Cetera Financial Group
Who Is Cetera Financial Specialists?
Cetera Financial Specialists LLC is a national, full-service broker-dealer and part of Cetera Financial Group, one of the largest networks of independent financial professionals in the United States.
Cetera Financial Specialists specializes in supporting CPA-led and tax-centric advisory firms, providing the regulatory supervision, investment platform, and operational infrastructure needed to deliver comprehensive wealth management services to clients.
Cetera Financial Specialists is:
- A FINRA-registered broker-dealer and member of SIPC
- Registered to do business in all 50 states
- Affiliated with Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser
Our Relationship with Cetera Financial Specialists
Schoen Financial Advisors is independently owned and operated.
We are affiliated with Cetera Financial Specialists, so we can offer you investment and wealth management services within a well-established, highly regulated framework.
Think of Cetera Financial Specialists as the infrastructure behind the scenes - supporting our work, while allowing us to remain fully independent and client-focused.
This affiliation allows us to:
- Execute and supervise investment transactions
- Maintain compliance with securities regulations
- Access institutional-grade technology, research, and planning tools
- Provide custody and safekeeping of client assets through leading custodians
At the same time, all advice, planning, and recommendations come from Schoen Financial Advisors, guided by our fiduciary mindset and long-term client relationships.
Independence First — No Proprietary Pressure
A key benefit of working with Cetera Financial Specialists is independence.
Cetera does not require us to:
- Use proprietary investment products
- Meet sales quotas
- Recommend one investment approach over another
This structure ensures that your goals-not product incentives - drive every recommendation, while Cetera's national network of professionals and resources supports our ability to serve you
How Client Assets Are Protected
While Cetera Financial Specialists supervises and facilitates investment activity, client assets are held by independent custodians, not by Schoen Financial Advisors.
Depending on the type of account, assets may be custodied with:
- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
- Pershing (a BNY Mellon company)
- Cetera Investment Services LLC (for certain retirement accounts)
These custodians are responsible for.
- Safekeeping your assets
- Trade settlement
- Account recordkeeping
- Monthly statements
- Tax reporting and data security
An Extension of Our Team
We view Cetera Financial Specialists as an extension of Schoen Financial Advisors, not a separate
advisory voice.
Their role is to:
- Provide regulatory oversight
- Offer operational and technology support
- Assist with complex investment, legal, and tax-aware planning needs
- Help ensure we remain on the right side of evolving regulations
Our role is to:
- Know you
- Understand your tax and financial picture
- Coordinate planning across your CPA, investment, and advisory needs
- Advocate for your best interests
Together, this structure allows us to deliver coordinated, comprehensive financial guidance
without sacrificing independence or personal service.
What This Means for You
By working with Schoen Financial Advisors and Cetera Financial Specialists, you receive:
- Independent, client-first advice
- Institutional-grade investment infrastructure
- Strong regulatory oversight and asset protection
- A seamless blend of tax-aware planning and wealth management
Most importantly, you gain confidence knowing your advisory relationship is supported by both
deep personal expertise and national-level resources.
Cetera Financial Specialists LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Investment products are not FDIC insured, are not bank deposits, and may lose value.
Click the link below to learn more about how this powerful team helps us, help you.