Shannon M. Sutherland│ Simple Impact LLC

Shannon M. Sutherland│ Simple Impact LLC

Shannon "Shãn" Sutherland, CPFA® CRC® AIF® ADPA℠, Wealth Advisor

CEO and Founder of Simple Impact LLC

 

 

 

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Shannon "Shãn" Sutherland, was featured in Forbes Magazine California Women Business Leaders edition. In addition to developing investment plans for executives and leadership professionals, Simple Impact LLC applies a unique gender filter when establishing investment portfolios that emphasize a women's contribution to corporate decision-making and lifelong financial confidence.

My credentials and designations are the result of a vigilant passion to meet the needs and requirements of my clientele. The annual investment in education to maintain these credentials is part of my ongoing commitment and focus. Most recently, Certified Retirement Counselor® Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor® .

Many of the families I serve prefer actively monitored investments requiring few interruptions to their daily lives. To address this, I am an Investment Adviser Representative (IAR). An IAR’s main responsibility includes providing investment-related advice, and an IAR is also required to be registered with the proper state authorities. Core knowledge about retirement planning, portfolio management strategies, fiduciary obligations, and principles are earned through various certifications. Certifications are tested and earned, such as the FINRA Series 63 securities registration*, covering state securities acts and related rules and regulations, and the Series 65 securities registration*, which qualifies investment professionals to operate as an IAR. Our Discretionary Portfolio Management Agreement makes it possible to work client investment accounts to a predetermined portfolio with one simple OK from our clients or their business managers. This represents a responsibility requiring a deeper level of understanding of the needs for whom money is being invested.   

In the year 2000, I passed the Series 7*. This basic/core exam allows me to make different types of trades in general securities.  A fun fact: my first trade was for $1,000,000. A few months later, I earned a California Life and Health Insurance license #0D28620. This is another foundation requirement to sell life insurance, health insurance, and annuities. My Accredited Asset Management SpecialistSM (AAMS®) designation course of study emphasized asset allocation** and identifying appropriate investments for individual clients. These three competencies represent a well-rounded knowledge base and should be considered the minimum requirement for an investor choosing his or her financial advisor.

I attended night classes for two years at UCLA to earn a personal financial planning certificate. The curriculum encompasses the major disciplines of financial planning with an emphasis on practical applications, which include analysis, investments, taxation, insurance, pension, estate planning, and ethics. Metaphorically speaking, I learned to tell time and build the clock. 

As the sophistication of my client base grew, I passed the Series 31 exam*, qualifying me to offer and sell managed futures funds. Managed futures have the ability to reduce volatility and improve performance when added to a well-diversified portfolio.**

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I support LGBT families and advocate for my clients. While in the Beverly Hills and West Hollywood communities, I embarked on learning to help navigate my clients around regulatory inconsistencies. Currently, I assist in obtaining an IRS private letter ruling to establish IRA spousal benefits from a deceased partner. The Accredited Domestic Partnership AdvisorSM (ADPA®) designation trained me to recognize the advantages and disadvantages of LGBT and heterosexual couples who are not legally married but live and navigate finances as if they were.

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Many of my clients are business owners. I have set up 401(k) retirement trusts for companies with 100+ employees and, more frequently, individual 401(k)s for S-Corps. Being responsible for the money of others, I obtained the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® (AIF®) designation, which increased my knowledge of fiduciary considerations when reviewing retirement plans. The AIF® process is best applied to overseeing and recommending choices for large-scale 401(k) retirement plan assets and charitable trusts. I also advise other fiduciaries (such as board members) on investment policies, asset allocation, and regulatory updates.

Sutherland 5 Star Wealth Manager 2021
In 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and again in 2021, I was recognized by Los Angeles magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager.  Four percent of advisors in the Los Angeles metro area considered for the award were acknowledged.

2013, 2016-2021 Five Star Wealth Manager Award, created by Five Star Professional. The 2021 award was presented in December 2020 based on data gathered within 12 months preceding the issue date. 3574 advisors were considered, 158 advisors were recognized. Advisors pay a fee to hold out marketing materials. Not indicative of advisor’s future performance. Your experience may vary. For more information, please visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

 

 

Simple Impact LLC serves clients in RenoTahoe, Nevada; California; and across the United States. When executives want to transition through a career change, or when a family needs stability, I bring a financial focus to shorten a path to the next opportunity.

My husband, Todd, and I have been together for more than 30+  years. We enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle.

* Registrations held through Commonwealth Financial Network
** Asset allocation and diversification programs do not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. No program can guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved.

***Forbes feature is a paid promotion.