Our Founder
Annette Di Bello, CPA, CFP®
Annette, the firm's founder and CEO, brings over 30 years of cumulative accounting, tax, financial planning and investing experience and holds two of the top three coveted financial designations: CPA & CFP®.
Annette obtained her Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from California State University Fullerton. CSUF ranks #7 for the best accounting programs in all California Universities. This unique combination of education and expertise makes her an expert in the field, giving her a superior perspective in the financial industry to guide clients for effective tax efficiency and planning. With expertise in financial planning, tax planning and investment management. Creating an efficient coalition between all aspects of clients financial lives.
Annette must complete 170 hours of continuing education every two years. She attends the best financial conferences in order to obtain the most relevant and updated investment, tax and financial planning education available. Visit the About Us drop down menu for additional Bio information.
Fee Only vs. Fee Based
100% FIDUCIARY FEE ONLY
We are a 100% fiduciary adhering to the highest standard of a CPA. A fiduciary is someone who is legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest. Fiduciaries do not receive compensation from third parties, all of their compensation comes directly from clients. Not to be confused with a suitability standard, which is the standard fee based brokers adhere to. This suitability standard does not require the advisor to put the client's needs first but who's duty of loyalty is to the brokerage firm the advisor works for. Fee based brokers are compensated by third parties on mutual funds, annuities and other commissioned products. Furthermore, 85% of the 80,000 CFPs work for brokers and are therefore not a 100% fiduciary*. We are in the 15% of CFPs that are true fee only and therefore 100% fiduciary.
*CFP Board stats
NO COMMISSIONS
We do not receive any commissions. As a "Fee Only" Independent Registered Investment Advisor firm, all our compensation comes directly from the client. We have no affiliation with any broker, insurance, annuity or fund company. Not to be confused with "Fee Based" who may charge a fee on some accounts and receive commissions from brokers, fund and insurance companies on other accounts. As a fee only advisor, there are no hidden fees, no third party bonuses or compensation, no sales of any kind of any financial or insurance products. This allows us to be unbiased in selecting investments, thus creating high quality, low fee, conflict free and fully transparent portfolios.
NAPFA - The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, the leading fee only organization, named Annette in their Monthly Member Spotlight; October 2018. Congratulations Annette!
We are proud to announce that Annette has won the 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager Award! This prestigious award was given to only 8% of Orange County Financial Advisors considered. Congratulations Annette!
