Ellen Cotter

CFP®, EA, MBA

By Design Wealth Management

Owner

Contact Me

Ellen Cotter

CFP®, EA, MBA

By Design Wealth Management

Owner

As a fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice. I’m passionate about connecting the dots, helping you to achieve independence while ensuring that your financial, and life goals align. - Ellen Cotter, CFP®, EA, MBA

Contact Me

740-899-7353

Website

A Fiduciary, Fee-Only financial planner located in Steubenville, OH, serving clients virtually, both locally and across the country

Ellen Cotter is a Steubenville, OH fee-only financial planner. By Design Wealth Management provides comprehensive financial planning, retirement planning, tax planning, investment advice, and legacy planning to help clients organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions. As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Ellen Cotter is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.

Ellen Cotter is Owner and Fee-Only Financial Planner at By Design Wealth Management in Stuebenville, OH.

By Design Wealth Management is dedicated to helping people take control of their finances, build lasting wealth, and pursue the opportunity of financial independence.  I understand that finances can seem complicated at times and the coordination of all the moving parts, overwhelming, that’s where I come in. I’m passionate about connecting the dots, helping you to achieve independence while ensuring that your financial and life goals align. 

Our approach to wealth management is about much more than money. We all know money doesn’t buy happiness. What it does buy are Options. Choices. Freedoms. We view financial success not as its own goal, but as the means to pursue what is most meaningful to you. 

With every consultation, recommendation, and step in your plan, we work together to keep you on your chosen course, ensuring each aspect of your financial life is connected and working together smoothly: investments, income, insurance, and taxes.

Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.

Specialties

  • Comprehensive Financial Planning
  • Retirement Income Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Tax Planning

Ideal Clients

  • Retirees and Near Retirees
  • Growing Families
  • Business Owners and Executives
  • Novice Investors

Working Together

  • Virtual Meetings
  • Clearly Defined Fees
  • No Product Sales
  • Complimentary Initial Consultation

Professional Designations & Affiliations

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
    Ellen Cotter is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for Verification

    CFP® professionals are held to strict ethical standards to ensure financial planning recommendations are in your best interest. What’s more, a CFP® professional must acquire several years of experience related to delivering financial planning services to clients and pass the comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam before they can use the CFP® designation.

  • Enrolled Agent with the IRS (EA)
    Ellen Cotter is an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS

    An enrolled agent is a federally authorized tax practitioner empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential awarded by the IRS.

  • Garrett Planning Network - GPN
    Ellen Cotter is a member of the Garrett Planning Network. Click here to learn more.

    Everyone needs competent, objective financial advice from time to time. The Garrett Planning Network has a nationwide membership with hundreds of independent, Fee-Only financial planners providing advice to people from all walks of life, without minimum account requirements, sales commissions, or long-term commitments. Our members proudly embrace their fiduciary duty, always placing their clients' best interests first.

Contact Ellen Cotter

740-899-7353

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Office Locations:

  • 1816 Williams Pl
    Steubenville, OH 43952

By Design Wealth Management LLC is a state-registered investment adviser located in OH. By Design Wealth Management LLC and its representatives comply with the current registration requirements applicable in the state in which the firm maintains clients. By Design Wealth Management LLC may only transact business in those states in which it is registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements. For information about the registration status of By Design Wealth Management LLC, please contact our office at 740-899-7353 or your state’s securities law administrator. Although we may not currently be registered in your state, we may seek registration in your state if warranted.

 

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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An Enrolled Agent, EA, is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service by either passing a three-part comprehensive IRS test covering individual and business tax returns or through experience as a former IRS employee. Enrolled agent status is the highest credential the IRS awards. Individuals who obtain this elite status must adhere to ethical standards and complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years.

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