Ross Levin, CFP®, named the 2023 P. Kemp Fain, Jr., Award Winner.
DENVER (June 27, 2023) — The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®), the leading membership organization and trade association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals, is pleased to announce Ross Levin, CFP®, as the recipient of the Association’s and profession’s highest individual award – the 2023 P. Kemp Fain, Jr., Award.
In honor of the late P. Kemp Fain, Jr., CFP®, 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 to an individual who has realized outstanding achievements in service to society, academia, government, and professional activities.
“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 Levin, CFP®, is the founder of Accredited Investors Wealth Management, a Minneapolis-based fee-only financial planning firm. A recognized leader of the International Association for Financial Planning (IAFP), one of FPA’s predecessor organizations, Ross began his volunteer leadership in 1986 as president of the local IAFP chapter board. He became president of IAFP’s Midwest Chapter in 1987. He was elected to the IAFP Board of Directors in 1988, where he eventually 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.
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 was named by Financial Planning magazine as one of the five most influential people in financial planning and received their first lifetime achievement award. Investment Advisor magazine named him one of the thirty most influential individuals in the profession over the last thirty years. Minnesota Business Magazine selected him for “The (Real) Power 50 Award.” Ross has also been named one of the top financial planners nationally by Barron’s, Money, Worth, Mutual Funds Magazine, and Medical Economics.
Always eager to share his knowledge and insights, Ross is a sought-after speaker on financial matters, a regular columnist for the Star Tribune, and has appeared in numerous publications and programs, including The Wall Street Journal, Business Week, Fortune, The New York Times, Newsweek, Barron’s, Money, NBC Nightly News, Oprah, and CBS This Morning.
A passionate advocate for pro bono financial planning, Ross started the “Be Our Guest Program” for the Foundation for Financial Planning in 2006 as an opportunity for financial planning professionals to spend time with—and learn directly from—the profession's leaders on various topics. The program led to significant fundraising that supported the Foundation’s programs.
Ross received a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional. He served on the Board of Governors for the CFP Board of Standards and is past chair of the University of Minnesota Foundation.
“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 the P. Kemp Fain, Jr., 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®.
Levin will be recognized at FPA Annual Conference 2023 in Phoenix, Ariz., from Sept. 27-29, 2023.
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About the Financial Planning Association
The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the leading membership organization and trade association for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professionals and those engaged in the financial planning process. FPA is the CFP® professional’s partner in planning by helping them realize their vision of professional fulfillment through practice support, learning, advocacy, and networking. Learn more about FPA at financialplanningassociation.org and on Twitter at twitter.com/fpassociation.