The Planning Group
Data sourced from SEC public records (and other sources when available). Refreshed weekly • Updated today.
Client AUMClient assets under management
$277,013,428
Clients
252
Advisors
4
of 4 employees
About
The Planning Group serves individuals (including high-net-worth clients), pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities through a multi-advisor team, offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning tailored to each client's goals. The firm documents client objectives and constraints in an Investment Policy Statement and may refer portions of client assets to third-party advisers; there is no stated account minimum.
TPG’s investment process combines fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory to build long-term, asset-allocation-driven portfolios, with discretionary trading authority and monthly reviews and quarterly custodian reporting. The firm primarily implements strategies via mutual funds and ETFs but may use options (including covered and uncovered strategies) for certain clients, and it requires clients to custody assets at a specified institutional custodian.
Noteworthy differences from many peers include that several firm principals are licensed insurance agents who may offer commissionable insurance and annuity products, a relationship the brochure discloses as a potential conflict of interest and clarifies is optional for clients. The firm also routinely uses standing transfer authorizations that create limited custody and may refer clients to outside money managers without conducting ongoing performance oversight of those managers.
Client services
Expertise
Fee options
Fixed fees for financial planning between $500 and $25,000
$0 - $1,000,000: 1.10% $1,000,001 - $2,000,000: 0.85% $2,000,001 - $3,000,000: 0.65% $3,000,001+: 0.50%
$100 to $500 per hour
Fee-only: Fixed fees between $500 and $25,000; Hourly fees between $100 and $500
Main office
465 Central Ave, Suite 201
Northfield IL 60093
Advisors at this office
4
Most active in
Arizona · California · Florida · Illinois · Nebraska · Texas
Also doing business as
The Planning Group · Tpg Advisors LLC
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.
Is not active or affiliated with:
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Broker-dealer / trader
They provide brokerage services and may earn transaction-based compensation in addition to advisory fees.
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Bank
They're affiliated with a bank that may offer its own financial products and services.
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Trust company
They provide trust and estate administration services, typically for separate fees.
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Fund sponsor
They manage or sponsor investment funds and may earn management or performance-based fees if clients invest in them.
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Accountant / CPA / tax prep
They offer tax and accounting services, typically for separate fees.
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Lawyer
They provide legal services, typically billed separately.
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Real estate agent
They facilitate real estate transactions and may earn commissions.
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Other specialized services
They may provide services such as pension consulting or municipal advisory work, typically for separate fees.
Quick links
Advisors at this firm
Michael B
CFA®, Series 66
Northfield, IL
The Planning Group
Michael Brown is a CFA® charterholder with 24 years of industry experience. He is affiliated with The Planning Group, where he has worked since 1999, and previously held roles at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors. Brown holds a CPA credential and serves as a licensed insurance agent; he also acts as a paid trustee for two individual family trusts. The Planning Group is a registered investment adviser serving individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm employs fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory to create tailored, model-based portfolios, primarily using mutual funds, ETFs, fixed income, and other investment products.
Martin J
Series 65
Northfield, IL
The Planning Group
Martin Jankelowitz is a Series 65 licensed advisor at The Planning Group with two years of industry experience. Prior to joining The Planning Group, he worked at Willis Towers Watson for five years and operated an independent consulting business from 2021 to 2023. He continues to engage in independent consulting, dedicating part of his time to this activity. The Planning Group serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities through a multi-advisor team, providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client goals. The firm employs a combination of fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory to construct long-term, asset-allocation-driven portfolios, primarily using mutual funds and ETFs.
Paul S
CFP®, Series 66
Northfield, IL
The Planning Group
Paul Shuman is a CFP® with 21 years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at The Planning Group. He has previously worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and has operated Shuman Financial Consulting, LLC since 2009. Shuman is a CPA and serves as a board member and Financial Committee Chairman for Shore Community Services, Inc. in Skokie, IL. The Planning Group is a registered investment adviser that serves individuals, including high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities. The firm employs a model-based investment approach using fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory, offering discretionary portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client objectives.
Dani B
Series 65, Series 66
Northfield, IL
The Planning Group
Dani Barron is a financial advisor at The Planning Group with 19 years of industry experience. She holds Series 65 and Series 66 licenses and has worked at Cambridge Investment Research Advisors and Barron Wealth Management. Barron founded a South African networking group in Illinois that organizes regular events to connect professionals. The Planning Group serves individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, and business entities through a team-based approach, providing discretionary portfolio management and financial planning tailored to client goals. The firm uses a combination of fundamental analysis and modern portfolio theory to construct long-term, asset-allocation-driven portfolios, primarily utilizing mutual funds and ETFs.
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