Financial Strategies Group
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
About
Financial Strategies Group (Classic Asset Management, LLC) provides advisory services to individuals (including high-net‑worth clients), as well as pension and profit‑sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations and other business entities. The firm offers discretionary portfolio management, both broad-based and modular financial planning, and retirement‑plan consulting, and may refer clients to unaffiliated third‑party retirement advisers.
The firm implements advice primarily through firm-developed model portfolios and relies substantially on Modern Portfolio Theory, employing a mix of analytical approaches (fundamental, technical, charting and cyclical analysis) and focusing on mutual funds and ETFs. It provides ongoing discretionary management with periodic reviews and disallows client investment in leveraged or inverse “non‑traditional” funds as a stated policy.
Distinctive disclosures include a May 2023 SEC administrative order related to the firm’s prior use of leveraged ETFs (including remedial measures and monetary sanctions) and a settled arbitration claim in 2024, both of which are reported in the Form ADV. The firm’s business model also includes associated persons who are registered representatives of a broker‑dealer and licensed insurance agents (earning separate commissions), fee‑sharing arrangements when recommending third‑party advisers, use of the OneAscent platform (with platform fees that vary by AUM placed on the platform), and a routine requirement that clients direct brokerage to selected custodians — relationships the firm discloses as potential conflicts that may affect execution or product recommendations.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
Flat fees range from $1,000 to $100,000 per year for portfolio management; Fixed fees for financial planning from $250 to $5,000 or more
0.50% to 2.00% annually (negotiable, varies by account size and complexity)
Commissions earned by registered representatives for securities and insurance products sold, separate from advisory fees
Hourly fees range from $40 to $250 for specific financial planning services
Fee-only: Flat fees between $1,000 and $100,000 per year for portfolio management; Fixed fees $250 to $5,000 for broad financial planning; Hourly fees $40 to $250 for modular financial planning
Main office
See office1220 28th Avenue North
Fargo ND 58102
Advisors at this office
3
Offices (2)
Most active in
Arizona · Colorado · Illinois · Iowa · Louisiana · Minnesota · Nebraska · North Dakota · South Dakota · Texas · Wisconsin
Also doing business as
Classic Asset Management, LLC · Financial Strategies Group · Financial Strategies Group, Inc.
Disclosures
Exclamation point means they have disclosures of this type. Check mark means no disclosures of this type were found.
Business activities & affiliations
Is not 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.
-
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.
-
Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
-
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.
Advisors at this firm
Austin A
Series 66
Fargo, ND
Financial Strategies Group
Austin Avery is a financial advisor with Financial Strategies Group in Fargo, ND, holding a Series 66 designation and four years of industry experience. He has worked at multiple firms including Purshe Kaplan Sterling Investments, Aurora Securities, and Secure Asset Management LLC. Avery is also involved in several business ventures, including ownership roles at Classic Asset Management LLC and Avery Wealth Management. Financial Strategies Group advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, and retirement plans, offering discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management along with modular financial planning. The firm employs firm-developed model portfolios based on Modern Portfolio Theory and primarily invests in mutual funds and ETFs.
Douglas S
Series 63, Series 65, Series 66
Fargo, ND
Financial Strategies Group
Douglas Schmitz is a financial advisor at Financial Strategies Group in Fargo, ND, with 38 years of industry experience. He holds Series 63, 65, and 66 licenses and has worked at several firms including Classic Asset Management, PKS Investments, and Schmitz Financial Services. Outside of his advisory work, he is involved in managing residential real estate properties. Financial Strategies Group provides advisory services to individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, estates, charitable organizations, and other business entities. The firm uses firm-developed model portfolios based on Modern Portfolio Theory and employs various analytical approaches, focusing primarily on mutual funds and ETFs with ongoing discretionary management.
Craig R
Series 66
Lakewood, CO
Financial Strategies Group
Craig Rottman is a financial advisor at Financial Strategies Group with 22 years of industry experience. He holds a Series 66 designation and has worked with firms including Aurora Securities Inc. and Secure Asset Management. Outside of finance, he serves on the RCSC Certification Committee, overseeing seminary candidates seeking ordination in the RCA. Financial Strategies Group advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, and retirement plans, providing portfolio management and financial planning services. The firm employs firm-developed model portfolios based on Modern Portfolio Theory, primarily investing in mutual funds and ETFs.
Michael Y
CFP®, Series 63, Series 66
Fargo, ND
Financial Strategies Group
Michael Young is a CFP® with 26 years of industry experience, currently serving at Financial Strategies Group. He has worked at Classic, LLC for 11 years and holds leadership roles including Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Classic Asset Management LLC. Young is also involved in non-investment activities as a board member of Calvary Church. Financial Strategies Group advises individuals, high-net-worth clients, and retirement plans with discretionary and non-discretionary portfolio management, financial planning, and retirement-plan advisory services. The firm manages approximately $170 million for about 659 clients, using model portfolios based on Modern Portfolio Theory and focusing on mutual funds and ETFs.
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”)