Why Fortitude Financial Planning Is Proud to Be a Member of ACP—and What That Means for You
At Fortitude Financial, we believe that financial advice should be unbiased, strategic, and always centered on your best interests. That’s why we’re proud members of the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP)—a professional organization that sets the gold standard in fee-only, fiduciary financial planning.
But what does that mean for you as a client? In short, it means that when you work with Fortitude Financial, you’re getting more than just a financial advisor—you’re gaining access to a powerful, proven, and deeply principled approach to financial planning that is driven by integrity, transparency, and results.
In this post, we’ll break down what ACP membership means, why we joined, and—most importantly—how it benefits you.
What Is the Alliance of Comprehensive Planners (ACP)?
The Alliance of Comprehensive Planners is a national community of tax-focused, fiduciary financial advisors who work under a fee-only model. Founded to raise the standard of financial planning in the United States, ACP equips its members with a comprehensive, tax-aware, and client-first methodology for delivering personalized financial advice.
ACP is not just a certification—it’s a commitment to a higher level of care, technical expertise, and service. Members are held to strict standards that go far beyond typical industry requirements.
At Fortitude Financial, this alignment with ACP’s mission fits perfectly with our own values.
1. Fee-Only Fiduciaries: No Commissions. No Conflicts.
One of the biggest reasons we chose to join ACP is its unwavering commitment to the fee-only fiduciary model.
What this means:
We don’t earn commissions from product sales.
We don’t accept referral fees.
We work solely for you—not for a brokerage firm, insurance company, or investment fund.
Our compensation structure eliminates conflicts of interest and keeps your financial well-being as our sole priority. As fiduciaries, we are legally and ethically bound to act in your best interest 100% of the time.
This is different from many traditional advisors, who may earn commissions for recommending certain products. With Fortitude Financial and ACP, you can trust that every recommendation is made because it’s right for you—not because it earns us a kickback.
2. Comprehensive Planning That Covers All the Bases
Real financial planning is more than just picking stocks or managing investments. It’s about understanding your complete financial picture—your goals, taxes, retirement needs, family situation, risk tolerance, and more—and building a plan that brings all of that together.
As ACP advisors, we offer integrated, full-spectrum financial planning. This includes:
Investment analysis and strategy
Tax planning and optimization
Insurance coverage evaluation
Estate planning coordination
Retirement income planning
Education savings strategies
Cash flow and budgeting support
By seeing the big picture, we can help you make better financial decisions in every area of your life—and adjust as life evolves.
3. Tax-Focused Advice That Puts More Money in Your Pocket
ACP members are uniquely trained to prioritize tax strategy as a core component of financial planning. This is one of the biggest differentiators between ACP advisors and the broader financial services industry.
We don’t just glance at your tax return—we dig into it. We analyze your income, deductions, retirement contributions, and future liabilities to make smart, proactive tax decisions that can save you real money.
Our tax-focused approach helps you:
Avoid costly mistakes
Optimize tax-advantaged accounts
Plan distributions from retirement accounts
Time capital gains and losses
Navigate changes in tax law
The bottom line? Our approach doesn’t just protect your wealth—it helps grow it more efficiently.
4. A Retainer Model That Gives You Unlimited Access
One of the unique benefits of working with an ACP advisor like Fortitude Financial is our retainer-based pricing model.
Instead of charging by the hour or taking a percentage of your assets, we offer a flat annual fee based on the complexity of your financial life. This gives you unlimited access to our guidance throughout the year—no extra billing, no hidden charges.
You can call us when life changes. You can email us when questions come up. You can meet with us regularly to update your plan. And all of it is included in your annual retainer.
Why this matters:
You get ongoing support, not just a one-time plan.
You avoid the pressure of “watching the clock.”
We build deeper relationships and a better understanding of your evolving goals.
Our goal is to be your lifelong financial partner—not a one-time consultant.
5. A Proven, Time-Tested Process That Works
The ACP system is not theoretical. It has been implemented successfully thousands of times by advisors across the country. As ACP members, we’ve been trained in this process and apply it rigorously with every client.
Here’s what that process looks like:
A clear onboarding roadmap
Defined deliverables and planning objectives
Regular checkpoints to evaluate progress
Reassessment when life changes
At Fortitude Financial, we don’t wing it. We don’t use guesswork. We use a tested process that is designed to produce clear results—and peace of mind.
6. Strength in Numbers: Backed by a Network of 160+ Experts
When you hire Fortitude Financial, you’re not just getting one advisor—you’re getting access to a national brain trust of over 160 experienced, credentialed professionals.
The ACP community includes:
Certified Financial Planners (CFP®)
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA)
Enrolled Agents (EA)
MBAs
Juris Doctors (JD)
Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA)
This collaborative network allows us to bring in deep technical expertise and peer-reviewed guidance when needed—especially for complex planning situations. It also ensures that we stay current with best practices and emerging strategies across the industry.
Even though we offer the personalized service of a local firm, we have the resources and insights of a national alliance.
Why ACP Membership Matters to You
If you’ve worked with financial advisors before, you know that the industry can be full of confusing fees, biased advice, and limited scope.
Working with Fortitude Financial as an ACP advisor flips that script.
Here’s what you get:
Truly objective advice based on your best interests
Flat-fee pricing with no commissions or sales pressure
Comprehensive planning for every area of your financial life
Tax-smart strategies that can improve outcomes year after year
Unlimited support when life gets complicated
Proven systems backed by training, experience, and results
A powerful professional network standing behind your advisor
That’s why ACP membership isn’t just a badge we wear—it’s a promise we keep.
Why Fortitude Chose ACP
We didn’t join ACP because we had to. We joined because we believe it represents the best way to serve our clients—honestly, thoroughly, and proactively.
Being part of ACP means we’ve made a long-term commitment to:
Lifelong learning and training
Adhering to fiduciary ethics
Delivering real-world value to our clients
Constantly improving our methods and tools
This aligns perfectly with our mission at Fortitude Financial: to help individuals and families build confidence and clarity in their financial lives.
Final Thoughts: Work with a Firm That Puts You First
Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision. You deserve one who will take the time to understand your goals, communicate clearly, and offer strategies that align with your long-term well-being—not their own commissions.
At Fortitude Financial, we are honored to be part of ACP because it means we can serve you better—plain and simple.
If you're ready to experience what it’s like to work with a truly comprehensive, tax-smart, client-first financial planner, we’d love to talk.
Feraud Calixte, J.D., CFP®
