Ross Levin 2023 Recipient of The Financial Planning Association’s Highest Individual Honor – The P. Kemp Fain, Jr. Award
September 22, 2023
Accredited Investors Wealth Management® is proud to announce that Ross Levin, CFP® has been awarded the highest individual honor conferred by The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization for Certified Financial Planner™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process.
This pinnacle of recognition is bestowed on an individual who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the financial planning profession. The award is presented annually to one individual who has realized outstanding achievements in service to society, academia, government, and professional activities.
“The field of financial planning has been instrumental in my life. It has afforded me opportunities to serve our clients, my colleagues at work and the profession, and our larger community. While being recognized with this award is a highlight of my career, I share it with my family and all the people in our company with whom I work who have encouraged, supported, and valued my outside involvement,” says Ross Levin, CFP®.
Ross founded Accredited Investors Wealth Management in 1987 with the intent to provide objective advice to families with a desire to align wealth with their values. Over 35 years later, he and co-founder Wil Heupel celebrate a firm that has over 60 team members serving roughly 600 families, providing guidance to spend their lives wisely.
One of the financial planning profession’s preeminent thought-leaders, Ross has authored several books, including Implementing the Wealth Management Index: Tools to Build Your Practice and Measure Client Success, which expands upon his groundbreaking Wealth Management Index™ tool that provides a framework for financial planners to assess and manage their clients’ plans and goals. His most recent book, Spend Your Life Wisely®: The Deeper Meaning of Money, shares his humorous and thoughtful approach to life and money.
Ross began volunteering with one of FPA’s predecessor organizations, the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP), in 1986. He was elected to the IAFP Board of Directors in 1988 and served as chair of IAFP in 1995. In recognition of his efforts to support and advance the profession, Ross was the first recipient of FPA’s Heart of Financial Planning Award in 2006.
A University of Minnesota alumnus, Ross currently is a past Chair on the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Board of Trustees and continues his involvement on their Executive Committee. Ross also currently serves on the University of Minnesota Foundation Investment Advisors Board. Earlier in his career, he served on the Board of Governors for the CFP Board of Standards.
“The P. Kemp Fain, Jr. Award is named after one of the true pioneers of the financial planning profession who was selfless in his work to advance the profession while sharing his wisdom and innovative approaches to serving clients,” says 2023 FPA President James Lee, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®. “From his many books to his Wealth Management Index™, Ross has made countless contributions that have helped financial planners sharpen their skill sets and elevate their competencies. I look forward to celebrating Ross and his many professional achievements when we gather for FPA Annual Conference in Phoenix this September.”
Ross will be recognized at FPA Annual Conference 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona, from September 27-29, 2023.
The Heart of Financial Planning and P. Kemp Fain, Jr., awards were developed by the Financial Planning Association. Nominations were open through spring 2006 and 2023, respectively. Accredited paid no fee to participate.