Around East Cobb
No one is immune to dreams. What's yours? If you have children, do you dream about sending them to college? Do you want to retire without worry and do everything you've been waiting to do your entire working life? Do you struggle with your taxes every year and feel you either pay too much or receive too little back? Everyone has dreams, and everyone needs help achieving those dreams. No matter what your financial goals and needs may be, the ideal situation is to have all of those needs addressed, nurtured and achieved by one diversified, highly skilled company capable of handling your entire gamut of financial needs. Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning is that company, providing holistic and complete financial services for a variety of clients and needs.
Beyond Ordinary
At the helm of Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning is Don Akridge, who started the firm in 1994. Don is a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran. His skill set is solid and diversified. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), as well as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM. He holds the distinction of being a Family Wealth Counselor in Advanced Estate Planning Strategies, and he holds Securities licenses 7 and 66 as well as multiple insurance licenses.
With his MBA, CPA and CFP® resources, Don is dedicated to the success of individuals and businesses through advanced solutions.
Don's education pedigree and collection of awards and honors certainly are impressive; he received his Bachelors of Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University and his Masters of Business Administration from Emory University. He received national awards in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 for high accomplishments in client financial planning services. He was recognized in Global Horizons magazine in April, 2005 and June 2006, and just this year, he was recognized for achievements and contributions in Emory University magazine.
Don prides himself on providing top tier, integrated skills set which are adaptable to most any client need. He operates on an "inquiry driven" philosophy. Don and his staff take the time to get to know each and every client and what his/her needs are. A personalized and appropriate plan is then designed with the clients' goals and needs incorporated. "We are a traditional CPA firm plus a comprehensive financial services company with substantially above the ordinary credentials incorporated into one client-focused professional practice," noted Don.
Looking Out For You
For seven years, Don diligently worked at getting a bill passed that would protect not only his clients' retirement assets, but also the retirement assets of all Georgians. When Roth IRAs were initially created in 1997, they did not qualify for the same type of exemptions as traditional IRAs as outlined in the 1974's ERISA Act. However, states had the option of creating parallel legislation that would provide Roth IRAs with the same creditor protection that many types of IRAs enjoyed. Georgia had not acted on this possibility which left every individual with a Roth IRA in Georgia without any creditor protection.
Because of this lack of legislation, Don looked out for the best interest of his clients and advised them against Roth IRAs due their lack of creditor protection, and he steered them toward other retirement options that provided ERISA protection.
But Don decided to take the extra step for his clients and the citizens of Georgia. By working with State Representative Bobby Franklin, legislation was drafted and passed the House and Senate in 1999, extending creditor protection to Roth IRAs, only to be vetoed by then Governor Roy Barnes. Don didn't give up however and in 2006, Governor Sonny Perdue signed the legislation into law, as seen on the cover. This law has made a difference in the lives of many Georgians.
Abounding Accolades
Don and Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning credentials certainly are impressive; the education, the awards, the skill set and the individualized customer service are hard to surpass. But what do those who have worked along side Don as clients and fellow business associates say about him?
Plenty.
Kevin Engle has utilized Don's expertise since the inception of his now, very successful company. Kevin recalled,
"Don was originally introduced to me by a family member when we were starting up our company in 1997. He assisted us with everything from the initial start up phase until now when he provides a whole suite of services including tax planning, auditing, guidance around general accounting issues and working with our controller, etc.
Don was very attentive to our needs from day one and treated us as a successful venture prior to knowing whether we would, in fact, be a successful business. We grew from $800K in revenue in 1997 to a projected $27M this year, and Don has been with us throughout.
Don is very knowledgeable, and we have relied on his advice to manage the accounting minefields faced by a growing business. Most importantly, we respect Don for his ethical approach to how he governs himself and his advice to clients."
Kevin is one of many clients Don is happy to refer to as satisfied. But it's not only clients who sing high praises of Don and Citadel CPA. Tony Batman, who is Chairman and CEO of 1st Global Advisors, which serves as a business development partner to leading wealth management firms, including Citadel, has worked with Don and Don's clients for many years. Of working with Don, Tony said,
"Don is an exceptional wealth manager and financial advisor to many lucky families and businesses that have the good fortune to obtain his advice and counsel. His energetic advocacy for his clients' wishes, his incredible technical abilities and his exceptionally high ethics about doing what is right and good for his clients is why Don is so successful. He does not compromise on anything and that is a rare virtue in American business. I am very fortunate to know him and am a better person because of it."
Tony is widely respected in the industry, and in 2005 and 2006, he was named one of the most influential people in the financial services industry by Investment Advisor magazine.
When Don describes Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning as "holistic," he uses it in the context of the firm offering a comprehensive approach to wealth management. "We offer all the traditional CPA firm services while incorporating the broader aspects of financial planning and wealth management. We handle it all, in house, with advanced skill sets," he noted.
Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning can benefit individuals as well as small to medium sized businesses. Whether your needs are traditional CPA services, financial planning, investment advisory services, etc., Citadel has the skills, experience and knowledge to get you where you want to be. They are beyond ordinary!
Don Akridge is President of Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning founded in 1994 and conveniently located off Chastain Road between I-575 & I-75 in Kennesaw, GA. He is a MBA - Emory University, CPA,CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Phone 770-952-6707.
Securities offered through 1st Global Capital Corp. Member FINRA, SIPC. Citadel CPA Services and Financial Planning, a Registered Investment Adviser, is not affiliated with 1st Global.