Celebrating 50 Years of Trusted Financial Guidance
Founded on enduring principles and strengthened by experience, Searcy Financial® marks 50 years of serving clients with integrity and foresight. While markets evolve and circumstances change, our commitment remains the same: thoughtful guidance, long-term perspective, and decisions grounded in what matters most to our clients.
Our Legacy at a Glance
For 50 years, Searcy Financial® has grown alongside the clients and communities we serve. What began as a focused advisory practice has evolved into a nationally trusted firm–without losing sight of the relationships that define our work.
Combined 100+ Years Of Team Experience
National Reach And Multi-State
Long-Tenured Advisors And Trusted
Commitment To Financial Stewardship And Client Success
Investing Beyond the Balance Sheet
At Searcy Financial®, stewardship extends beyond financial capital. We believe strong communities are essential to long-term prosperity, and our firm has maintained a deep commitment to philanthropy and civic engagement for decades.
Our charitable partnerships reflect the same values that guide our client relationships: careful consideration, long-term commitment, and meaningful impact. Whether through sustained involvement or short-term, high impact opportunities and support, we aim to strengthen the communities where our clients and team members live and work.
50 Years, 50 Charities
A Trusted Presence, Nationwide
Over five decades, clients have placed their trust in Searcy Financial® across the country. Our reach reflects enduring relationships built on consistency, discretion, and results.
Our 50-Year Journey
For half a century, Searcy Financial® has helped clients navigate life’s milestones with confidence and purpose. What has carried us through every decade is our belief that financial planning is not just about numbers–it’s about people, families, and futures worth protecting.
1976
Searcy Financial® began as a solo insurance practice. From the very beginning, the firm aligned with the emerging financial planning movement, maintaining dual registration and charging planning fees separate from broker dealer and insurance commissions. This early structure reflected a belief in transparency and client-first advice long before it became common practice.
Through the ’80s
Throughout the 1980s, the firm steadily grew. New staff were added, the office moved from the Plaza to Overland Park, and the business transitioned from a sole proprietorship to a limited liability company. During this period, Searcy Financial® also registered with the SEC, formalizing its role as a regulated advisory firm.
Through the ’90s
During the 1990s, Searcy Financial® was an early adopter of the Schwab custodial platform, which allowed the firm to eliminate commissions on securities transactions. The firm also embraced fee-based financial planning early on, while continuing to advise on life, disability, and long-term care insurance. Continued growth led to another office move a few miles farther down south to allow room for the future.
Early 2000s
The firm adopted the TD Waterhouse platform, later known as TD Ameritrade Institutional, and changed its corporate structure from an LLC to an S Corporation. Leadership refined its hiring approach and committed to building a long-term ensemble firm rather than a single-advisor practice.
2006
Portfolio accounting, trading, billing, and reporting were outsourced, and all client accounts were converted to discretionary management. This change allowed the team to spend more time on planning, advice, and the work that matters most to clients.
2007
The firm increased its focus on serving retirement plans, expanding its institutional advisory capabilities.
2008
Searcy Financial® separated from its broker dealer and began operating as a fully independent registered investment advisory firm. A new CRM system was implemented to support the firm’s growing operations.
2009
The firm moved to asset-based pricing for custodian fees rather than transaction costs and transitioned most Schwab accounts to TD Ameritrade to take advantage of improved technology and service. An independent third party conducted a valuation of the firm. That same year, BusinessWeek named Searcy Financial® one of the Most Experienced Independent Financial Advisors.
2010
A second principal, Marc Shaffer, joined the firm’s leadership team. Searcy Financial® also launched Allos Investment Advisors, a subsidiary created to serve middle market clients with fee-only planning, no minimum account size, and no minimum fee.
2013
The firm received InvestmentNews’ Best Practices Award for Overall Use of Technology.
2014-2015
Trading was brought back in-house using a cloud-based service provider. The firm migrated its CRM to Salesforce and implemented DocuSign for new account onboarding. Searcy Financial® transitioned to a fully fee-only compensation model and continued to advise on insurance without implementing products.
2016
A third principal joined the partnership. The firm became a confirmed member of the National Association of the Personal Financial Advisors and received the National Investment Advisors Association Company of Character Award.
2018-2019
The leadership team continued to grow with the addition of a fourth principal in 2018 and a fifth principal in 2019.
2022
We publicly announced a formal transition of executive leadership: Jessica Searcy Kmetty became President & CEO, Marc Shaffer assumed the role of CFO, John Fales became Chief Compliance Officer, and Ryan Brooke became Chief Investment Officer.
2024
The firm was named one of Inc.’s Best Workplaces of 2024 and expanded service availability to clients in the Utah Valley and Salt Lake City area.
2025
Partner Marc Shaffer published his first book, One For All.
2026
Honoring the Past, Looking Ahead
While our visual identity has evolved over time, our core philosophy has remained constant. This progression reflects both the era in which we operate and our commitment to staying relevant, capable, and forward-looking.