Success Stories

Rave Reviews

John Palumbo, CPA made the decision to become licensed to offer financial services nearly 10 years ago. He learned of a Broker/Dealer through their association with a software program he was using and began his practice with them. Through the years, John's Broker/Dealer was acquired by several different companies. Under the new management, more and more emphasis was put on getting the financial services representatives involved in insurance products. “I'm a CPA who is licensed to offer financial services. I'm not in the insurance business and I don't want to be,” explains John. Although apprehensive about the paperwork and time that a transition to a new Broker/Dealer might take, John knew it was time to make a move.

John made the decision to join The Professional Alliance and their independent Broker Dealer, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. (Member FINRA/SIPC). “With TPA, the transition process was far easier than I thought. Shelly went above and beyond and the way she guided me through the process was a big plus.”

Once with The Professional Alliance, John found that Doug and Shelly offered outstanding support and assistance with every aspect of the administration of financial services. “From a CPA's perspective, the administration and practice of each profession differs greatly and one who is established and busy with the day to day operations of an accounting practice simply does not have the time to devote, or the staff to delegate, towards sorting through all that is required to operate a successful and efficient financial services business. Clients in either business expect and deserve excellence in the handling of their financial and tax matters and to obtain excellence in both areas without experienced guidance is a greater task than one individual should undertake. With The Professional Alliance, I get the instruction and guidance that makes me confident that I can be successful at the level of my choice in regards to the rendering of financial services and that my clients are receiving the best.”

In addition, John likes that TPA is familiar with the needs of tax professionals and does not set excessive production requirements or demanding revenue timetables, nor do they pressure reps to push insurance offerings and other products. “The Professional Alliance and Cambridge also introduced me to managed services through which I can offer the best portfolio options for my clients.”

John's enthusiasm for The Professional Alliance is something that he is more than willing to share with other CPAs considering starting a financial services practice or transitioning an existing one to a new Broker/Dealer.“ TPA's exceptional hands-on support for new financial services reps and those transitioning, coupled with reasonable production demands allows potential TPA members who might have reservations as to the probability of success to more seriously consider and attempt to start or build their financial services practice.”

John Palumbo, CPA
Cranston, RI