CSA Financial Management, Inc.
Registered Investment Advisor
The Service You Want, The Answers You Need
Registered Investment Advisor
The Service You Want, The Answers You Need
With over 30 years of experience in financial services, we'll guide you in areas that include, but are not limited to:
As an independent financial services firm, we serve your interests, not ours. Commissions, transaction fees and referral fees are prohibited - allowing these could create a conflict of interest. We'll ask the questions, help you find the answers and put you in a position to make an informed decision.
Born in 1965, Dennis J. Grier attended Shippensburg University. In 1987 he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Upon graduating he went to work for Boles, Grove & Metzger, P.C., a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania based CPA firm. He began working as a staff accountant and in 1992 was promoted to supervisor. In 1992 he left Boles, Grove & Metzger, P.C. but continued to work in public accounting with Smoker, Smith & Associates, P.C. (1992-1994), Richard J. Huber, CPA (1995-1996) and Sheridan & Fritz, P.C. (1997).
While working in public accounting he was involved in; (i) bookkeeping services, (ii) business valuations, (iii) tax planning and preparation, (iv) business succession planning, (v) financial statement preparation and review, (vi) estate planning and (vii) accounting system design and implementation.
In 1998 he left public accounting to pursue his interest in financial planning and asset management while continuing to prepare tax returns on a limited basis. He became a shareholder and officer in the following organizations; (i) Professional Financial Advisors, Inc. (state registered investment advisor), (ii) Professional Tax Advisors, Inc. (tax services company), (iii) Professional Asset Management Advisors, Inc. (licensed insurance agency), (iv) PFA Professional Group, LLC, (expense administration company) and (v) PFA Security Asset Management, Inc., (FINRA registered broker-dealer).
On January 1, 2003, he surrendered his equity interest in the above-referenced companies to assume a management position with BGM Financial Associates, Ltd. In the summer of 2005, he assumed ownership of BGM Financial Associates by acquiring all outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock. He is the sole member of the investment and compliance committee and is responsible for all operational, compliance and regulatory issues. On November 1, 2006, BGM Financial Associates, Ltd. changed its name to CSA Financial Management, Inc.
In 1991 he successfully completed his certification as a CPA. Since becoming involved in financial planning, he successfully completed the following licensing examinations; (i) Pennsylvania Agents Life, Accident and Health Examination, (ii) Series 7 - General Securities Representative Examination, (iii) Series 26 - Investment Company Products/Variable Contracts Principal Examination, (iv) Series 28 - Introducing Broker/Dealer Financial and Operations Principal Examination, (v) Series 63 - Uniform Securities Agent State Law Examination and (vi) Series 66 - Uniform Combined State Law Examination.
In January 2012, after voluntarily placing his CPA license on “inactive” status, he added enrolled agent to his list of credentials. This grants him the “… privilege of practicing, that is, representing taxpayers, before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agents, like attorneys and certified public accountants (CPA’s), are unrestricted as to which taxpayers they can represent, what types of tax matters they can handle, and which IRS officials they can practice before.”
Form ADV Parts 2A and 2B
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of CSA Financial Management, Inc. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (717) 497-0181 or dennis@csafinancialmanagement.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority. Further, registration does not imply, and should not be interpreted as, attainment of any degree of skill, training or expertise.
Additional information about CSA Financial Management, Inc. is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. You can search this site by a unique identifying number known as a CRD number. Our CRD number is 123316.
Honestly? Limited resources does mean limited options. But these are important issues and it never hurts to have a conversation.
Start with cash. Accumulate at least six (preferably twelve) months of cash - enough to pay all your living expenses, i.e. housing, food, transportation, healthcare ... Keep the funds in a zero risk environment - segregating these funds would be ideal. You'll likely not earn anything on those funds, but that's not the point. The point is financial security\emergency.
Then begin contributing to a retirement and a non-retirement investment account. Retirement accounts are generally (but not always) available through your employer. At this point, seeking limited professional guidance would be prudent.
First understand - risk and return are, and will continue to be, inextricably linked. Also, investing is not for everyone but if you are invested, it's important to maintain the allocation that's most consistent with your personality and financial situation. If you have a long-term time horizon, be patient. If you have a short-term time horizon, be prudent.
Yes. Although we don't currently have an insurance license and don't sell any type of insurance product, our experience, including prior licensing, allows us to review existing policies and explore available options.
Annuities are insurance products that come in many, many shapes and sizes. They can be simple, they can be complex. They can be structured for short-term purposes or long-term goals. They're sold by individuals who are compensated via commissions (sometimes very high commissions) which can create a conflict of interest. Hidden costs, excessive costs, complex structure, limited investment opportunities, restricted or even no access to your funds, penalties via surrender charges ... are just some of the issues to be addressed. That said, annuities may be appropriate in limited (very limited) circumstances.
Do we sell annuities? No. But as with life insurance, our past experience and prior licensing allows us to review and discuss all aspects of annuities including costs, benefits and suitability.
According to a June 2, 2022 article by Arjun Kharpal and published on CNBC's website, "There are more than 19,000 cryptocurrencies in existence ...". Over any given period of time, some may appreciate in value while others will likely become worthless.
The original purpose of cryptocurrencies has evolved tremendously since the introduction of Bitcoin in 2009. How will the industry continue to evolve? Who will be the winners and losers? Is government going to regulate the industry? If yes, to what effect? How do you secure your investment in light of the ever increasing tsunami of hacks? This is a small sample the questions you need to address before venturing into this highly volatile and purely speculative environment.
As for us - we do not, and will not, recommend investing in such a speculative area. For those who choose to? Caveat emptor!
Reach out with any question or to request a meeting to
discover the your best path forward!
By appointment