Christine Backel is a CFP® professional with four years of experience currently advising at United Financial Planning Group LLC. She has held roles across financial services and related fields, including positions at Aurora Consulting Insights LTD, the New York State Department of Financial Services’ Criminal Investigations Unit, and a CPA firm. Outside of advisory work, she serves as president of Aurora Consulting Insights LTD, a consulting firm providing accounting and tax services. United Financial Planning Group serves individuals, high-net-worth clients, and small business owners with financial planning, portfolio management, and pension consulting. The firm emphasizes a long-term, diversified investment approach using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, tailoring portfolios to client goals and risk tolerance, and coordinating with other professional advisors.

Gerard Barrasso is a CFP® professional with 4 years of industry experience, currently serving at United Financial Planning Group LLC in Hauppauge, NY. He has been with the firm since 2008. United Financial Planning Group LLC provides financial planning, asset management, and pension consulting services to individuals and small-business owners. The firm employs a passive, diversified asset-allocation strategy focused on mutual funds and ETFs, with tailored advice based on clients’ goals and risk tolerances.

I'm a dedicated financial professional with over a decade of experience, committed to helping my clients achieve their financial goals. Originally from Quito, Ecuador, I'm a first-generation immigrant who came to the United States to pursue my education and career. After a year of studying abroad in Paris in 2012, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Finance from Western Connecticut State University, marking the beginning of my journey in financial services. Since then, I've had the privilege of working closely with clients, guiding them through various financial landscapes. I believe in continuous learning and have invested in expanding my expertise to better serve their diverse needs. In 2022, I earned my CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) certification, a testament to my commitment to upholding the highest standards in financial planning. Additionally, I hold multiple other designations from the American College of Financial Services, including Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®), and Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®). When I'm not in the office, you can find me enjoying a round of golf, catching a tennis match, or cheering on my favorite soccer team. I also love exploring new destinations and trying out new restaurants. I live in Norwalk, CT, with my wife, Paula.

I specialize in working with growing families, career changers, mid-to-late career professionals, therapists, private and group practitioners and the self-employed, enabling them to thrive financially so they can focus on other life goals. I've taken my years of experience working for myself and deep knowledge of the financial space to build a process to help clients align their finances or business with their goals, family and future at the forefront. With the ability to work with families, professionals, therapists and the self-employed across the country, I listen, guide and encourage clients to unlock the value of their business and their finances. This builds better life-balance, wealth, and success, while your own goals, patients or client experiences flourish. This is done through a series of analyses, that includes: • Cash Flow Management • Goal Development • Ongoing Tax Optimization • Tax Filing • Investment Strategy or Management • Wealth and Risk Management • Financial Independence or Retirement Planning • Succession Planning I'm a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and Enrolled Agent with a Master’s in Business and Economic Reporting from New York University and a certificate of Financial Planning from Boston University. I work out of United Financial Planning Group, based in Hauppauge, NY while I live in Huntington, NY with my wife, two kids and one small dog. You will often find me discussing movies or basketball when not delving into someone’s financial picture or serving as a jungle gym for my children.