At the Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors our goal is to help our members achieve the vision they have for their practice through educating them on how to increase their overall production while managing their practice in an efficient and time effective manner.
Members of the Academy are part of an exclusive group of dedicated individuals and practices that offer the highest level of financial advice and service for their clients.
A comprehensive training program for mid- to high-level advisors. The Exclusive Coaching Program’s proven systems and customized advice bring empirical results for its members.
The Academy is committed to sharing with all members not just the theory behind these proven systems, but the implementation necessary to boost their production and allow them more free time to do the things they enjoy!
The systems taught are based on the real-world, time-proven and tested techniques of an active and thriving financial advisory practices. For nearly 20 years, we have had the good fortune of working with several hundred of the industry’s finest advisors and producers.
Academy Members are Trained by
Ken Unger, Founder of APFA The Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors, is a highly-respected industry veteran. With over 40 years of experience, he is known throughout the financial industry for his knowledge, enthusiasm and high energy level. He is widely recognized by audiences of financial advisors nationwide for sharing efficient practice management strategies and effective sales and marketing ideas. His past experiences include: successfully forming and directing some of the industry’s finest internal and external sales organizations, structuring and negotiating financial products, and launching both a proprietary mutual fund and variable annuity. Ken’s well-rounded background includes tenures as Vice President of Shearson Lehman Hutton, Vice President of Connecticut Mutual Financial Services (the broker dealer affiliate of Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance), and Senior Vice President of Boston Capital (a financial services product distributor). He is a graduate of Cornell University. Ken is an accomplished runner and has completed the Boston, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago marathons.
Robert S. Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished) is a partner with Keebler & Associates, LLP and is a 2007 recipient of the prestigious Accredited Estate Planners (Distinguished) award from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. He has been named by CPA Magazine as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Practitioners in the United States and one of the Top 40 Tax Advisors to Know During a Recession. Mr. Keebler is the past Editor-in-Chief of CCH’s magazine, Journal of Retirement Planning, and a member of CCH’s Financial and Estate Planning Advisory Board. His practice includes family wealth transfer and preservation planning, charitable giving, retirement distribution planning, and estate administration. He frequently represents clients before the National Office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the private letter ruling process and in estate, gift and income tax examinations and appeals. He is nationally recognized as an expert in estate and retirement planning and works collaboratively with other experts on academic reviews and papers, and client matters. He graduated (cum laude) from Lakeland College with a degree in Accountancy and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with a Masters in Taxation.
With over 25 years’ experience, Chad is President of Retirement Planning Specialists, a multi-million dollar practice. Through the Academy, he has helped hundreds of advisors improve their services and systems. His main focus is sharing how he services clients and generates new business. Chad is well-known and respected as a thought leader and role model for other advisors. Chad has presented at multiple conferences and is constantly sought after as a knowledgeable panelist and industry expert. Chad is a Certified Financial Planner™ who is a Registered Representative offering securities through TD Ameritrade. Chad holds Series 6, 7, 24, 63 and 66 securities registrations. He is happily married with two children.
Bonnie Unger is a founding partner of the APFA. Through her role as CEO, she has helped build the APFA into one of the industry’s best coaching companies for mid- to high-level professionals. She has over 35 years of industry experience, including an 8-year tenure at Massachusetts Financial Services (MFS), where she was a Director of Inbound Marketing and Responses. She is an honors graduate of Queen’s College. She is an avid fitness enthusiast who has completed the Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago Marathons.
Stephanie Inouye is a 20-year financial services industry veteran. As Chief Operating Officer and Senior Coach, Stephanie oversees business operations at the APFA, helps design curriculum and is a key coach for the Exclusive Coaching Program . She particularly enjoys information gathering and development of content for practice management systems. She hold extensive knowledge of business building and ownership from the ground up. In her spare time, she enjoys working on her hobby farm, riding her horses, hiking, traveling, and fitness.
Heather has been an integral part of the Academy’s team since 2008, with a focus on team member and operational excellence training. She is also the Director of Operations & Trading for Chad Smith’s practice, Retirement Planning Specialists. She is fully licensed and serves as the point person for all new clients. She also helps with client reviews and handles account inquiries for current clients. Heather has set up efficient systems for; opening new accounts, responding to client requests, overseeing account maintenance, finalizing account transfers, coordinating distributions/contributions, and executing trades. Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters. When not working she can be found taking trips to the ocean and dune buggying.