Mark Kelly

CFP®

University Financial Strategies, LLC.

Investment Advisor CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Ramsey Master Financial Coach

Mark Kelly

CFP®

University Financial Strategies, LLC.

Investment Advisor CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Ramsey Master Financial Coach

Not every advisor is the same. As a Dave Ramsey Master Coach and fee-only financial planner, my focus is to offer unbiased financial advice to help you achieve your life goals. Don't settle for the cookie cutter approach which is focused on making money off you and not for you. We never get paid commissions or receive kickbacks as we believe this influence impacts whether you are provided the best advice for your needs. - Mark Kelly, CFP®

Fee-Only financial planner located in Raleigh, NC, serving clients locally and across the country

Mark Kelly is a Raleigh, NC fee-only financial planner.  As a Fee Only Raleigh Financial Planner, he helps College-Bound Families Choose Smart Options For College & Retirement.   Specializing in solving the balance of paying for your child's education and planning for the Retirement clients deserve.   College Funding Guidance for School Selection and Affordability, Retirement and Investment Management for your long term goals while utilizing the Ramsey 7 Baby Step Financial Coaching Process for a Peaceful Future. Mark is your guide to helping you make the most informed decisiosn for yourself.  University Financial Strategies, LLC. provides retirement management, Tax Planning and investment management to help clients organize, grow and protect their assets through life’s transitions.    University Financial Strategies specializes in helping college bound families become an educated consumer of a college education to increase affordability and balancing costs with other goals.   As a fee-only, fiduciary, and independent financial advisor, Mark Kelly is never paid a commission of any kind, and has a legal obligation to provide unbiased and trustworthy financial advice.  Click here to book your Complimentary Initial Consultation.

 

As a father of two daughters, Mark learned how complicated and emotional it is in helping choose and pay for a child’s education. Although, he had 25 plus years in Financial Services and a wife who worked in College Admissions, he came to a greater understanding of the impact sending your children has on your overall financial health.  Paying for College is one of the most expensive investments you can make.    Do you worry about it?   As a Dave Ramsey Master Financial Coach he has seen how nearly 80% of people in the country are living paycheck to paycheck. The 5th Baby Step in Dave Ramsey’s 7 Step Process is about paying for college. Most advisors typically think college planning is only  a savings issue with a 529 plan or similar as the method to accomplish your goal. Mark has learned it is about being intentional with your money and helps clients achieve a balance in paying for both college and retirement.

Mark completed his Personal Financial Planning coursework at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX and earned his Undergraduate degree in business from St. Bonaventure University in western New York.  As an avid supporter of Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps he also has completed the Ramsey Finacial Coach Master Training program.

Our mission is to help families think beyond just saving for college, but helping leverage strategies that leverage your unique situation to help you save ON college costs. We take into consideration topics like specialized college-planning strategies for business owners, planning for financial aid, school-specific scholarships, coordinating college planning with grandparents, cash-flow strategies and options for covering shortfalls, to name just a few.

Today, parents of college-bound children should be able to expect more than just simplistic, one-size-fits-all savings strategies from their financial advisor. With us, you can expect more and I’ll deliver more!

Mark Kelly is a Member of the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors

The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors - highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

NAPFA members live by three important values:

  • To be the beacon for independent, objective financial advice for individuals and families.
  • To be the champion of financial services delivered in the public interest.
  • To be the standard bearer for the emerging profession of financial planning.

Our mission is to help families think beyond just saving for college, but helping leverage strategies that leverage your unique situation to help you save ON college costs. I take into consideration topics like specialized college-planning strategies for business owners, planning for financial aid, school-specific scholarships, coordinating college planning with grandparents, cash-flow strategies and options for covering shortfalls, to name just a few. Today, parents of college-bound children should be able to expect more than just simplistic, one-size-fits-all savings strategies from their financial advisor. With me, you can expect more and I’ll deliver more!

We have found many parents only want the best for their children and before they think about Retirement they are often challenged to figure out how to pay for college. Often taking on loans to do so robbing them of dollars needed for retirement. Student Loan debt recently exceeded $1.5 TRILLION which far exceeds even credit card debt.  Our goal is to end the student loan crisis one student and parent at a time. You deserve the retirement you have worked hard to achieve.  Let Universitty Financial Strategies help you reach that goal.

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

Specialties

  • Dave Ramsey Trained Master Financial Coach
  • College Education How To Pay For It
  • Comprehensive Financial Planning
  • Retirement Income Planning
  • Investment Management
  • Tax Planning

Ideal Clients

  • Families with College Bound Children
  • Retirees and Near Retirees
  • Growing Families
  • Business Owners and Executives
  • Sudden Money Situations
  • Novice Investors

Working Together

  • In-Office Meetings
  • Zoom Virtual Meetings
  • Clearly Defined Fees
  • No Product Sales
  • Complimentary Initial Consultation

Professional Designations & Affiliations

  • National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA)
    Mark Kelly is a NAPFA-Registered Financial Advisor

    The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) is a leading professional association of Fee-Only financial advisors—highly trained professionals who are committed to working in the best interests of those they serve.

  • XY Planning Network
    Mark Kelly is a Member of the XY Planning Network

    The XY Planning Network is the leading organization of fee-only financial advisors who are focused on working with Generation X and Generation Y clients. Our mission is to connect consumers with best-in-class financial advisors who specialize in working with clients just like you.

  • Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
    Mark Kelly 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.

Contact Mark Kelly

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Office Locations:

  • 8480 Honeycutt Rd
    Suite 200
    Raleigh, NC NC
  • 4801 Glenwood Avenue
    Suite 200-630
    Raleigh, NC 27612

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