Compass
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Comprehensive Planning Associates provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts/estates, supplemented by ongoing consulting. The firm also offers annuities and other insurance products and performs tax preparation as part of its service mix.
Investment programs are implemented under a documented investment policy or risk-tolerance framework, with quarterly account reviews and financial plans typically delivered within 90 days of engagement. The firm employs fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction and also runs public seminars and workshops on investments and its services.
Notably, the firm’s advisers engage in multiple licensed activities beyond advisory work: they are registered representatives of a broker‑dealer, licensed insurance agents, and provide tax-preparation services (including an Enrolled Agent), and they disclose commission-based product sales where applicable. These combined roles and the firm’s use of free educational seminars are uncommon among peers; the brochure describes disclosures, procedures, and fiduciary commitments intended to mitigate resulting conflicts of interest.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
Financial planning services offered at fixed fees ranging from $1,000 to $10,000
$0 - $500,000: 1.95% annually $500,001 - $1,000,000: 1.5% annually $1,000,001 - $2,000,000: 1.00% annually $2,000,001 - $5,000,000: 0.75% annually $5,000,001+: 0.50% annually
Separate commissions for insurance and securities products sold by representatives
Financial planning services offered at $250 per hour
Fee-only: Hourly fees at $250 per hour; Fixed fees between $1,000 and $10,000 for financial planning
Main office
33 Miller Street
Fairfield CT 06824
Advisors at this office
3
Most active in
Connecticut · Florida · New York · North Carolina
Also doing business as
Compass · Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd.
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is active or affiliated with:
Insurance agent
They sell insurance products and may earn commissions on those sales.
Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
Is not active or affiliated with:
-
Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
-
Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
-
Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
-
Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
-
Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
-
Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Forms ADV
Quick links
Advisors at this firm
Gretchen B
CFP®, Series 66
Fairfield, CT
Compass
Gretchen Brunner is a CFP® with 20 years of industry experience, currently affiliated with Compass. She has held roles at M & G Brunner LLC since 2019 and Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd. since 2004. In addition to her advisory work, she serves as an enrolled agent managing tax preparation and office operations. Comprehensive Planning Associates provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts. The firm integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in its investment approach and offers ongoing consulting along with educational seminars and workshops.
Michael B
Series 65
Fairfield, CT
Compass
Michael Baran is a Series 65-licensed financial advisor at Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd. in Fairfield, CT, with three years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he worked at People's United Bank and has experience outside financial services, including pest control and landscaping. He is also licensed as an insurance agent. Comprehensive Planning Associates offers discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts/estates. The firm integrates fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in its investment approach and conducts public seminars and workshops on investments and advisory services.
Matthew B
Series 63, Series 65
Fairfield, CT
Compass
Matthew Brunner is a financial advisor at Compass with 14 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with Comprehensive Planning Associates, Ltd. since 2011. Outside of his advisory work, he co-hosted a fishing-related venture, Fishing with Matt and Josh, from 2007 to 2023. Comprehensive Planning Associates provides discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and tax-planning services to individuals, high-net-worth clients, and trusts/estates. The firm uses a documented investment policy and combines fundamental, technical, and cyclical analysis in portfolio construction, while also offering educational seminars and workshops.
Not sure where to start?
We'll help you think it through—whether you ultimately need an advisor or not. Warmer helps you compare advisors clearly, so you can choose with confidence.
For advisor listings, we rely on sources including public filings and data provided by advisors, and we cannot guarantee that all information is current or accurate. Advisors are independent and may not have reviewed or updated this information. Please review an advisor’s Form ADV and do your own diligence before deciding whether to work with them.
Advisor matching and introductions are provided by FinanceHQ LLC (“FHQ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warmer and an SEC-registered investment advisor. We receive compensation from certain participating advisors for introductions or referrals. This creates a conflict of interest because we have an incentive to recommend advisors who compensate us, including those who pay us more. You pay no fee to use our matching service, and advisor fees are not increased because of a referral or introduction. We do not review the ongoing performance of advisors, manage or hold assets, guarantee performance, or provide advice about specific investments.
By using our service, you agree to our Terms of Service and Advisory Agreement, and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. Please review FHQ’s ADV Part 2A and Form CRS. Logos provided by Logo.dev
© 2026 Warmer Holdings Inc. (“Warmer”)