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Common Cents Planning

Updated today

Client assets under management

$497,364,264

Clients

452

32% high-net worth

Advisors

5

of 8 employees

Firm type

Team

4-10 advisors or $500M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

90

High

Average account size

$1,100,363

About

Common Cents Planning advises individual and high‑net‑worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning, including retirement plan/IRA advice and written financial plans. The firm manages roughly $542 million for about 450 clients and provides both discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio supervision with periodic client reporting.

The firm’s investment process emphasizes client‑specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to construct tailored portfolios, with routine reviews and custodial reporting through major service providers. Common Cents Planning discloses that certain recommendations — for example IRA rollovers and use of third‑party managers or product sponsors — can create conflicts of interest tied to its service relationships and compensation arrangements.

What distinguishes the firm from many peers is its operational alignment with Commonwealth (and the related transition following Commonwealth’s acquisition by LPL), which provides platform, billing, and practice‑support services and has resulted in enhanced payouts, fee/administrative discounts, and advisor transition loans tied to continued affiliation. The firm also uses issuer‑provided valuations for certain alternative investments when calculating billable assets, and some advisors are licensed to sell insurance products that can be used to implement planning recommendations.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Pension consulting

Expertise

General retirement planning Income planning

Fee options

Fixed

0.65% for household assets between $5 million and $7 million; 0.55% for $7 million to $10 million; 0.45% for over $10 million; fees negotiable over $25 million

Percentage

$0 - $500,000: 1.00% annually $500,000 - $1,000,000: 0.85% annually $1,000,001+: 0.75% annually

Project-based

$250 per hour for financial planning services

Other

Account minimum: $500,000

Main office location

Common Cents Planning

239 Baltimore Pike

Glen Mills PA 19342-1127, United States

Number of offices

2

Most active in

Colorado · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Louisiana · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Texas · Virginia

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

user avatar

Victoria P

CFP®, Series 66

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Victoria Provost is a CFP® and holds a Series 66 license with five years of industry experience. She has worked at Planning Directions, Inc. dba Common Cents Planning and Commonwealth Financial Network since 2017. Outside of advisory work, she is involved in fixed insurance sales. Common Cents Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning, managing approximately $542 million across about 450 clients. The firm emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to build tailored portfolios, supported by ongoing reviews and reporting.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Matthew E

CFP®, Series 63

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Matthew Ellis is a CFP® with 17 years of experience in financial advising. He is currently with Common Cents Planning, where he serves as co-owner and president. His prior work includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network and Planning Directions, Inc., the predecessor to his current firm. Common Cents Planning advises individual and high-net-worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning. The firm manages approximately $542 million for around 450 clients, emphasizing client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios with ongoing review and reporting.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Kevin L

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

Kevin Lake is a CFP® professional with 12 years of industry experience, currently serving at Common Cents Planning. His work history includes roles at Commonwealth Financial Network, MML Investors Services, MassMutual Life Insurance, New York Life Securities, Cumby, Spencer & Associates Financial Group, and Lincoln Financial Group. Common Cents Planning advises individual and high-net-worth clients on investment management and comprehensive financial planning, managing approximately $542 million for around 450 clients. The firm emphasizes client-specific investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios, supported by routine reviews and custodial reporting.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

Frederick D

ChFC®, Series 63, Series 65

Naples, FL

Common Cents Planning

Frederick Dunbar is a financial advisor at Common Cents Planning in Naples, FL, holding the ChFC® designation along with Series 63 and Series 65 licenses. He has 44 years of industry experience, including long-term service with Planning Directions, Inc. and CommonWealth Financial Network. Dunbar also serves as an executor for a family estate. Common Cents Planning provides investment management and comprehensive financial planning services to individual and high-net-worth clients. The firm manages approximately $542 million for around 450 clients, emphasizing tailored portfolios based on client-specific investment policies and fundamental analysis.

General retirement planning Income planning
user avatar

William M

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Glen Mills, PA

Common Cents Planning

William Muller is a CFP® professional with over 31 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has been working with Commonwealth Financial Network and Planning Directions, Inc. dba Common Cents Planning since 2005. Muller is also a co-owner and CEO of Common Cents Planning, Inc. Common Cents Planning serves individual and high-net-worth clients by providing investment management and comprehensive financial planning services, including retirement plan and IRA advice. The firm manages approximately $542 million across 450 clients, emphasizing customized investment policy statements and fundamental analysis to create tailored portfolios.

General retirement planning Income planning
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