Business Details
24 Years
experience
Your Trusted Financial Advisers in Fresno, CA
Pathways Advisory Group is a fee-only financial planning firm dedicated to providing personalized investment strategies, tax planning, and retirement solutions. Our team of seasoned advisors prioritizes education, transparency, and long-term client relationships to help individuals and families achieve financial clarity and security. We specialize in constructing diversified portfolios, minimizing tax liabilities, and creating tailored retirement plans that align with each client's unique goals. With a focus on proactive planning and disciplined investment management, we guide clients through every stage of their financial journey. Our commitment to integrity and expertise ensures clients receive actionable insights without conflicts of interest.By avoiding market timing and high-fee products, we aim to capture market returns while maintaining cost efficiency. Our services extend to estate planning, college funding, and charitable giving, addressing comprehensive financial needs. We serve clients in Fresno, CA, and beyond, offering both in-person and virtual consultations. Our process emphasizes ongoing education, periodic portfolio rebalancing, and adaptive strategies to navigate changing life circumstances. For over two decades, we have built a reputation for delivering client-centric financial guidance rooted in experience and fiduciary responsibility.
Services
Investment Management
Tax Planning
Retirement Planning
Estate & Beneficiary Planning
Special Topics
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We offer personalized financial strategies tailored to individual client needs.
- Our team includes Certified Financial Planners with decades of combined experience.
- We utilize a fee-only model to eliminate conflicts of interest.
- Our proactive tax planning strategies minimize long-term liabilities.
- We provide comprehensive estate and beneficiary planning guidance.
Associations and certifications
- SEC Registered Investment Adviser
What people say
Expert financial guidance
Personalized approach
Comprehensive planning
Knowledgeable team
Proactive communication
Services
Investment Management
We construct diversified portfolios using low-cost mutual funds and ETFs while educating clients about risk-return tradeoffs. Our disciplined rebalancing strategy maintains target allocations and avoids emotional decision-making. Regular performance reporting ensures transparency and alignment with long-term financial goals.
Tax Planning
Our proactive tax strategies minimize current and future liabilities through projections, cost basis management, and strategic account positioning. We coordinate with CPAs to implement tax-efficient withdrawal plans and Roth conversion opportunities for both working professionals and retirees.
Retirement Planning
We create customized retirement roadmaps addressing income needs, Social Security optimization, and sustainable withdrawal rates. Computer projections help clients visualize funding requirements while balancing near-term lifestyle goals with long-term security.
Estate & Beneficiary Planning
Our estate planning services include beneficiary designation reviews, legacy planning diagrams, and coordination with legal professionals. We help clients establish tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies while preparing heirs for future responsibilities.
Special Topics
We address unique financial needs through college funding strategies, insurance evaluations, pension decision analysis, and charitable giving techniques. Our comprehensive approach covers specialized areas like Social Security optimization and intergenerational wealth transfer.
People
Jeff Karst
President and Financial Planner
Certified Financial Planner with 15+ years of experience in investment strategy and retirement planning. Focuses on creating personalized financial roadmaps while emphasizing tax-efficient solutions for high-net-worth clients.
Dustin Smith
Vice President and Financial Planner
CFP professional specializing in portfolio construction and risk management. Brings expertise in asset allocation strategies and client education about market volatility and long-term investment principles.
Michelle Carter
Financial Planner
Certified Financial Planner with a focus on women's financial independence and retirement income planning. Experienced in simplifying complex financial concepts for diverse client audiences.
Whitney Kelley
Financial Planner
CFP professional specializing in tax-efficient withdrawal strategies and Social Security optimization. Helps clients navigate retirement transitions with comprehensive income planning solutions.
Nicole Swanson
COO/CCO
Chief Compliance Officer overseeing operational integrity and regulatory adherence. Ensures all client interactions maintain the highest ethical standards while supporting advisor-client relationships.
Questions
What services does Pathways Advisory Group offer?
We provide investment management, tax planning, retirement strategies, estate planning, and specialized financial solutions tailored to individual client needs.
Are you a fiduciary financial advisor?
Yes, we operate as a fee-only fiduciary, legally obligated to act in our clients' best interests without conflicts from product sales commissions.
How do you charge for your services?
We use a transparent fee-only structure based on assets under management, with no hidden costs or product-based commissions for all financial planning services.
Do you work with out-of-state clients?
Yes, we serve clients nationwide through virtual consultations while maintaining our primary office location in Fresno, California.
How often do you review investment portfolios?
We conduct quarterly performance reviews and annual comprehensive plan updates, with additional check-ins available for significant life changes or market events.
What makes Pathways different from other advisors?
Our unique combination of personalized education, proactive tax strategies, and comprehensive life-stage planning creates holistic financial solutions focused on long-term client success.