Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 
Financial Compass Group, LLC (Source: Financial Compass Group, LLC)
Financial Compass Group, LLC is commemorating 20 years of serving business owners, individuals, and families with a thoughtful, planning-centered approach to financial decision-making. Since its founding, the firm has focused on helping clients bring structure and clarity to complex financial lives while supporting long-term personal, business, and lifestyle goals through an evolving range of advisory services designed to meet people where they are and grow with them.
“Reaching this point has made me reflect on why we began and how our thinking has matured along the way,” says Richard Shakter, a founding principal of Financial Compass Group. “What stands out to me is not how much has changed, but how much deeper our understanding has become of the responsibility clients place in us. Each relationship has shaped our perspective and reinforced the importance of staying flexible and remaining grounded in what truly matters to the people we serve.”
Richard Shakter (source: Financial Compass Group, LLC)
The firm’s journey began as an independent advisory practice built on a philosophy centered around people rather than products. From the outset, Financial Compass Group sought to provide clarity in financial decision-making by listening carefully to clients and tailoring strategies to their unique circumstances. This people-first mindset became the foundation for everything that followed.
In its early years, the firm’s work was closely tied to retirement plan consulting, often introduced through public accountants. Business owners were the primary focus, and the firm quickly recognized that their needs extended far beyond retirement planning. Entrepreneurs and accomplished professionals often faced financial lives where personal and business priorities were deeply intertwined. According to Shakter, supporting them required guidance that went beyond traditional investment conversations to include operational planning, succession considerations, and long-range personal goals. “We expanded our services to support multi-dimensional decision-making, integrating personal and business finances in a holistic way,” he says.
Over time, these relationships naturally broadened, and the firm’s services grew in scope. While business owners remained central to its mission, Financial Compass Group increasingly worked with individuals and families whose financial needs were equally complex. Today, the firm’s approach is more balanced, reflecting both the evolving needs of its clients and the growth of its advisory capabilities. Business owners continue to be a core focus, but the firm now serves a wider community with diversified offerings designed to meet clients at different stages of life.
A planning philosophy that avoids predefined solutions is at the heart of this evolution. Engagements begin with understanding how each client defines their lifestyle priorities, values, and aspirations. Only after developing a complete picture of a client’s financial world does the firm begin shaping strategies designed to support those goals. This process-oriented approach emphasizes asking thoughtful questions and helping clients frame decisions in ways that align with what they are trying to protect, build, or change. Flexibility is built into plans, with the expectation that circumstances, perspectives, and priorities will naturally evolve.
The breadth of services offered by Financial Compass Group reflects this holistic view. In addition to investment guidance, the firm provides retirement planning, estate and legacy considerations, insurance and risk management, employee benefit consulting, and business succession planning. These services are delivered as parts of a cohesive planning process rather than as isolated offerings, allowing clients to see how individual decisions connect to their broader financial picture. Long-term relationships are a defining element of this work, with ongoing conversations serving as a foundation for clarity and confidence over time.
Listening remains a core skill within the firm. Advisors devote significant time to discovery. “Clients often arrive with questions shaped by outside influences, and part of our role is helping them identify which questions truly matter in the context of their own lives,” Shakter remarks. By reframing conversations around purpose and priorities, Financial Compass Group seeks to support better-informed and more intentional decisions.
After two decades, Financial Compass Group remains a practice defined by customized planning and lasting client relationships. This milestone marks both reflection on its journey and preparation for the future. Technology is central to that future, with new tools designed to enhance the client experience, clarify financial information, and support thoughtful analysis. At the same time, Financial Compass Group continues to invest in its advisory team, uniting diverse perspectives and skills to drive sustained growth.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results, and all investments involve risks, including the possible loss of principal. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making decisions
Media Contact
Name: Richard Shakter
Email: rshakter@fcgemail.com
