Compass

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Client assets under management

$47,700,000

Clients

20% high-net worth

Advisors

of 5 employees

Firm type

Supported

1-3 advisors or $200M+ in AUM

Clients per advisor

Very Low

Average account size

$883,333

About

Comprehensive Planning Associates provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts/estates, supplemented by ongoing consulting. The firm also offers annuities and other insurance products and performs tax preparation as part of its service mix.

Investment programs are implemented under a documented investment policy or risk-tolerance framework, with quarterly account reviews and financial plans typically delivered within 90 days of engagement. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction and also runs public seminars and workshops on investments and its services.

Notably, the firm’s advisers engage in multiple licensed activities beyond advisory work: they are registered representatives of a broker‑dealer, licensed insurance agents, and provide tax-preparation services (including an Enrolled Agent), and they disclose commission-based product sales where applicable. These combined roles and the firm’s use of free educational seminars are uncommon among peers; the brochure describes disclosures, procedures, and fiduciary commitments intended to mitigate resulting conflicts of interest.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Educational seminars or workshops

Expertise

Annuities General tax planning Active portfolio management Stock option exercise strategy

Fee options

Fixed

Financial planning services offered at fixed fees ranging from $1,000 to $10,000

Percentage

$0 - $500,000: 1.95% annually $500,001 - $1,000,000: 1.5% annually $1,000,001 - $2,000,000: 1.00% annually $2,000,001 - $5,000,000: 0.75% annually $5,000,001+: 0.50% annually

Commissions

Separate commissions for insurance and securities products sold by representatives

Project-based

Financial planning services offered at $250 per hour

Other

Fee-only: Hourly fees at $250 per hour; Fixed fees between $1,000 and $10,000 for financial planning

Main office location

Compass

33 Miller Street

Fairfield CT 06824, United States

Number of offices

Most active in

Connecticut · Florida · New York

Disclosures

Business activities & affiliations

Is active or affiliated with:

Insurance agent

They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.

Broker-dealer / trader

They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.

Accountant / CPA / tax prep

They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.

Is not active or affiliated with:

Bank

They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.

Trust company

They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.

Fund sponsor

They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.

Lawyer

They provide legal services, typically billed separately.

Real estate agent

They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.

Other specialized services

They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.

Forms ADV

Form ADV Part 2: Client Brochure

Quick links

Facebook Website 203-454-5970

Advisors at this firm

Gretchen B

CFP®, Series 66

Fairfield, CT

Compass

Gretchen Brunner is a CFP® with 19 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Compass. She has held roles at M & G Brunner LLC and Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd. since 2011 or earlier. Outside of advisory work, she manages office operations and provides tax preparation and insurance services through Comprehensive Planning Associates. Comprehensive Planning Associates offers discretionary portfolio management, financial and tax planning, and insurance products to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts or estates. The firm uses a documented investment policy framework and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction, supplemented by educational seminars and ongoing consulting.

Annuities General tax planning Active portfolio management Stock option exercise strategy

Michael B

Series 65

Fairfield, CT

Compass

Michael Baran is a financial advisor at Compass with a Series 65 designation and two years of industry experience. He has worked at Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd. since 2022 and previously held roles at People's United Bank and Fox Pest Control. Baran is also licensed as an insurance agent through Comprehensive Planning Associates. Comprehensive Planning Associates provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts/estates. The firm integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction and offers ongoing consulting, annuities, insurance products, and tax preparation, supported by educational seminars and a multi-licensed advisory team.

Annuities General tax planning Active portfolio management Stock option exercise strategy

Matthew B

Series 63, Series 65

Fairfield, CT

Compass

Matthew Brunner is a financial advisor at Compass with 13 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and has been involved with Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd. since 2011. Outside of his advisory work, he co-hosted "Fishing with Matt and Josh" from 2007 to 2023. Comprehensive Planning Associates provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts/estates. The firm employs a documented investment policy framework and uses fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction, supplemented by educational seminars and ongoing consulting.

Annuities General tax planning Active portfolio management Stock option exercise strategy

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