorous investment planning, tax strategy, and retirement management—while my Ramsey Master Financial Coach certification equips me to guide clients through Dave Ramsey's 7 Baby Steps, from paying off debt and building an emergency fund to investing with purpose. Most advisors offer one or the other. I offer both.
With experience serving clients since 1992, I've seen markets rise and fall, tax laws change, and countless families achieve their financial goals. That experience informs every recommendation I make.
Rooted in the Community
As a North Carolina resident and active member of the Wakefield Rotary Club of Wake Forest community, I understand the local landscape and can provide insights tailored to your specific needs.
Professional Designations
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER ®
Affiliations
-
CFP Board
- Fee Only Network
- National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
- Ramsey Solutions Financial Coach
- XY Planning Network
- Fee Only Network
Primary Location
4801 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200-630, Raleigh, NC 27612
Video
Meeting Options
- Video Conference
- In-Person
- Phone
Compensation Methods
- Fee Only
- Percentage of Assets Managed
What to expect in the first meeting
Our first meeting is a free, 30-minute Discovery Call with no obligation. We start with a conversation, not a sales pitch. You share what's on your mind — the decisions you're stuck on, whether your investments are working as hard as they should, and what you want retirement to actually look like.I explain how I work and what working together looks like in practice, and by the end we'll both know whether this is the right fit. I look forward to speaking with you.
Offers Investment Management
Yes
About University Financial Strategies
University Financial Strategies is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm founded by Mark Kelly, serving families in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, and the Research Triangle area, as well as virtually nationwide.We help families achieve financial peace through Tax Planning, Investment Management, Cash Flow Planning, and Guided Estate Planning using proven, systematic approaches.
Who We Serve
Our best-fit clients are generally families and individuals in or approaching retirement who have meaningful assets and feel they are not getting the personalized, tax-aware guidance they need from their current broker or a big-box firm.
Our Services
Our services cover investment strategies, cash flow management, guided estate planning, and tax planning. We also offer financial coaching and 401(k)/403(b) plan management, bringing a comprehensive approach to taxes, investments, cash flow, and estate planning into one coordinated strategy.
Our Philosophy
As a fee-only advisor, we're paid only by clients — never through commissions, referral fees, or product sales. We never accept commissions, kickbacks, "load" fees, or referral bonuses from insurance companies or fund providers. Fees are based on the scope of services and are discussed transparently on the Discovery Call.
Because money is 80% behavior and 20% head knowledge, our approach combines behavior-based coaching with tax-optimized planning, delivered 100% virtually so you can work with us from wherever you are.
University Financial Strategies, LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser in the State of North Carolina, and investment advisory services are provided through University Financial Strategies, LLC.
Education
St. Bonaventure University, BBA, Marketing
Hobbies and Interests
- Family
SEC Lookup
View DisclosureWho We Serve
- Baby Boomers
- Business Owners
- Corporate Executives
- Dual Income Family
- Entrepreneurs
- Families
- Gen X
- Intergenerational Families
- Living in Retirement
- Parents
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