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Ascend Financial

Updated today

Client assets under management

$3,240,862

Clients

21

33% high-net-worth

Advisors

1

of 1 employees

Firm type

Independent

1 advisor with up to 2 employees

Clients per advisor

21

Typical

Average account size

$154,327

About

Ascend Financial is a small, fee‑only independent advisory firm that serves individual and high‑net‑worth clients with investment management and both ongoing and project‑based financial planning. Services described in the brochure include retirement and college planning, business planning, cash‑flow and tax planning, risk management, and delivery of investment management on a discretionary basis tied to comprehensive planning engagements.

The firm’s investment approach emphasizes asset allocation and Modern Portfolio Theory and blends passive and active vehicles to construct portfolios, while also considering factors such as tax efficiency and fund holdings. Ascend Financial may use third‑party resources to implement strategies, including a sub‑advisor (XY Investment Solutions) and model portfolios available through the Altruist Model Marketplace, and accounts are reviewed quarterly under the firm’s discretionary authority; the firm does not accept client‑imposed restrictions on individual securities or sectors.

Noteworthy distinctions include the firm’s provision of educational seminars and speaking engagements—topics explicitly call out financial literacy for 15–25 year olds and college funding for parents and students—which is relatively uncommon among peers. The brochure also details the firm’s clarified custody posture around Standing Letters of Authorization and the formal adoption of the seven safeguards described in SEC guidance, alongside its small, single‑advisor structure and reliance on third‑party model and sub‑advisor arrangements.

Client services

Financial planning Portfolio management Selection of other advisers Educational seminars or workshops

Expertise

Cash flow / budgeting College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Retirement income strategy

Occupation focus

Founder/Business Owner

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Fee options

Fixed

Initial comprehensive financial plan fee up to $3,600 (may be waived); Project-based planning fixed fees $1,200-$7,200.

Percentage

$0 - $1,000,000: 0.90% $1,000,001 - $2,000,000: 0.80% $2,000,001 - $3,000,000: 0.70% $3,000,001 - $4,000,000: 0.60% $4,000,001 - $5,000,000: 0.50% $5,000,001+: 0.40%

Subscriptions

Ongoing Financial Planning charged monthly in arrears at $300-$1,000 per month, fees negotiable.

Other

Fee-only: Ongoing Financial Planning: $300-$1,000 per month; Project-Based Financial Planning: $1,200-$7,200 fixed fee; Educational seminars: $0-$5,000 per seminar; Fees negotiable.

Main office location

Ascend Financial

Scituate MA, United States

Number of offices

1

Most active in

Massachusetts

Disclosures

Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.

Business activities & affiliations

Advisors at this firm

Stephanie L

CFP®

Scituate, MA

Ascend Financial

If I asked you how to drive from Boston to Florida, you would probably tell me it’s a lot easier to get there with a map or GPS. Now what if I asked you how to get from here to… retirement? Financial planning is like a road map for your future. With a holistic perspective, we dive into every aspect of your financial situation, ensuring that no opportunity for growth or security is overlooked, and we put together a plan to help you realize your dreams. Then, we help monitor your progress, like a financial GPS, as you navigate traffic along the way, or choose to stop at a few scenic overlooks. I began my career in Corporate Finance, but my passion for personal planning was sparked when I realized that I missed a few financial opportunities in my own life. In the early years, between work and building a family, time is at a premium. While my husband and I had interest in managing our financial lives, we didn’t have the time to be intentional about it. Working with a financial professional would have been beneficial, but at the time, we didn’t know how to afford it, who to trust, or where to seek qualified advice. So, I decided to become the person we were seeking. In 2017, I started pursuit of the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification, which requires a fiduciary oath to always put my clients’ best interests first. I founded Ascend Financial in 2023 because I believe financial planning should be accessible. At Ascend, we have no asset minimums. Our typical client is in their career-building phase, seeking advice on managing a lot of big-ticket expenses, and trying to maximize their opportunities for savings and retirement. In addition to comprehensive financial planning and investment management services, we also provide college funding analysis and student loan planning. Knowing that education is often one of the largest expenses a family incurs, we prioritize our skills in navigating the complex and ever-changing landscape of student loan and financial aid programs. At Ascend, we help clients organize their financial lives, dream about their goals, and analyze the what-if situations that come up. Our goal is to make sure that you see the opportunities that lie ahead, instead of noticing them in the rear-view mirror.

College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Wealth management General retirement planning Founder/Business Owner Gen X (Born 1965-1980)
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