Michael Henzes
CFP®, EA, MBA
Open Wealth Network
Owner & Lead Adviser
Michael Henzes
CFP®, EA, MBA
Open Wealth Network
Owner & Lead Adviser
After 20 years in financial services I've come to the conclusion that the traditional financial service model is broken and that it's time to do something about it.” - Michael Henzes, CFP®, EA, MBA
Flat dollar, fee-Only financial planner located in Pottstown, PA, serving clients in the greater Philadelphia area and across the country
Michael Henzes is a Pottstown, PA fee-only financial planner who provides financial planning and investment management services for a flat dollar fee.
We serve a diverse clientele from many professions and stages of life; however, we’ve found most of our clients have the following characteristics:
$200,000+ of household income OR $400,000+ of accumulated investments
Age 40+
Understand their goals are too important to do everything themselves and value expert guidance
Pharmaceutical, IT, life science, or healthcare professionals
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Pfizer, Eli Lilly & Co. (Lilly), Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Merck & Co. (Merck), Lockheed Martin (LMC), Dow, Amazon, among others
Guiding Principles
Client first – You are our top priority. Our firm is purposely designed to provide a high level of service to a select group of clients. You will deal directly with the owner and not some 800 number call center.
Good faith – To make sure we can adhere to principle number one, we must do our best to eliminate conflicts of interest. This is why we do not sell any products nor receive commissions; we are only compensated by you. All clients receive a signed fiduciary oath putting our commitment to your best interest in writing.
Expertise – We are committed to life-long learning; however, no matter our level of knowledge or success we must never let our ego prevent us from providing a “best in class” solution. We must keep an open mind to new ideas and be willing to seek out support from other professionals and subject matter experts.
Focus – We cannot be all things to all people which is why we limit the number of clients and industries we serve. We focus our energy on the topics relevant to you and your family.
Friction – We have to reduce friction and make working together easy. We will use technology to make efficient use of our time.
Investments– Markets are mostly efficient over the long run – we must keep costs low, invest broadly, and help you stay invested.
Value – Our objective is to add massive value regardless of where you are on your journey.
Meet the Founder
I started my career as an accountant for a start-up pharmaceutical company before moving into public accounting. As much as I liked the analytical nature of that work, I found my calling in the financial planning profession in 1999.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of the financial services industry and a strong opinion on how it could be improved for consumers, leading to the launch of Open Wealth Network.
As a fee-only fiduciary advisor and member of both the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (napfa.org), the Fee-Only Network (feeonlynetwork.com), and the XY Planning Network (xyplanningnetwork.com), I hold myself to the highest ongoing ethical, educational, and practice standards.
Click to Read My Code of Ethics
In my limited free time, it’s all about family. I’ve been married for 18 years to my wife, Maria, and we have four young children.
We enjoy being outdoors so you can typically find us spending time at the soccer field, hiking a mountain with the scouts, four-wheeling, catching waves at the Jersey shore or carving turns at our local ski resorts.
If you’d like to further explore how I might be able to help, I would encourage you to take advantage of our free financial checkup. I sincerely appreciate your interest and look forward to connecting with you soon.
Additional Background:
- Originally from Northeast Pennsylvania (Blakely, PA) and currently live in Southeast Pennsylvania (Pottstown, PA)
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania – Bachelor of Science (BS), Accounting
- St. Joseph’s University – Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance concentration
- CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional (CFP®)
- Enrolled Agent (EA) – An enrolled agent is a person who has earned the privilege of representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and is the highest credential awarded by the IRS.
- Formerly involved in non-profit, charitable, and civic organizations such as the Pottstown Regional Public Library, Upper Pottsgrove Township, YMCA (philaymca.org), Kiwanis, Boy Scouts of America, and numerous youth sports organizations.
- Member of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce (http://business.tricountyareachamber.com) and the Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce (https://perkiomenvalleychamber.org)
You can find out more about my professional background here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finplanningspecialist/
Sec.gov: https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/Individual/4032996
– Michael Henzes
We opened our doors to address these simple truths:
Whether you were referred to us or googled “Financial Adviser Near Me”, we’re glad you found us. We believe the work we do brings lasting and meaningful value to our clients’ lives. We also believe that our business model is the most logical and practical way to engage a financial service professional.
Truth: Most people need help with their finances beyond investments and insurance.
OWN Solution: We provide cutting edge, research backed, investment and risk management solutions but you deserve more. Unsure if you should draw social security now or later, wondering if you should prepay or refinance your mortgage, contemplating starting a business, considering consolidating your student loans, need help with a spending plan; we can help.
Truth: Most people are paying WAY too much for the limited scope of traditional financial advice which typically revolves around asset allocation and investments.
OWN Solution: We provide real advice about things that matter and offer our unique “Capped” billing which limits the amount you will pay on an annual basis. We receive NO commissions, kick-backs, or referral fees; we work for you….period.
Truth: Big banks and brokerage houses are about sales NOT what’s in your best interest.
OWN Solution: We sign and deliver to you a fiduciary oath and are required by law to put your interests before our own. We do not sell products nor do we receive commissions of any kind.
Truth: Traditional financial service firms feed on the already wealthy and do nothing to accelerate the creation of wealth for younger generations.
OWN Solution: OWN was designed to add massive value and accelerate the creation of wealth for those at the top of the mountain as well as those on their way up.
Truth: Our Most Valuable Asset is Time
OWN Solution: We leverage technology to reduce friction and make efficient use of our time together. Our goal is to help you find more time and confidence to be with those you love most and to live your best life. Compounding works best the more time it’s given so let’s get started today!
We serve as your:
- Experienced Partner – What options/methods/approaches/trade-offs should we consider?
- Sounding Board – This is what we’re thinking…does it make sense? What do you think?
- Blind Spot Monitor – Any pitfalls in our thinking? What are we missing?
- Assumption Challenger – Are our assumptions reasonable? Are we missing some critical ones?
- Motivator – Can you help us do what needs to be done and hold us accountable?
- Network Connector – Do you know others who can help us? Who do you recommend for X?
Fee-Only, Fiduciary, Independent: Three Important Criteria to Consider When Choosing a Financial Advisor.
Specialties
- Pre-Retirement Checkup
- Retirement Income Planning
- Investment Management
- Late Stage College Planning
- Tax Planning
- Comprehensive Financial Planning
Ideal Clients
- Retirees and Near Retirees
- Growing Families
- Business Owners and Executives
- Sudden Money Situations
- Life Science / Pharmaceutical
- Information Technology (IT)
- Independent Women
- Medical Professionals
Working Together
- Complimentary Initial Consultation
- In-Office or Virtual Meetings
- Clearly Defined Flat Dollar Fees
- No Product Sales
- Accountability
- Disciplined Process
Professional Designations & Affiliations
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Michael Henzes is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional - Click for VerificationCFP® 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.
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Michael Henzes is an Enrolled Agent with the IRS (Learn More)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.
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Michael Henzes is a NAPFA-Registered Financial AdvisorThe 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.
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Michael Henzes is a Member of the XY Planning NetworkThe 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.
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Michael Henzes is Quoted in the Wall Street Journal: "How to Get Your Finances in Order Before Returning to Work"
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Michael Henzes is Quoted in ThinkAdvisor: "Advisors’ Advice: 8 Major College Savings Mistakes Clients Make"
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Michael Henzes is Quoted in ThinkAdvisor: "Advisors’ Advice: What Does the Secure Act Really Mean for Clients?"
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Michael Henzes is Quoted on The Huffington Post: "6 College Savings Tips For Parents Who Are Getting A Late Start"
Contact Michael Henzes
Office Locations:
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1518 Cloverhill Rd
Pottstown, PA 19464
