Karl Elsass, President

karl@elsass-efg.com

Karl holds the CFP^® certification, AIF^®, CLU^® and ChFC^® designations and earned his MBA in finance from the University of Akron after receiving his business degree from Bowling Green State University. He holds the Series 7, 24, 63 & 65 registrations and is licensed to sell securities and insurance in a number of the states below. Karl is the Branch Manager / Office of Supervisory Jurisdiction Supervisor at the Wadsworth office, but also works with Members of the Community One Credit Union in Canton, Superior Savings Credit Union in Massillon, Canton Police & Firemen's Credit Union in Canton, Diebold Federal Credit Union in North Canton, Golden Circle Credit Union in Canton  and Summit Federal Credit Union in Akron.

Kevin Chiu, Vice President

kevin@elsass-efg.com

Kevin holds the CFP^® certification, AIF^®  and ChFC^® designations and earned his MBA in finance from Youngstown State University after receiving his business degree from Wittenberg University. He holds the Series 7, 63 & 65   registrations and is licensed to sell securities and insurance in a number of the states listed below. Kevin works out of the Canfield office primarily, but also works with Members of the Summit Federal Credit Union in both Salem & Akron and Golden Circle Credit Union in Alliance.

William Elsass, Founder

bill@elsass-efg.com

Bill started the Elsass Financial Group in 1982 after 20 years in the retail industry where he worked with his father. In fact, the Elsass Financial Group is the 5th generation family business in the Elsass family. Besides the customer first values Bill learned from his years in retail, Bill feels strongly about education. Bill has a BA from Wittenberg University and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He holds the CLU^®, ChFC^®, LUTCF and CASL^® designations, the Series 7, 22 & 63 registrations and is licensed to sell securities and insurance in a number of the states below.

Dick Clauss, Associate

dick@elsass-efg.com

Dick has over 30 years experience in the financial services industry, and is now semi-retired. He holds the Series 6 & 63 and is still active with a small group of Clients and remains the Elsass Financial Group's long term care insurance specialist. 

Designation Descriptions

So what do all of those letters mean after a financial advisor’s name?

Professional education in any form makes an important statement about the dedication of your advisor. But there are so many designations and certifications in the marketplace today, and they are not all equivalent in the depth of study involved or the amount of expertise they represent.

Characteristics of high-quality designations include extended periods of study, rigorous examinations and requirements for continuing education. All of the designations described below meet these criteria.

AIF^®: Investment Fiduciary
The Accredited Investment Fiduciary® designation represents a thorough knowledge of and ability to apply the fiduciary Practices.  AIF® designees have successfully completed a specialized program on investment fiduciary standard of care.  The program includes training, a code of ethics, a comprehensive examination, and ongoing continuing education requirements.  Designees are trained to help ensure an investment process is managed to an appropriate fiduciary standard of care.

CASL^®: Retirement Coaching
Holders of the CASL designation have completed five in-depth courses with comprehensive exams covering such subjects as retirement planning, social gerontology, health and long-term care financing, investments and estate planning. (Chartered Advisor for Senior Living®)

ChFC^® : Advanced Financial Planning
The ChFC professional has taken an eight-course curriculum resulting in the most comprehensive financial planning designation available today. All educational courses preparing for CFP® Certification are included plus specialized knowledge in such subjects as the financial system in the economy, financial planning applications, practical estate planning or additional study in retirement issues. (Chartered Financial Consultant™)

CFP^® : Financial Planning
The highly regarded CFP® mark represents a strong grounding in financial planning, insurance planning, income taxation, retirement expertise, investments and estate planning. In addition, a final comprehensive exam insures the ability to put this broad knowledge into practice. (Certified Financial Planner™)

CLU^®: Insurance Specialty
The oldest, most-respected designation in the financial services arena, CLU® represents the pinnacle in insurance expertise. Eight rigorous courses cover such subjects as life insurance, planning for business owners and professionals, estate planning, investments, law, health insurance and more. (Chartered Life Underwriter)

LUTCF: Insurance Essentials
Subjects range from personal markets to meeting the needs of business clients, with a wide range of product topics and life, retirement and estate planning courses. Interaction with other students heightens the learning and expertise that these professionals bring to their clients.
(LUTC Fellow) This designation is conferred in conjunction with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Registration Descriptions

Series 6: Mutual Fund and Annuity Representative

Provides an individual with the qualifications needed to sell mutual funds and variable annuities.

Series 7: General Securities Representative 

Provides an individual with the qualifications necessary in order to make different types of trades with all types of corporate securities, excluding commodities and futures. It is also one of the steps necessary in order for a member firm associate to register with FINRA. The Series 7 exam must be passed in order to take many other principal exams offered by FINRA.

Series 22: Direct Participant Limited Representative

Qualifies a registered individual to deal various forms of Direct Participation Programs (DPPs) such as real estate, oil and gas, and limited partnerships.

Series 24: General Securities Principal (GP)

Qualifies a registered individual to supervise or manage branch activities such as corporate securities, REITs, variable contracts, and venture capital.

Series 63: Uniform Securities Agent

In addition to the Series 6 or Series 7, will entitle an individual with the qualifications necessary to become a securities agent.

Series 65: Uniform Investment Advisor

Qualifies an investment professional to operate as an Investment Advisor Representative in certain states.