From our CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ to our dedicated marketing and administration staff, we strive to provide our clients with our best wealth management experience.
Canter Wealth was born out of the need for integration within the wealth management industry. Your financial story has many moving parts, what matters most is that they all work together on the same mission: to help you achieve your life goals.
Investments create taxes, assets lead to estate plans, and real estate influences all of the above. The question we ask is, shouldnt all the aspects of someones financial health be integrated?
The outcome of our approach is clear integrated efficiencies can lead to lower investment costs, reduced tax burdens, and increased peace of mind.
Michael Bernier
CFP
With over fifteen years of experience in the wealth management industry, Mike Bernier presently serves as a Senior Financial Advisor for Canter Wealth, where he helps clients achieve their goals using prudent financial planning. Prior to joining Canter Wealth, Mike was a Senior Advisor at one of the fastest-growing financial planning firms in the country, managing over $200 million in client assets.* His experience in personal finance enables him to develop strategic approaches in the areas of tax strategy, investment management, retirement, and estate planning.
Mike graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Diego State University s College of Business Administration with a major in Financial Services. Based on his achievement in the program, Mike was recognized by Beta Gamma Sigma, The International Honor Society for Business Excellence. Following his lifelong passion for knowledge, Mike chose to pursue and complete all the requirements necessary to become a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner.
Mike teaches retirement adult education courses at colleges across San Diego. He has been featured on CBS, KFMB, KRLA and was previously a co-host on a local financial radio show for many years.
During his free time, Mike is an active member of the Aztec Athletic Foundation and enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole, and three children, Grant, Wesley, and Charlotte.
*RIA Survey & Ranking 2018, Financial Advisor Magazine, July 2018
Babak Gahvari
CFP, AIF
Babak (Bobby) Gahvari brings over ten years of wealth management expertise to the Canter team. Prior to joining Canter Strategic Wealth Management, Babak worked for Dimensional Fund Advisors, one of the largest asset managers in the world.1 Babak has an extensive background in capital market research, regression analysis, and multi-factor based portfolio theory. In his role at Dimensional, Babak spent his time consulting with investment advisors in the Northeast, overseeing nearly $4BB in client assets. Babak also spent nearly 4 years as a Director for one of the fastest growing financial planning firms in the country. During his tenure as a financial planner, Babak collaborated with individual clients on comprehensive retirement planning, with a focus on tax mitigation strategies and portfolio construction. Babak is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM as well as an Accredited Investment Fiduciary.
Babak graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Political Science. He graduated cum laude in addition to Departmental Honors for his senior thesis. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, playing soccer, and is an avid fan of art, architecture, and cosmology.
1 Pensions & Investments. "The world's largest money managers"
Joseph Kalmanovitz
CFP
Joe Kalmanovitz, Head of Financial Planning for Canter Wealth, is a 17-year veteran of the wealth management industry. Joe utilizes his experience to deliver innovative financial planning solutions with the aim to help clients minimize tax liability, reduce portfolio risk, and effectively achieve their life goals.
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER, Joe leverages Canter Wealth's unique integrated approach to develop customized, comprehensive planning solutions to address various aspects of a client's financial picture.
Joe graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Business Economics with an Emphasis in Accounting. Outside of the office, Joe enjoys spending time with his wife, twin daughters, and son exploring all the outdoor activities, restaurants, and attractions San Diego has to offer.
Michael Canzone
CFP
Michael Canzone is a Wealth Manager for Canter Wealth. With over 18 years of experience, Michael brings extensive knowledge to providing customized financial planning for families, corporations, and charitable organizations.
Michael began his investment career with Prudential Securities in 1999. In 2005, he joined Fidelity Investments and became Vice President of their Private Client Group through 2011. At that time, Michael transitioned to building his own successful financial planning franchise through Ameriprise Financial. In 2018 Michael joined Canter Wealth.
Michael prides himself on building lasting relationships with clients where he can provide quality, long-term advice and a space for open communication.
He graduated from San Diego State University in 1997 earning BS degree in Political Science. In May 2003, Michael obtained his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER certification.
When away from the office, Michael enjoys reading, surfing, and spending time with his family.
Jim Mellon
CFP
Jim joins Canter Wealth as a Wealth Advisor and acts as a fiduciary focused on helping clients accomplish their financial goals.
Prior to joining Canter, Jim worked at three leading financial service firms and advised a wide range of clients including high net worth families and public employees in the Boston school districts. During his time with these firms, Jim became increasingly frustrated by the proprietary solutions and lack of customization at his prior firms. These collective experiences give Jim a unique perspective to help Canter clients going forward.
Jim graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance. In his free time, he enjoys travel and now lives in San Diego.
Min Jo
Min Jo, Operations Manager for Canter Wealth, is a veteran in the financial and real estate industry, bringing over twenty years of experience to the team. Min goes above and beyond to create a positive experience for clients and supports advisors with all operational tasks, including account openings, rollovers, money transfers, investment funding, and tax reporting.
Min attended Loyola University in Maryland, where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Business and Marketing. Prior to joining Canter Wealth, she worked as a Financial Analyst and as a Real Estate Agent. Her financial and real estate background, combined with her keen organizational and interpersonal skills, make her a valuable asset to our firm.
Min is a lifelong learner who is continually seeking new ways to serve our clients better and add value to their lives. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.
General Information |
Firm Start Year: | 2007 | |
Name of Broker/Dealer: | TD Ameritrade |
States Licensed in: | CA |
Number of Years with Current Firm: | 2 |
Advisory Services Provided: | Financial Planning for Individuals, Financial Planning for Businesses, Tax Advice and Services, Education Funding and Planning, Risk Management, Money Management, Wealth Management, 401K Rollovers, Retirement Planning, Portfolio Management, Financial Planning, Investment Advice & Management, Financial Advice & Consulting, Estate Planning & Trusts |
Services |
Investment Types: | Bonds, Mutual Funds, Stocks, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Alternative Investments, Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) |
Can meet clients in the following ways: | Video Conference, Via Email, Our Office, Via Phone, Our Offices |
Firm Information |
Firm's Number of Clients: | 174 |
Firm's Number of Planning Clients: | 174 |
Firm's Number of Managed Clients: | 170 |
Assets Managed by Firm: | 168,118,467 |
Advisor's Number of Clients: | 92 |
Advisor's Number of Managed Clients: | 92 |
Advisor's Number of Planning Clients: | 92 |
Assets Managed by Advisor: | $100,000,000 |
Compensation and Fees |
Fee Structure: | Fee-Only |
Minimum Portfolio Size for New Managed Accounts: | $250,000 |
Compensation Methods: | Based on Assets, Flat Fee |
Fee % Based on Assets: | 0.45 - 1% |
Additional Details on Charges: | The fee is based on assets under management. |
Minimum Fee Charged for Managed Accounts: | 0.45% |
Minimum Fee Charged for Hourly Planning Accounts: | 0.45% |
Education |
Bachelor of Science - Financial Services |
San Diego State University - San Diego
10/1/2000-06/01/2004 |
Financial Services |
Financial Planning for Individuals- Retirement planning - Tax planning - Investment management - Real estate - Risk management - Asset protection - Estate planning |
Financial Advice & Consulting- Retirement planning - Tax planning - Investment management - Real estate - Risk management - Asset protection - Estate planning - Business planning |
Portfolio Management- Asset management - Asset location - Tax diversification - Tax loss harvesting - Rebalancing |
Retirement Planning- Social Security strategy - Tax-efficient asset distribution - RMD planning - Pension payout plans - Goal planning |
Insurance PlanningAdvisors will work with a network of insurance professionals and recommend an adequate amount of insurance coverage and long-term care. |
Estate Planning & TrustsAdvisors work with trusted estate planning attorneys to help with your trust and get your estate is in order |
Tax Advice and ServicesForward-looking tax planning strategies to reduce your taxes now and in the future. We utilize tax-loss harvesting, asset location, charitable gifting, and other strategies to help reduce your tax liability. |
Education Funding and PlanningStrategic goal planning and education funding advice using the appropriate accounts for your situation. |
Faqs |
Why should I choose you as my financial advisor?All advisors are CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER" practitioners. This certification is the standard of excellence in financial planning. CFP® professionals meet rigorous education, training and ethical standards, and are committed to serving their clients' best interests today to prepare them for a more secure tomorrow. |
What are your qualifications? What is your education background?We offer a holistic approach to financial planning and cover areas including but not limited to your retirement, tax strategy, investing, risk management, insurance guidance, estate planning, goal planning, college funding, and business planning. |
How are you compensated? How will I pay for your services?The financial services industry is plagued with conflicts of interest. How an advisor is compensated is at the top of the list. We don't sell products or accept any commissions. We are fee-ony, meaning we charge a flat fee for asset management services. |
What services do you offer?Retirement planning - 401(k) rollovers - Roth IRA conversions - Tax-efficient retirement income strategy - Social Security strategy - Pension payout planning Tax Planning - Charitable gifting - Tax-efficient asset location - Charitable Remainder Trust - 1031 exchange advice - Reducing capital gains tax - HSA, FSA Investment management - Portfolio construction - Asset allocation - Rebalancing - Tax-loss harvesting - Risk control - Risk management Asset protection - insurance optimization Healthcare planning - Medicare - Long-term care advice - Budgeting for healthcare costs - Bridging the gap to Medicare Estate planning - Wills vs trusts - Legacy planning - Estate tax Saving - Goal planning - Cash flow - College funding Business planning - 401(k) management - Tax strategy Real estate |
Disclaimer |
Canter Strategic Wealth Management, LLC d/b/a Canter Wealth (the Registered Investment Adviser), and Canter Real Estate Group, Canter Development, and Canter Capital are affiliated companies. Persons engaging the services of one affiliate of the Canter Companies should be aware each of the companies is operated separately. Engaging the services of one entity does not entitle any client to the rights and protections of another entity, some of whom are regulated entities subject to different regulatory regimes. Clients should be aware that services provided by one regulated entity will only be provided concerning that entity and are not for services provided by another Canter Company. The protections afforded when doing business with one entity may not necessarily exist when doing business with another affiliated entity |
Registered Investment Advisor:
Yes
Registered Representative:
Yes
Investment Advisor Representative:
Yes
Acknowledged fiduciary:
Yes
Compliance Disclosures in Last 5 years:
Have a clean record
Criminal Disclosures in Last 5 years:
Have a clean record
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Mon. | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
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Tue. | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
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Wed. | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
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Thu. | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
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Fri. | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
United States |
How Retirement Edu Can Make All the Difference
When: 10/20/2020
Details:Canter Wealth, a boutique investment management and financial planning firm
located in San Diego, California, uses comprehensive advice and an integrated
approach to help clients all over the nation prepare for a brighter financial
future.
...more
Top Financial Advisors in La Jolla, CA
When: 06/09/2020
Details:Canter Wealth is ranked in the top 9 financial advisors in La Jolla, CA by SmartAsset. SmartAsset limited its list to firms registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in La Jolla, California. We only considered SEC-registered companies because such companies have a fiduciary duty to act in their clients best interests. Next, we removed any firms that have disclosures, lack financial planning services or do not manage individual accounts. The top firms to meet these criteria are listed here, ordered by assets under management (AUM).
...more
Meet The Canter Companies CEO Pioneering A New Fin
When: 09/26/2017
Details:Standing at the forefront of a new field of wealth management, known as Integrated Asset Management, Canter Companies' employees come from diverse financial services backgrounds and infuse traditional wealth management practices with a deep and proven understanding of the real estate market.
...more
Why Combining Real Estate Expertise With Financial
When: 11/19/2016
Details:There is a substantial sector of the market that needs both a financial planner and a real estate consultant to help them manage their assets. Getting two different advisors to agree on how money should be appropriated, which risks to take, and how to achieve the same financial goal is unrealistic. And yet the nuances of managing real estate assets and traditional financial investments demands that anyone with such a diversified portfolio needs both kinds of advisors.
That is, until now. IAM is following the tradition of many industries before it.
...more
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