What We Do and How

What services does Schmerling Financial Group offer?

We provide values-based, holistic financial planning that connects every piece of your financial picture. Our work spans retirement, investments, tax strategy, and the actual preparation of returns, estate, insurance, education funding, business succession, and equity compensation. Because our team includes both financial professionals and CPAs, your plan and your tax strategy are built together — not in separate offices. 

What makes your approach different?

Two things: taxes and values. Tax-intelligent planning is our superpower — every recommendation we make is viewed through a tax lens, which is where many plans quietly lose money. With CPAs on our team, that tax lens comes from professional training and experience, not a checklist.

Just as importantly, we start with your values and priorities, not a product. Our goal is a plan that supports a life full of purpose, whatever that looks like for you.

How do taxes fit into my financial plan?

They're woven through all of it. Because we prepare taxes and build financial plans under one roof, we can spot opportunities most advisors never see: coordinating retirement withdrawals, Roth Conversions, charitable giving, equity compensation, and estate decisions so your strategy is tax-intelligent from end to end, not just at filing time.

What is Legacy 120™?

Legacy 120™ is our signature approach to holistic planning — where time becomes legacy. Rooted in the Jewish tradition that 120 years represents a life well lived, it weaves the people, traditions, and values you care about into your financial plan across four pillars: tax management, estate planning, investments, and risk management. It's designed to help you build wealth with intention, protect what you've built with care, and pass down what truly matters. We use a framework called Investing through the Hourglass℠ to maximize your resources for your Legacy 120™ plan.

Is It a Fit?

Who do you typically work with?

We serve individuals and families at every stage of the journey: professionals in their building years who want one team coordinating their investments, taxes, and equity compensation; people approaching or enjoying retirement who want confident answers about spending, income, and big decisions; and high-net-worth families and business owners who need advanced estate, tax, and transition strategies.

Do I need a certain amount of money to work with you?

There's no single number that defines a good fit. We work with clients across a wide range of financial situations, and the best way to find out whether we're the right team for you is a conversation. If we're not the right fit, we'll say so, and point you toward resources that can help.

Trust and Transparency

What does it mean to be an independent advisor?

Being independent means we work for you, not for a bank, insurance company, or fund family. We aren't required to sell proprietary products or meet sales quotas, so we're free to recommend the strategies and solutions we believe fit your goals best.

It also means we own and run our practice ourselves. That gives us the freedom to shape our team, our services, and your experience around the people we serve, rather than around a corporate playbook.

And while we're independent, we're never alone: our partnership with Cetera Financial Group gives your accounts the security, technology, and research resources of a national firm.

Are you a fiduciary?

Yes. When we provide financial planning and investment advisory services, we act as a fiduciary, which means we're legally required to put your best interests ahead of our own. In practice, that means recommending what we believe is right for you, being upfront about any conflicts of interest, and explaining how we're paid.

How are you compensated?

We're a fee-based firm, which means our financial planning and investment advisory services are provided for a transparent fee — you pay us directly for advice, not for selling you products.

Because we can also help you implement solutions like insurance, annuities, and certain other investments, we may receive commissions if you choose to put those in place through us, and we'll always tell you when that's the case. Either way, we believe you should understand exactly how your advisor is paid, so we'll walk you through our compensation clearly and in plain language during your first conversation, before you make any commitment.

Who is Cetera Financial Group, and how do you work with them?

Cetera Financial Group is one of the largest networks of independent financial professionals in the United States. We partner with Cetera to support the work we do for you: securities are offered through Cetera Wealth Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, and advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC.

Behind the scenes, Cetera provides the account platforms, technology, research, and compliance oversight that help us implement your plan securely. You'll likely see their name on account paperwork and statements. Avantax, which previously supported our practice, is now part of Cetera. Your relationship, and your planning, stay with our team.

Getting Started

What happens at the first meeting?

We start with a real conversation, not a sales pitch. We'll talk about your goals, values, and what's keeping you up at night, and we'll answer your questions about how we work. There is no cost or pressure; it's simply a chance for both of us to see whether we're the right fit.

Where are you located? Can we meet virtually?

We have offices in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and Silver Spring, Maryland, and we're happy to meet in person at either location. We also meet with clients virtually.

How do I get started?

Getting started is as simple as reaching out. Call our main line at 215-517-7550 or email Recept@sfg-planner.com, and we'll schedule a complimentary, no-obligation conversation at a time that works for you.